Double Head Uncoiler for Tube Mills: Continuous Coil Loading and Faster Production

🔧 What Is a Double Head Uncoiler?

A Double Head Uncoiler is an automatic coil-feeding machine used at the entry section of a Tube Mill / ERW Tube Mill Line. Unlike a single-head uncoiler, it is equipped with two uncoiling heads, allowing two steel coils to be prepared on the machine at the same time.

During production, one head supplies the steel strip to the tube mill while the other head can be loaded with the next coil. When the running coil is nearly finished, the machine can switch to the second prepared coil, reducing coil-loading and changeover time.

This makes the double head uncoiler particularly useful for medium- and large-size tube mills, high-production tube mill lines, and applications where production efficiency is important.

⚙️ What Do the Two Heads Do?

The two heads are essentially two independent coil-supporting and uncoiling positions.

Head 1 — Running Position
The first head holds and uncoils the steel coil, feeding the strip continuously into the tube mill entry section.

Head 2 — Loading Position
The second head is used to load and prepare the next steel coil while the first coil is still running.

After the first coil is finished, the rotating frame changes the position of the two heads. The prepared coil then becomes the running coil.

👉 The main advantage is simple: one coil is running while the next coil is being prepared.

Each uncoiling head normally includes a hydraulic expansion mandrel. The mandrel expands inside the coil ID to firmly hold the coil and transmit the required torque during uncoiling.

🔄 How Does a Double Head Uncoiler Work?

A typical working process is:

Coil Loading → Hydraulic Mandrel Expansion → Coil Uncoiling → Strip Feeding → Coil Near End → Head Changeover → Next Coil Feeding

The hydraulic system controls the expansion and contraction of the mandrel, while the rotating mechanism switches the two coil positions.

This design helps reduce:

• ⏱️ Coil changeover time
• 🛠️ Manual coil preparation time
• ⛔ Production interruptions
• 👷 Operator workload

It is especially beneficial when the tube mill processes coils continuously at relatively high production speeds.

📊 Typical Double Head Uncoiler Parameters

The exact specifications should be selected according to the tube mill size, coil dimensions, strip material, coil weight, and production speed.

Note: The above values are typical reference ranges. The final design should be confirmed according to the customer's actual coil specifications and tube mill requirements.

🏭 Where Is a Double Head Uncoiler Used?

A Double Head Uncoiler is mainly used for coil-fed production lines where reducing coil changeover time is important.

Typical applications include:

• • ERW Tube Mill
• • Tube Mill Line
• • Pipe Mill
• • Steel Pipe Production Line
• • Slitting Line
• • Roll Forming Line
• • High-speed Coil Processing Lines

For tube mills, it is commonly selected for medium and large-size tube production, especially when the line uses relatively wide or heavy steel coils and requires stable continuous feeding.

For smaller tube mills with light coils and lower production requirements, a single-head uncoiler may be sufficient and more economical.

⭐ Why Choose a Double Head Uncoiler?

1. Faster Coil Changeover

The next coil can be loaded before the current coil is completely consumed, significantly reducing downtime.

2. Hydraulic Coil Clamping

The hydraulic expansion mandrel provides reliable contact with the coil ID and helps keep the coil stable during high-speed uncoiling.

3. Heavy Coil Capacity

The machine can be designed for heavy steel coils used by larger tube mills.

4. Better Production Continuity

Less time is spent stopping the line for coil preparation, which helps improve overall production efficiency.

5. Suitable for Large Tube Mills

For larger ERW pipe mills and tube mill lines, where coils are heavier and production speed is higher, the double-head configuration can provide a clear productivity advantage.

🔩 Double Head vs. Single Head Uncoiler

The choice should not be based only on equipment price. Coil weight, coil width, production speed, tube diameter, material thickness, and required production efficiency should all be considered.

💡 How to Select the Right Double Head Uncoiler?

Before designing the machine, it is important to confirm the following information:

1. Maximum coil weight
2. Maximum coil width
3. Steel strip thickness
4. Coil ID and OD
5. Steel material
6. Required uncoiling speed
7. Tube mill production speed
8. Tube diameter range

These parameters determine the required hydraulic motor, mandrel size, machine frame, expansion force, and coil-handling capacity.

For a customized Double Head Uncoiler, providing the actual coil specifications allows the machine to be matched correctly with the complete ERW Tube Mill Line.

🚀 Double Head Uncoiler for High-Efficiency Tube Production

For modern ERW Tube Mills, stable coil feeding is the first step toward stable pipe production. A hydraulic double-head uncoiler provides two coil positions, reliable hydraulic expansion, and faster coil changeover, making it an effective solution for large tube mills, heavy coils, and continuous steel pipe production.

AIS Machinery can design the Double Head Uncoiler according to the complete tube mill configuration, including coil size, strip thickness, tube diameter, line speed, and production requirements.