Ways to improve the processes of longitudinal rolling on a pipe rolling plant with a plug mill to reduce metal consumption and increase production output

The article delves into the critical challenges faced by pipe rolling plants with plug mills, particularly the stability of hollow billet rolling processes. It highlights significant design flaws, such as wall thickness eccentricity and pipe end ruptures, which lead to increased production rejects and equipment downtime. The study presents two innovative solutions: modified plug designs that enhance wall thickness uniformity and reduce metal consumption, and multi-groove rolls for guide tools that minimize metal flowing into the inter-roll gap, thereby reducing defects and downtime. The proposed designs have been validated through extensive pilot tests, demonstrating substantial improvements in production efficiency and quality. The article offers a comprehensive analysis of the problems and presents practical, data-driven solutions that can significantly enhance the performance of pipe rolling plants.