Steel Dynamics (SDI), based in Fort Wayne, Ind., awarded the contract for a major expansion of its SBQ (special bar quality) plant at its Pittsboro, Ind., works to SMS Meer. This upgrade is to integrate a new reheating furnace, a roughing mill and a new threeroll PSM® (Precision Sizing Mill) into the facility. With this investment, the 5th biggest steel producer in the U.S. will strengthen its market position: in the future, SDI will be able to roll high-quality SBQ products in the small-diameter precision range.

"We wanted the most advanced three-roll sizing technology available in the market – that’s why we selected SMS Meer. With the PSM® we will be able to produce specialty bar qualities at highest precision with maximum flexibility," stated Barry Schneider, Vice President and General Manager of SDI in Pittsboro.

The PSM® is able to roll out of a single-pass family any steel grade, any size at any time and ensures a maximum availability of the rolling mill.

The new roughing mill will be operated in semi-continuous mode consisting of a two-high reversing mill followed by eight rigid housingless stands in H/V configuration which will feed the existing finishing mill.

The advanced three-roll PSM® will finish all special quality bars in the range of 1" - 3" round. Those high-quality products are used in a variety of transportation, industrial, energy and automotive applications. A particular advantage of the PSM® technology is the hydraulic adjustment under load which is unique in a three-roll sizing mill.

For the roughing mill package, SMS Meer supply includes all technological equipment starting from the outlet of the reheating furnace up to the finishing mill including descaler, shears and roller tables.

The PSM® package consists of a looper, two shear groups and in addition an automatic three-roll stand changing system, a roll shop for assembly of the three-roll stands and three-roll guides as well as the technology system CARTA® PSM® optimally adjusting products and finished sizes.

Moreover, MEERgauge® produces a closed-loop control system and interacts with a diameter gage at the exit of the PSM®. That assures best quality.

After its upgrade, the rolling mill will produce 500,000 tons per year. Commissioning of the renewed plant is scheduled for the end of 2013.