According to SMS group, the project’s centerpiece will be the conversion of the plant’s existing Steckel mill to a tandem Steckel mill, boosting its capacity and allowing it to produce high-strength thin strip. To convert the mill, SMS group will install an additional high-performance mill stand downstream of the existing stand. 

“Both stands will be employed simultaneously for reversing roughing passes and finishing passes. The tandem arrangement of the stands also allows the use of special work rolls in one stand to manufacture base plates and checker plates,” SMS group said. 

A looper will be placed between the stands to optimize the strip tension and assist with speed control. Also, existing entry and exit-side Steckel furnaces will be replaced with new, closed furnaces. 

“These advanced furnaces are highly efficient at maintaining the right product temperature and protecting the roller tables against heat radiation. The improved furnace efficiency reduces the system’s natural gas consumption,” SMS group said.

The existing mill stand will be retrofitted with a new twin drive that ensures the top and bottom work rolls can be operated independently. The new mill stand will also be equipped with independent AC motors for driving the top and bottom work rolls, double reduction gears, and flat-journal drive shafts. 

“As the systems supplier in charge of the upgrade, SMS group will handle the modernization of the electrical and automation systems in the Steckel mill, including the main drives, sensors, measuring equipment and instrumentation, as well as the mill’s basic and process automation,” SMS group said.