Horizontal Strip Accumulator – The Reliable Buffer for Non-Stop Tube Welding

In high-speed tube mill machine lines, uninterrupted production depends on a reliable buffer between coil feeding and the forming section. The horizontal spiral strip accumulator (horizontal strip accumulator) is specifically designed to bridge coil changes, absorb speed fluctuations, and maintain a steady strip supply, keeping the mill running without costly stoppages.

How It Works

The strip accumulator operates in a continuous, repeatable sequence to guarantee non-stop mill feeding:

• Fast Fill-in Phase: The strip feeds into the accumulator at a speed faster than the exit speed. The loop count and stored length increase rapidly.
• Full Storage Phase: When the accumulator reaches full capacity (i.e., fill‑in speed equals or falls below the exit speed), the inlet pinching roll stops, while powered rollers continue driving the strip forward until the designed maximum storage is achieved.
• Strip Release & Supply: The strip is passively pulled out by the powered forming mill. It exits via the central inclined roll or spiral roll track, then passes through the outlet de‑twist guide stands, which turn the strip horizontally before it enters the forming mill.
• Cycle Repetition: Once one coil is fully consumed, the next coil begins filling in. This process repeats continuously, ensuring the tube mill line never stops.

Drive & Control Modes

The horizontal strip accumulator is available with either centralised chain drive or individually separate drives, offering flexible control options:

• Stop: for maintenance or idle periods
• High-speed feed in: for rapid coil changeovers
• Synchronised speed with tube mill: for balanced steady‑state operation
• Jog: for manual positioning and setup

The system is fully equipped with:

• Empty: storage detection with visual/audible alarms
• Full: storage detection with automatic control response
• Remote monitoring capability for centralised supervision

This enables completely automatic, unmanned operation under normal conditions in an ERW tube mill line.

Value Highlights

Heavy-Duty & Rugged Construction

Engineered with a robust mechanical structure and high‑strength components, the horizontal strip accumulator is built to withstand long‑term, heavily loaded operation in demanding industrial environments within a tube mill line.

High-Grade Materials for Extended Service Life

All rolls are manufactured from premium materials (20Cr and 45# steel) with advanced surface treatment, significantly enhancing wear resistance and ensuring a longer operational lifespan with reduced maintenance in tube mill machine applications.

Gentle Handling of Ultra-Thin Strips

Precision roll alignment and optimised material paths guarantee that even the thinnest strips pass through without:

• Jamming
• Folding
• Deformation
• Scratching

This is critical—surface quality directly determines the final welded tube’s appearance and structural integrity in ERW tube mill production.

Scientifically Calculated & Patented Exit Angle

The unique exit angle design minimises pulling resistance as the strip is drawn into the forming mill. This results in:

• Smoother strip delivery
• Reduced wear on forming mill rollers
• Lower energy consumption
• Extended service life of forming rollers

This patented feature delivers tangible operational cost savings over the long term in a tube mill line.

Large Storage Capacity for Higher Productivity

With a loop structure available in fixed number of loops or variable number of loops, the horizontal strip accumulator offers flexible storage capacity to match specific line speed and coil weight requirements. Greater storage means fewer coil changeovers, less scrap, and a significant boost in overall productivity on an ERW tube mill machine.

Fully Automatic & Unmanned Operation

The system requires no manual intervention during normal running. Combined with empty/full detection, alarming, and remote monitoring, it reduces labour costs and allows operators to focus on quality assurance and process optimisation in the tube mill line.

Technical Description

General Layout

• Entry: from the outer side
• Exit: from the centre
• Loop configuration: fixed or variable number of loops (determined by strip thickness: variable loops for thickness below 6 mm, fixed loops for thickness above 6 mm)
• Drive system: centralised chain drive or individually separate drives (both options available)

Inner Cage Rolls

Roll Type	Drive Mode	Material
Horizontal rolls	Idle	20Cr
Vertical (side) rolls	Idle	45#

Outer Cage Rolls

Roll Type	Drive Mode	Power	Material
Horizontal rolls	Powered (centralised chain drive or individual separate drive)	AC motor with VFD, 45 kW	20Cr
Vertical (side) rolls	Idle	–	45#

Transition Components

Transit rolls or guide plates between the outer and inner cages – idle – to smoothly guide the strip from one cage to the other in the horizontal spiral strip accumulator.

Central Inclined Roll Exit

• Mode: idle
• Function: ensures the strip exits at a consistent, controlled angle with minimal tension fluctuation
• Material: 20Cr for excellent wear resistance

Outlet De-twist Guide Stand

• Mode: idle
• Function: turns the strip horizontally before it enters the forming mill, ensuring proper alignment and reducing twisting stress
• Material: 20# steel

Engineered for Perfect Synergy

From the inlet pinch rolls and twist stands, through the inner and outer cage rolls, to the central inclined exit and outlet de‑twist guide stands—every component of this horizontal spiral strip accumulator is designed to work in concert.

This integrated system guarantees:

• Stable loop formation without overlapping
• Consistent tension control throughout storage and release
• Minimised pulling resistance at exit
• Precise strip delivery exactly when the downstream mill demands it

This accumulator ensures a steady strip supply for downstream processes, including precision cutting with the orbital milling type flying cutoff, helping to maintain accurate cut length and high tube quality in an ERW tube mill line.

The result is a seamless, dependable buffer that protects both product quality and production uptime in tube mill machine installations.

Technical review: SRET Engineering Team