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Chinese SBQ Maker Places New Order with Friedrich Kocks

Beiman Special Steel Co., Ltd. (part of the Dongbei Special Steel Group) located in Qiqihar, China, concluded a contract with Friedrich Kocks GmbH & Co KG of Hilden, Germany, for the delivery, assembly and commissioning of a reducing & sizing block (RSB) combined with the equipment and process for temperature-controlled rolling (LTR).
 
After positive results and experiences with the operation of a 3-roll RSB in the combined wire rod and bar mill at Dalian Special Steel, another subsidiary of the Dongbei Special Steel Group, Dongbei decided to expand and modernize its bar mill by implementing the 3-roll RSB technology of the independent family-owned KOCKS for trouble-free operation and quality improvement.
 
Once the modernization is complete, the mill will produce 504,000 metric tons per year of SBQ bars within the range of 16.0 mm to 100.0 mm Ø. The new 370-mm RSB in heavy-duty design, which will be equipped with four stand positions, will be designed for LTR at low temperatures. The RSB will be operated as finishing block in the existing bar mill downstream of the 2-high roughing and intermediate mill consisting of 20 stands. The 3-roll block is able to roll any finished size of the whole product range as straight length onto the cooling bed out of a few entry cross-sections from the roughing and intermediate mill. The rolling configuration program BAMICON calculates optimum adjusting values for motor speed, rolls and guides as well as gear stages depending on the requested finished product.
 
The LTR process with closed-loop control and corresponding equipment for  the whole mill line is also included in the order. KOCKS is in charge for the process’ know-how as well as for engineering and hardware.
 
For the first time, the KOCKS Microstructure Simulator (KMS) will be applied as sensible supplement to the LTR process. KOCKS developed KMS as a new software program for the process simulation in long product mills particularly designed for the 3-roll technology. It simulates the temperature development of the rolled product, calculates the quality and quantity of the micro-structural development and predicts the mechanical properties of the rolled cross-sections.
 
Furthermore, the scope of supply includes the quick automatic stand change system; the stand and roll workshop with quick roll change; CAPAS, the computer-aided system for precise adjustment of rolls and guides in the stand; and the remote control of passes and guides of the 3-roll stands in the mill line. The total package is completed by supervision of assembly, commissioning and training of customer’s personnel.
 
The KOCKS’ 3-roll RSB will enable Beiman Special Steel to meet continued high demand for SBQ in China’s growing automotive industry; thus strengthening and expanding its own market position.
 
Commissioning of the modernized bar mill with the new KOCKS 3-roll RSB in heavy-duty design is planned for the end of 2014/beginning of 2015.