APL Apollo’s continuous effort in R&D is an affirmation of its innovative aspiration to create a new market for structural steel tubes and redefine how infrastructure development is planned in India. These products are used in various building material applications and would replace existing conventional construction products like wood, aluminium, concrete, and steel angles and channels. We currently own 16 patents for our innovative products.
Direct Forming Technology (DFT)
DFT is the latest global technology for making hollow sections of superior quality, which reduces rollover time significantly. DFT is expected to lead to savings in raw material costs of ~3-7% and increased design flexibility, leading to higher product customization. The use of the technology is pioneered by APL Apollo in India, and we are the only company using this high tech production methodology in the most elaborate manner.
The DFT system is the result of many years of experience and knowledge in the tube field. The method brings undisputed advantages in terms of flexibility, production capability, and cost reduction. DFT is an exceptionally fruitful innovation that enables the possibility to produce any size included in the mill range, without roll change, resulting in an extreme reduction in set up time.
Pre-galvanized Tubes Technology (GP)
APL Apollo was the first company to introduce pre-galvanized (GP) Tubes in India when it commenced GP tube manufacturing in 2003. We pioneered the graduation from conventional galvanized products to pre-galvanized tubes and hollow sections, and also emerged as the only organized player of pre-galvanized tubes in India.
Pre-galvanized tubes are made from pre-galvanized sheets. Many preventive coatings are applied either before or after tube production, which prevents the steel from aging and rusting. These are pre-manufactured steel coils dipped in molten zinc, providing excellent corrosion resistance, where exposure to the outside element is common.
RSM
Technology
We implemented Rotary Sizing Mill (RSM) technology, from Kusakabe, Japan, a world leader in the tube making industry to develop high precision dynamically balanced steel tubes. With the introduction of RSM technology, APL Apollo produces dynamically balanced and cold-drawn precision tubes.
The RSM technology facilitates online adjustments that improve diametric accuracy and roundness and also enhances surface finish by eliminating roll marks usually caused by conventional mills. The result is that the tubes are increasingly used in multiple applications.