Accumulator - Coils

Accumulator in the context of metal processing, particularly in a tube or pipe mill, is a crucial intermediary device designed to ensure continuous, non-stop operation.

Function and Mechanism

The accumulator’s primary role is to store a reserve length of coiled metal strip between the decoiling section and the forming section of the mill. This storage capability directly addresses the unavoidable pauses required when the mill needs to switch from the depleted end of one coil to the leading end of a new coil—a process known as welding.

During the coil joining process, the upstream decoiler section stops. The accumulator immediately pays out the stored metal strip, which may be hundreds of feet long, allowing the downstream tube forming and welding sections to continue running uninterrupted. Once the new coil is spliced, the accumulator quickly rebuilds its reserve inventory. This continuous feed is indispensable for maximizing production efficiency and minimizing costly downtime in high-speed manufacturing.