ThyssenKrupp VDM in Altena, Germany, is strengthening its position in the market and has therefore ordered a regulating-wheel grinder of the RSM 60 type with complete finishing line from SMS Meer, Germany.
From May 2013, ThyssenKrupp VDM will be able to produce up to 13-m long round bars of high quality in Altena. The products are used i.a.in the aircraft, aerospace and automotive industries and in the field of oil exploration.
High degree of automation
The regulating-wheel grinder from SMS Meer pre-or finish-grinds round bars of steel and NF metals in a single pass. The RSM 60 is of very torsionally rigid design, permits high cutting rates and has a high diameter tolerance. It easily grinds even high-strength bars and bars made of materials which are difficult to machine.
The large working range of 6 to 125 mm diameter and bar lengths up to 13 m makes the material feeding a particular challenge: coils of up to 100 bars have to be reliably separated and loaded into the machine, otherwise machine standstills are the consequence. SMS Meer solves the problem with a special step separation system.
In future, ThyssenKrupp VDM will monitor the sophisticated processes on the new machine with a high degree of automation: machine control, process monitoring and diameter control as well as the linkage to the PDA system all from part of the order.
The supply is completed by systems for emuIsion treatment and air extraction. SMS Meer also provides the complete assembly.
The new grinding line is scheduled to go into operation in May 2013.
Steel Dynamics opts for advanced three-roll technology from SMS Meer
Steel Dynamics (SDI) from fort Wayne, Indiana, USA, awarded the contract for a major expansion of the SBQ (Special Bar Quality) plant at its Pittsboro/Indiana works to SMS Meer. This upgrade is to integrate a new reheating furnace, a roughing mill and a new three roll PSM (Precision Sizing Mill) into the facility. With this investment the 5th biggest steel producer in the USA strengthens its market position: in 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,’’ states 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, MEER gauge 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 tpy. Commissioning of the renewed plant is scheduled for the end of 2013.