In a statement, Primetals Technologies said it will replace eight existing rolling stands with modern housingless Red Ring Series 5 units.

Primetals Technologies said the new stands are lighter and more easily moved from the rolling line to the workshop and back. 

“Red Ring stands will allow significantly shorter change times, and will make the maintenance operations easier and quicker. The series 5 of the Red Ring stands offers a prolonged lifetime of wear components,” it said. 

The company said the stands are being designed with a maximum working roll centerline distance of 785 mm and a roll barrel of 1,000 mm. For one of the two convertible stands, a new gear reduction group will be supplied with a twin selectable exit, apt to drive the stand in either horizontal or vertical configuration.

The chocks in the new stands will accommodate the radial bearings mounted in the existing stands, allowing rolls to be reused. 

Hot commissioning is scheduled for August.