Tooling manufacturer Paul Horn is expanding the range of products it supplies to the world’s leading manufacturers of equipment for machining pipes and sleeves used in oil and gas production, as well as to end users. The cost-effective OCTG (oil country tubular goods) machining solutions for use in API- and GOST-compliant as well as premium joint applications focus on ease of use. Standard and customer-specific tools are designed to deliver a productive edge over other tools in the areas of handling, service life and cost per threaded connection.
The tool systems are available with standard machine interfaces including VDI, polygonal shank and round shank holders and also as solutions that are flange-mounted on turrets. They are adapted to suit the production process, from manual loading through to full automation. Both the screw clamp and the ground geometries of Horn’s S117 and 315 systems, together with carefully matched tool holders, enable effective chip management.
There are no expensive parts such as chip breakers or shims to install, allowing customers to make significant savings when procuring tools. The two systems use substrates and coatings for the inserts that are tailored to the machining conditions, resulting in significant improvements in both cutting performance and tool life. The precise interchangeability provided by the precision insert seats reduces the number of tool adjustments needed after changing inserts.
During thread cutting in API- and GOST-compliant applications, the S117’s numerous teeth enable the number of cuts to be minimised. The 315 system has three usable cutting edges, leading to cost optimisation. It is an ideal choice for premium joints that permit no more than one to three teeth per cutting edge. The tool carrier is designed to work in harmony with the insert, increasing the stability of the system. It minimises vibration, which in turn improves surface quality, precision and tool life.
In applications involving pipes with profiles that comply with ANSI/API-5L, Horn offers tool solutions for pipe end finish machining in line with customers’ requirements. Mills can be used to machine pipe ends with a wall thickness of up to 50 mm. Integrated rollers compensate for any roundness errors and the workpieces produced comply with API tolerance requirements.
With its M101 cut-off milling system, Horn offers a purpose-developed tool for machining pipe ends after rolling and for separating sections for analysis. The tool can also be used for pipe and sleeve assembly. The S101 self-clamping inserts, featuring cutting widths of 2 mm and above, deliver precise interchangeability, accurate cuts and short machining times.
Horn’s extensive scope of in-house manufacture covers everything from producing blanks in its own carbide machining department, through grinding and production support to internally developed PVD coatings, keeping lead-times short. Furthermore, with the manufacturer’s Greenline system, for limited quantities Horn is able to offer delivery within one week of a drawing being approved by the customer.
Horn has expertise in machining a range of materials, from the easy-to-machine options of J55-K55, L80 and P110 to Q125 and on to highly alloyed materials like 13Cr or 28Cr. Increasing drilling depths and more aggressive operational environments mean that these corrosion-resistant alloys have become a focus in pipe manufacture, especially in HPHT (high pressure high temperature) fields.
Horn’s in-house produced HiPIMS coatings IG3 and HS3 exhibit smooth cutting properties, high heat resistance and minimal built-up edge. Tool geometry, substrate and coating are adapted to meet the requirements of each application.
