1. Technical Overview: Round-to-Square Forming Process
In ERW tube production, the processus de formage rond à carré is a key technique for manufacturing square and rectangular pipes. It involves reshaping a fully welded round tube into a square or rectangular section through a series of precision sizing and forming rolls under cold forming conditions.
Process Flow:
Raw material → Forming → HF Welding → Burr Removal → Cooling → Round-to-Square → Sizing → Flying Saw → Finished Pipe
Key Features and Technical Notes:
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Stepwise Deformation: The tube undergoes three stages: pre-forming, transitional forming, and final shaping, progressively transforming the round section into a square.
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Cold Bending Principle: The shaping relies on plastic deformation across multiple roll passes to gradually modify the profile.
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Precision Control: Equipped with CNC adjustments and inline measuring systems to ensure dimensional accuracy and edge/angle precision.
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Flexible Tooling: Only the final forming and sizing rolls need to be replaced for different specifications, allowing fast product changeovers.
Technical Advantages:
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High dimensional accuracy and straight edges with clean corners
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Centralized weld seam, ensuring better structural performance
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Reduced energy consumption and tooling wear compared to direct square forming
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Widely used in construction, mechanical frames, furniture tubing, and automotive profiles
2. BASIC DESIGN DATA
La conception de la ligne proposée est basée sur les spécifications suivantes :
Spécification des matières premières
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Raw Material Feeding
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CR bright tube with oiled, Galvanized steel, HR coil
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Résistance à la traction du matériau
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Max 517MPa (75 000 psi max)
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Limite d'élasticité du matériau
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Max 460 MPa (67 000 psi max)
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Diamètre extérieur de la bobine
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1200 mm à 2000 mm
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ID de la bobine
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508mm&610mm (customer order)
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Poids de la bobine
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Max 7000 kg
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Largeur de la bande
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Min 240mm, Max520mm
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Épaisseur de la bande
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Min2.0mm Max6.35mm
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Gamme de production
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Type de production
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▪Tubes ronds
▪Sections creuses carrées et rectangulaires
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Tube rond diamètre extérieur
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Min 76mm, Max 165mm
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Épaisseur du tube rond
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Min 2.0mm, Max 6.35mm
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Section creuse carrée
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Dimensions minimales : 60 x 60 mm, dimensions maximales : 130 x 130 mm
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Section creuse rectangulaire
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Min 80 x 40 mm, Max 100 x 160 mm
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Épaisseur des tubes carrés et rectangulaires
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Min2.0mm, Max 5.0mm
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Longueur de coupe du tube
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Min 6 meter, Max 12 meter
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Spécifications de la ligne
Forming Section
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Matériau de la tige :
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40Cr, HF tempering quenching
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Matériau de l'engrenage conique :
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20CrMnTi
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Support motorisé
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7 ensembles
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Étau
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8 ensembles
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Boîte de vitesses
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7 ensembles
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Sizing Section
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Matériau de la tige :
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40Cr, revenu HF trempe
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Matériau de l'engrenage conique :
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20CrMnTi
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Support motorisé
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5 ensembles
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Étau
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5 ensembles
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Boîte de vitesses
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5 ensembles
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Déroulement de la chaîne de production
Forming section(Flattening unit +Main driving unit +Forming unit +Guide unit +squeeze roller)+ De-burr frame →→Cooling unit →→ Sizing unit and straightener

2. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Why choose the round-to-square process instead of direct square forming?
A: The round-to-square method ensures better weld seam alignment, stronger structural integrity, and greater tooling flexibility, especially for mid-to-thick wall and high-strength materials.
Q2: How is the corner quality controlled? What are the common issues?
A: Corners are formed through gradual pressing in multiple roll passes. Issues like cracking, over-rounded corners, or misalignment can be resolved by optimizing roll design and adjusting pressure settings.
Q3: How to prevent weld seam misalignment during forming?
A: Keep the weld seam centered after welding and ensure symmetrical roll forces during forming. Optional weld seam tracking systems can further stabilize seam position.
Q4: Do we need to replace the entire roll set when changing specifications?
A: No. Only the round-to-square and sizing sections need to be changed, significantly reducing downtime and tooling costs.
Q5: What causes edge waviness or "bamboo-like" defects?
A: These are typically due to excessive deformation per pass or improper roll design. Adjusting the deformation rate and optimizing pressure balance in the sizing unit can solve this.
Q6: Is round-to-square suitable for small-size thin-wall tubes?
A: Generally not. Thin-wall small tubes are prone to instability or cracking during transformation. Direct square forming is more appropriate for such sizes.