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Danieli to Modernize Third Caster for Sollac Atlantique Facility in Dunkerque

12/03/2007 - Danieli will convert twin-strand caster CC21 to a vertical-curved design as part of the third and final stage of the complete rebuild of slab casting facilities at ArcelorMittal’s facility in Dunkerque, France.

ArcelorMittal and Danieli have agreed to start the third and final stage of the complete rebuild of slab casting facilities at the company’s Dunkerque, France, site as part of what has become known as the “acierie du future” (meltshop of the future) project.
 
The overall project, which started in March 2004, has been implemented in three distinct phases, one per year, each involving the complete rebuild of one of the existing twin-strand slab casters, originally supplied by Demag in 1972.
 
As already done for the CC23, all the main technological equipment of the twin-strand caster CC21 will be completely rebuilt, from the mould to the last segment, converting it from a curved geometry with a main radius of 10.5 meters to a vertical-curved geometry with vertical portion exceeding 2.2 meters and a main radius of 8.2 meters, specifically conceived for the production of IF (interstitial-free) grades for exposed automotive applications.
 
Goals for the project include improved slab quality (particularly internal quality), converting the machine from curved to vertical-curved design, and increasing the casting speed by incorporating an increased containment length. To reduce caster production downtimes, the caster will utilize a fully-segmented design, including application of a top-feeding dummy bar practice and the use of a fully automatic robotized manipulator for segment replacement. Reliability will increase with the new caster’s advanced low-maintenance design.
 
The CC21 caster upgrade will be implemented during an extremely short shutdown period, scheduled during winter 2008. The project follows the successful rebuild of continuous caster CC23, which started up in December 2006, and the complete rebuild of slab caster CC22, which is currently under construction.
 
With this most recent order, ArcelorMittal has adopted Danieli technology in 13 slab casting strands, including casters at Sidmar (Belgium), Stahlwerke Bremen (Germany), Sollac Dunkerque and Sollac Fos-sur-Mer (France), and Acesita (Brazil) production sites.
 
ArcelorMittal Dunkerque is one of the largest European steel producing sites and a leading European producer of steel for automotive applications.