In a statement, SMS group said the contracted improvements focus on the Compact Strip Production caster and strip mill at SDI’s Columbus, Miss., USA, plant. 

SMS group said it is outfitting the caster with its Liquid Core Reduction (LCR®), X-Pact Solid Control thermal model and its HD moldTC mold monitoring system. The addition of the LCR system will give the caster added flexibility, allowing it to cast in thicknesses of between 55 mm and 80 mm.

"This thickness range allows for more efficient and improved production capability for advanced high-strength steels and line pipe steel grades.”

The mold width adjustment and mold level control programs are also being upgraded. 

At the strip mill, SMS is upgrading the hydraulic automation gauge control (HAGC) cylinders on stands F1 and F2.  Also, the level 2 system and pass schedule tuning at the hot strip mill will be modified to accommodate the improvements to the caster and the strip mill.

Steel Dynamics last year announced that it was planning US$90 million to US$100 million worth of upgrades to certain process lines and to the strip mill. It said at the time that the upgrades are intended to further diversify its product range and increase process efficiency. 

“The added investments will continue to improve the process control needed for advanced high-strength steel grades used in the automotive industry," the company has said. 

Commissioning is to begin in July.