In a modern ERW Tube Mill, forming and welding are only part of the production process. After the pipe is sized and cut to the required length, it still needs to be transferred, aligned, buffered, inspected, and collected.

This is where the Conveyor and Run Out Table becomes important.

Although it is an auxiliary machine rather than a forming or welding unit, a properly designed run out system can make the whole tube mill run more smoothly, reduce manual handling, and protect the surface of finished pipes. ⚙️

🔹 What Is a Conveyor and Run Out Table?

A Conveyor and Run Out Table is a pipe handling system installed in the downstream section of a tube mill or pipe production line.

It consists mainly of a supporting frame, rollers or conveying mechanisms, drive units when required, and control components.

Its main job is simple:

Receive → Convey → Support → Align → Buffer → Discharge

The system safely receives pipes after cutting and moves them toward inspection, stacking, bundling, or packing equipment.

For an ERW tube mill, it works as a connection between the cutting section and the finishing/packing section.

Typical Production Flow

Uncoiling → Forming → High-Frequency Welding → Sizing → Flying Saw / Cold Saw → Conveyor & Run Out Table → Inspection → Stacking / Packing

The exact layout can be customized according to the workshop and downstream equipment.

🔹 What Does a Conveyor & Run Out Table Do?

1. Smooth Pipe Conveying

The conveyor transfers pipes from one section to another with controlled movement.

This is particularly important for high-speed tube mills, where manual handling cannot keep up with production speed.

2. Support Finished Pipes

The rollers provide continuous support for the pipe during transportation and discharge.

For heavy-wall or large-diameter pipes, the roller arrangement and frame strength need to be designed according to the actual pipe weight.

3. Reduce Surface Damage

Finished pipes may already have a high-quality surface after welding, sizing, and cutting.

Proper roller design and controlled conveying help reduce unnecessary scratching, impact, and pipe-to-pipe collision.

4. Buffer the Production Line

The run out table can provide temporary space between cutting and downstream operations.

This helps prevent small interruptions in the finishing section from immediately affecting the upstream tube mill.

5. Improve Pipe Alignment

A well-designed discharge system keeps pipes moving in a controlled direction, making them easier to inspect, collect, stack, or bundle.

6. Reduce Manual Handling

Instead of manually moving every finished pipe, the conveyor transfers the material automatically or semi-automatically.

Less manual handling = smoother production + better working efficiency. 🚀

🔹 Conveyor vs. Run Out Table — What's the Difference?

Although the two terms are often used together, they can have slightly different functions.

In practical tube mill applications, the two systems are often designed as one integrated pipe handling system.

The final configuration depends on the pipe size, pipe length, production speed, pipe weight, workshop layout, and downstream equipment.

🔹 Main Components

A typical Conveyor & Run Out Table may include:

Supporting Frame

The heavy-duty frame supports the rollers and the conveyed pipes. Its structure is selected according to the maximum pipe weight and working conditions.

Conveying Rollers

Rollers provide support and guide the pipe during transportation.

Depending on the application, rollers can be designed with different materials or surface treatments to suit the pipe surface requirements.

Drive System

For powered conveying sections, motors and transmission components provide controlled pipe movement.

For some run out sections, non-driven or gravity-assisted designs can also be used.

Guide / Alignment System

Guide components help maintain the correct pipe direction and make the finished tubes easier to collect and stack.

Control System

The conveyor can be operated independently or integrated with the tube mill control system.

For automatic lines, the conveying speed and discharge action can be coordinated with the cutting machine and downstream equipment.

🔹 Technical Parameters

The parameters of a Conveyor & Run Out Table are not fixed, because the system should be designed according to the actual tube mill.

Important: These are design parameters rather than universal machine specifications. The final dimensions, motor power, roller spacing, conveying speed, and load capacity should be calculated from the customer's actual pipe range and production requirements.

🔹 How Do We Design the Right Run Out Table?

A good run out table is not simply a long table with rollers.

Several factors need to be considered:

Pipe Diameter

Larger pipes require an appropriate roller diameter, spacing, and supporting structure.

Wall Thickness & Pipe Weight

Heavy pipes place higher loads on rollers, bearings, frames, and drive components.

Pipe Length

The length of the finished pipe affects the table layout and discharge method.

Production Speed

The conveyor must be able to match the output of the tube mill and cutting machine.

Surface Requirements

For stainless steel, galvanized steel, painted pipes, or other surface-sensitive products, the roller surface and conveying method should be selected carefully.

Workshop Layout

The conveyor length, direction, height, and connection points should match the customer's actual production floor.

Downstream Equipment

If the line is connected to an automatic stacking, bundling, or packing system, the run out table should be designed as part of the complete finishing section.

⭐ Why Is the Run Out Table Important?

The run out table may look like a simple auxiliary machine, but it has a direct influence on the finishing section of a tube mill.

A good system should achieve:

Stable Conveying + Accurate Discharge + Less Manual Handling + Surface Protection + Continuous Production

In other words, the goal is not simply to move the pipe.

The goal is to make sure the pipe reaches the next process smoothly, safely, and at the right time.

That is why the Conveyor & Run Out Table should be considered together with the complete ERW Tube Mill production line, rather than as an isolated piece of equipment.

🔧 Customized Conveyor & Run Out Table

Different tube mills require different conveying solutions.

We can design the Conveyor & Run Out Table according to:

• Pipe diameter range
• Wall thickness
• Pipe length
• Maximum pipe weight
• Production speed
• Cutting method
• Workshop layout
• Automatic stacking or packing requirements

From a simple roller run out table to an integrated automatic pipe handling system, the configuration can be matched to the actual production requirements.

Looking for a Conveyor & Run Out Table for your ERW Tube Mill?

Send us your pipe diameter, wall thickness, pipe length, production speed, and layout requirements. We can recommend a suitable conveying and run out solution for your production line. ⚙️