According to SMS group, the mill’s entry section and its four stands were replaced. The mill now uses 4-high stands outfitted with SMS group’s CVC plus technology, its X-Pact electrical and automation system, and its X-Shape flatness measuring and control system. 

“A major challenge was to implement the replacement of the complete stands. The individual construction phases had to be scheduled such that the production was not to be affected until the main shutdown of the mill. SMS group planned and implemented the dismantling and assembly closely with PAO Severstal,” SMS said in a statement. 

SMS replaced the drive train on the first mill stand, outfitting it with a modern synchronous motor and the related converter equipment. The motors on the remaining stands were kept, but retrofitted with new control equipment, SMS said. 

The work was primarily carried out during a three-month outage. In that window, the old equipment was dismantled; the new equipment was installed and commissioned; and the first coil was rolled. 

“Thanks to the meticulous planning, the (plug and play) concept implemented by SMS group and the efficient cooperation of all parties involved in the project, the conversion work and the subsequent commissioning of the plant could be performed in a record time.”