Schedule

3–6 March 2025 • The Hilton Garden Inn Nashville • Nashville, Tenn., USA

Monday, 3 March 2025

4 p.m.Registration
5 p.m. Reception

Tuesday, 4 March 2025

7 a.m.Registration/Breakfast
8 a.m.Introductions
Brian Smith, ANDRITZ Metals USA Inc.
8:05 a.m.Introductions, Overview and Definition of General Terms for Processing
Chad Donovan, SMS group Inc.
8:40 a.m.Entry-Level Introductions to Finishing Lines and Automation Trends
Tony Latham, SES Engineering  
9:30 a.m.Break
9:45 a.m.Incoming Material
Mark Zipf, Steel Dynamics Inc. 
This presentation examines the characteristics of the material that arrives at the entry end of process lines and finishing equipment. The first point of discussion involves gaining an understanding of the material’s typical dimensional geometry, metallurgical characteristics, mechanical properties, surface conditions and flatness. This leads to a review of methods specifying and standardizing the incoming material, such that it falls within the capabilities envelops of the process and finishing equipment. Next is a quick look at where the material comes from, and the upstream, multistage processes involved in its formation, providing some key insight into what to expect and what can go wrong.  The discussion then takes a tour of the many defects and unsettling conditions that the process and finishing end should anticipate and must be prepared to contend with.
10:45 a.m.Break
11 a.m.Incoming Material (cont’d)
Mark Zipf, Steel Dynamics Inc. 
Noon Lunch
1 p.m. Control Basics for Processing Lines
Thomas Richards, TMEIC Corp. America
 An overview of control techniques applied to processing lines will be presented. Basic processing line control examples are provided for illustration.

1:45 p.m.

Coil Joining Using Resistance Welding
Matt Keller, Taylor-Winfield Technologies Inc.
This presentation will give an overview of resistance welding and the styles and techniques used to join coil using resistance welds in continuous process lines.

2:05 p.m.

Laser Welding Technologies for Processing Lines
Stanislas Mauuary, Clecim SAS
This presentation will go over the benefits of laser welding machines for processing and finishing lines in terms of process and support to the operation.

2:25 p.m.Comparative Analysis of Current and Emerging Weld Inspection Techniques for Catching and Preventing Weld Failures
Andrew Sauerwald, Tecnar Automation
Discussion of current technologies for weld testing, how they work and pros/cons. Discussion of the Weldspector technology, how it works and pros/cons. Summary of testing and operational results from the second installation site.
2:45 p.m.Break
3 p.m.

Pickling Technology: Carbon and Stainless Steels
Jay Kremm, Danieli Corp.
The goal of this presentation is to provide an overview of the pickling process and the key equipment that makes it happen. While the focus will be mainly on carbon steel pickling, it will also touch on the differences between that and the stainless steel processing requirements. From the equipment side, the presentation will review the various configurations of pickling lines that exist and look closer at the key equipment that allows a modern line to produce to today’s high standards.

3:45 p.m.Advancements and Opportunities in Strip Cleaning Section Optimization
Eric Almquist, Star Tool & Die Works, Inc.
Surface cleanliness is critical for some aspects of steel processing, particularly those related to applying coatings or annealing surface-critical materials. This presentation will provide a brief overview of sheet cleaning fundamentals, goals, the most common mistakes, and practical methods to evaluate cleanliness before finishing with recent advancements and opportunities. 
4:30 p.m.Fundamentals of Leveling
Tyler Delong, Allor Manufacturing Co. 
This session will discuss the purpose, process and applications of leveling. 
5 p.m.Adjourn

Wednesday, 5 March 2025

7 a.m.Registration/Breakfast
8 a.m. Annealing
B.J. Austin, EBNER Furnaces Inc.
This presentation covers thermal processing of strip and various associated equipment used to achieve this.
8:45 a.m.Skinpass/Temper Rolling
Mark Zipf, Steel Dynamics Inc. 
This presentation provides an overview of skinpass and temper rolling, with an emphasis on “why we are doing this” and “how all this works.” Starting with a study of the material’s yielding and deformation behavior, the strip’s surface structure, and the concepts of profile, shape and flatness, an understanding of the key factors is established, warranting the rolling deformation process and governing its objectives. Next, classical rolling mill arrangements are reviewed, and the discussion examines the force-loaded conditions/reactions occurring within the roll bite, leading to how these actions impart certain transformations of the material’s geometry, surface condition and mechanical properties. The mill’s equipment is then dissected with a focus on the general arrangement and roll gap/shape actuators, combined with the mill’s control strategies and systems. Methods of performance measurement/quality evaluation are introduced, along with an examination of problems and shortcomings that are often experienced. The presentation closes with a comparison of differing mill formats and a review of recent developments in enhanced quality and productivity.
9:30 a.m.Break
9:45 a.m.Skinpass/Temper Rolling (cont’d)
Mark Zipf, Steel Dynamics Inc. 
10:30 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m.Continuous Hot-Dip Galvanizing
Chris Shuff, ANDRITZ Metals USA Inc.
This presentation provides an overview of the operation of a continuous galvanizing line, highlighting the key processes and equipment involved in producing high-quality galvanized steel. Participants will gain insights into each stage of the process, including strip preparation, annealing, zinc coating application, air knife control and post-treatment processes. The presentation will explain the critical role of temperature, coating thickness control and line speed in ensuring consistent product quality.
11:45 a.m.Bilstein Cold Rolled Steel (BCRS) Plant Overview
Noon Lunch
12:30 p.m.Depart for Plant Tour of Bilstein Cold Rolled Steel (BCRS) Plant 
5–6 p.m.Reception

Thursday, 6 March 2025

7 a.m.Breakfast
7:55 a.m. Introductions and Opening Remarks
Brian Smith, ANDRITZ Metals USA Inc.
8 a.m.

Automated Surface Inspection of Sheet and Finished Product
Greg Gutmann, ISRA Vision Parsytec Inc.
This presentation will give an overview of automated surface inspection systems: what comprises a system, what it does that a human cannot do and the benefits of deploying a system. It will provide a basic introduction to camera technologies, including line and area scan, and how defects are detected and defined. Attendees will learn how an automated inspection system can be deployed in the production environment of a sheet processing and finishing line. The presentation will also discuss new automated inspection system technologies in development that can be deployed where they have previously been blocked by space or the environment.

8:45 a.m.Flatness Measurement and Control
Brian Smith, ANDRITZ Metals USA Inc.
9:30 a.m.Break
9:45 a.m.The Chemical Process of Steel Strip Cleaning and How to Enhance Performance
Andreas Wierschan, Quaker Houghton
This presentation details how the physical processes, chemical reactions and parameters of the cleaning section enable efficient steel cleaning. Methods for optimizing and maintaining the performance of the cleaner bath will also be discussed. 
10:45  a.m.Tinplating — As Relevant Now as Eve
Matt Gilfillan, United States Steel Corporation
Tin mill products are cold-reduced, low-carbon steel sheet produced in light gauges. These products are used in the manufacture of food and aerosol cans and other general line applications.
11:30 a.m.Paint Lines Overview
Nikhil Kulkarni, Steel Dynamics Inc. – Flat Roll Group Jeffersonville Plant
This presentation provides an overview of how color coating lines produce flat-rolled prepainted steel. It will discuss the coating process and some common quality-related issues.
Noon Lunch

1 p.m.

Corrosion Preventives and Surface Treatments
Andreas Wierschan, Quaker Houghton
This presentation will go over the different classes of corrosion preventives and surface treatments and how they protect steel against corrosion and/or impart the steel with other beneficial properties. It will review how the properties and application parameters of process fluids impact performance, and methods for optimizing and maintaining product performance.

2 p.m.

Key Units for Line Integration
Jochen Muenker, GEORG North America Inc.
This presentation will discuss key units for integration or replacement in existing lines to match higher efficiency and new material demands.

3 p.m.Break
3:15 p.m.Slitting Mechanics and Slitter Tooling for Modern Metal Processing
Brian Shaw and Jim Robbins, ANDRITZ Metals USA Inc.
This presentation will cover the basic fracture mechanics of sidetrimming steel. This information will be the basis for describing how to adjust sidetrimming knife clearance to optimize the quality of the sidetrimmed edge.
4 p.m.Line Equipment, Component Life Cycle and Quality
Chris Mitrecic, ANDRITZ Metals Inc.
This presentation provides an overview of slitting and cut-to-length lines, focusing on their key components and maintenance best practices that minimize downtime and enhance reliability over the lifespan of the equipment. The presentation will also explore opportunities for rebuilds and retrofits, showcasing how modern upgrades aid in improving productivity, maintenance concerns, and the overall production.
4:30 p.m.Packaging of Coils and Sheets
Steve Hart, Dubose Strapping
5 p.m. 

Adjourn Conference