Abstract: The present invention relates to a plant 10 for rolling a seamless tube. The plant comprises a rotary piercer 20 which is designed to pierce a billet 11 pressed against a plug 22 mounted on a rod so as to obtain a pierced blank 12. The rod is connected to a thrust block 26 designed to oppose the axial thrust which is produced on the rod during piercing. The plant also comprises a longitudinal mill 30 which is designed to roll the pierced blank 12 on a mandrel 32 so as to obtain a semi-finished tube 13. The mandrel is connected to a retaining block 34 designed to impart to the mandrel a predetermined speed during rolling. In the plant according to the invention the thrust block 26 and the retaining block 34 are formed by a single thrust/retaining block 36. The invention also relates to a method for rolling a seamless tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact plant 10 for rolling a seamless tube. The plant comprises a rotary piercer 20 which defines a rolling axis XPR and is designed to pierce a billet 11 pressed against a plug 22 mounted on a rod so as to obtain a pierced blank 12. The rod is connected to a thrust block 26 designed to oppose the axial thrust during piercing. The plant also comprises a longitudinal mill 30 which defines a rolling axis XLL and is designed to roll the pierced blank 12 on a mandrel 32 so as to obtain a semi-finished tube 13. The mandrel is connected to a retaining block 34 designed to impart to the mandrel a predetermined speed during rolling. In the plant 10 according to the invention the rolling axes XPR and XLL coincide. The invention also relates to a method for rolling a seamless tube.