In a statement, SMS group said that with the capability to produce 28-inch tube, the continuous mill will be the largest in the world. It is being designed to produce 400,000 tons annually of piling and hollow structural sections. 

The mill will produce round sections in diameters ranging from 10 ¾ inches to 28 inches, with wall thickness of up to 1 inch. It also will produce 8- to 22-inch square hollows and rectangular hollows of up to 34 by 10 inches. 

Zekelman announced the project last week, saying the mill is designed to meet demand for domestically produced, larger-sized hollow structural sections. As it is, builders and fabricators don’t have access to domestically made, welded hollow squares larger than 16 inches, according to Zekelman Industries. 

Zekelman said one of the mill’s key specifications will be its quick changeover time of less than 60 minutes. It also will have special forming and sizing technology for precise dimensional tolerance.

SMS group, too, said, the line will meet the highest requirements for quality and production output.

“The computer-controlled SMS group CSS Quicksetting system ensures that the rolls can be adjusted automatically to their working positions after the size change. Further to an operational speed reaching 35 m/minute, the line offers superior diameter/wall thickness ratio capability which, along with a quick product changeover time, results in great product flexibility.”

SMS group said the new order furthers an existing relationship with Zekelman Industries.   

“The company has placed several orders with SMS group for the expansion and improvement of the product spectrum of the ERW lines installed in Harrow, Canada, and Blytheville, U.S.A. This latest order marks the next step in a successful cooperation between both companies,” it said.