“We have utilized KOCKS sizing technology with great success and satisfaction in our rolling facilities in both Ohio and Wisconsin since 2002,” Charter Steel president Tim Lorg said in a statement. 

“Our decision to utilize this exceptional company and their leading-edge equipment again for this expansion was once again based on a superior and unique approach that will help Charter Steel continue to differentiate itself in the market with higher levels of both product quality and manufacturing flexibility,” he said.  

Charter Steel announced the US$150 million expansion earlier this year, saying that the new SBQ mill would help it reach into new markets and would increase its production flexibility. The mill will produce rounds in diameters of between .75 and 3.25 inches and in lengths of between 12 and 50 feet. 

KOCKS, which specializes in tube, wire rod and bar rolling mills, will outfit the mill with its KOCKS 4D Eagle profile gauges, which provide feedback to the size control system. The input allows for real-time adjustments. 

“The light section profile gauge measures the rolled bar shape and tolerance in addition to providing real-time feedback to the KOCKS SCS system to further improve rolling tolerances and product consistency. The profile gauge also provides statistical evaluation of the data, which can be archived on a standard database for product traceability,” the company said in a statement. 

The new mill is to come on-line in the second half of 2018. It is the family-owned company’s largest single investment in its 81-year history.