In July, Chinese steel producer Dong Bei Special Steel Group Co. Ltd. issued Siemens VAI Metals Technologies the final acceptance certificate for a new bar mill at their site in Dalian in the province of Liaoning. The rolling mill produces 140 tons of rounds per hour made of special steels with diameters up to 310 mm. The plant rolls high grade stainless steel, bearing and tool steels, and steel bars for the automobile industry.

Siemens designed the complete process equipment and supplied key components for Dong Bei’s bar rolling mill in Dalian Liaoning. A crucial element was the installation of a reversible 2-high blooming stand. With a roll diameter of 1060 mm and a working centerline of up to 1700 mm, it is one of the largest systems of this type in the world. It has an inline quick-change system for simple and fast replacement of rollers and installed parts. This reduces tooling times and costs.

Also included in the scope of supply were an intermediate line and a finishing line, each with four Red Ring rolling stands, two abrasive saws, as well as transfer systems to the hot and cold cutting systems for material with diameters up to 360 millimeters. Compared to conventional plant layouts, the combination of reversible blooming stand with continuous intermediate and finishing lines enables improved control of the bar temperature during rolling, as well as tighter tolerances. In addition, Siemens designed the billet shears, the cooling beds and boxes, the equipment for bundling and handling the finished bars, as well as the air-oil lubricating system. Siemens also monitored the assembly and commissioning operations.