"TimkenSteel's new jumbo bloom vertical caster improves both our efficiency and capacity to serve demand for large bars and seamless mechanical tubing," said Tom Moline, executive vice president of manufacturing. "The product quality that we're achieving with the caster is meeting our highest expectations."

The $200 million caster makes sections of special bar quality (SBQ) steel that measure up to 18 inches x 24 inches, referred to as "jumbo blooms," which are later rolled into bars and tubes. The first heat from the caster, produced on Oct. 21, 2014, was sold to a customer – a testament not only to the strength of the new technology, but the skill and expertise of the team operating it. The caster has now produced more than 45,000 tons of steel blooms in over 300 heats. It serves several markets, including industrial, energy, bearing, military and heavy machinery.

"The people who constructed this caster and who operate it today have made this plant the most technologically advanced steel-making operation in North America," Moline said at today's ceremony. "TimkenSteel is known for ultra-clean steel that's used in the world's most demanding applications. We're also known for continuously improving our efficiency. Those involved with this project raised the bar once again on both those counts."

About 200 people attended the commissioning ceremony, including Sen. Rob Portman, Rep. Bob Gibbs and Rep. Jim Renacci.

Rising more than 180 feet above ground and descending 90 feet below ground for an overall height of 270 feet, the caster utilizes a vertical design that allows for continuous casting of high-alloy grades. The design provides for uniform steel with better inclusion distribution.

The caster uses an optimized tundish design for industry-leading cleanness. Its advanced operating technology also includes electromagnetic stirring, dynamic soft reduction, air-mist cooling, and thermal treatment for optimized surface quality.

Faircrest Steel Plant offers the only combination in the world of a jumbo bloom vertical caster and in-line forge press, which together help improve sound centers in large-bar sizes.


Pictured above: The turret on TimkenSteel's jumbo bloom vertical caster holds two ladles containing molten steel and rotates the ladles over the caster.

TimkenSteel (www.timkensteel.com) creates tailored steel products and services for demanding applications, helping customers push the bounds of what's possible within their industries. The company reaches around the world in its customers' products and leads North America in large alloy steel bars (6"+) and seamless mechanical tubing made of its special bar quality steel, as well as supply chain and steel services. Operating from six countries, TimkenSteel posted sales of $1.7 billion in 2014.