How Tanks Are Assembled at NTZMK

So, the real “tank” emerged last week at the 7th span of the steel structure workshop. Of course, assembling mechanics V.I. Romanov, S.L.Kalugin, A.A.Samoilin and S.V.Shitov were not instructed to manufacture a combat vehicle, but the original meaning of the word “tank” implies it will be”basin”, “cistern”, “reservoir”. But the assembled product can easily compete with military-purpose manufactured products by weight or by dimensions or quality, and by performance accuracy.

– It is quite difficult and time-consuming work, – tells 5-category steel structure assembler Sergei Kalugin about the pre-assembly of the 23-ton bulk material bunker annular element for JSC “Sukholozhsktsement”. – To comply with all the geometrical parameters it is necessary to produce an exact layout in three dimensions, to monitor that the cuts should exactly match the geometry of the structure. The size and weight of grades, which not every assembly plate are able to withstand, impose some specific characteristics. Therefore, before starting to work, the geometry is adjusted by an electronic leveling. Much depends on how well the center of gravity is levelled on each of the design elements for their tilting and moving. However, we have an extensive experience in working with similar structures in pre-assemblies and control assemblies, so this order will not cause any particular difficulties.

It is not new for NTZMK to work with such capacitive structures for industrial enterprises. Engineer Technologist V.I.Kalegin shares the experience in their manufacturing:

– A lot of such structures of cylindrical shape: a variety of tanks, bunkers – have been manufactured by us in previous years – says the engineer with over 30 years of experience in working at the plant – the assembly of the blast furnace shell No. 6 by NTMK at the 10th span was one of the most significant projects, when the height of the assembled construction was limited by the height of the placement of bridge cranes in the workshop.

Of course, in the case of the tank under order of 3064, no such difficulties should arise. In comparison with the 1980s, the equipment has been fundamentally changed, the semi-finished product manufacturing precision has been improved – we have no need to increase the design height. Pre-assembly, in this case, allows avoiding the welding deformation. Having circled the ring element and having strengthened it with its longitudinal and transverse stiffeners, we weld all the available stitches in the so-called “apron”. Once the geometry of the structure is checked by the Quality Control Department and disassembled, all the remaining seams are welded, and after the application of corrosion protection this so called “ring” will be ready for shipment to the customer in four separate marks.

Such technologies for the manufacturing of industrial machinery have been advanced at the plant for decades, but difficult rolling, assembly phasing, welding quality, of course, require good working skills and make this order noteworthy.

The volume of the order is small: just over 90 tons. At NTZMK we just put several “rings” of the tank itself, similar to that described, and supports and this order will be shipped to our colleagues in the construction workshop – to the cement manufacturers from Sukhoi Log, where it will serve purely for peaceful purposes.