steel news

The first strip was successfully rolled on the tandem cold mill TCM “2100” at PAO Severstal in Cherepovets, northwest Russia, after the successful mill modernization performed by SMS group. After SMS group had comprehensively modernized the entry area in 2016, including the rolling stands and the automation system (Phase 1), the recent measures concentrated on the exit area and the stand drives.

Stupp Corporation has awarded SMS group the contract to extend the spiral pipe mill at its site in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the United States. The contract consists of two projects: a partial revamp of the spiral pipe machine to increase pipe production capacity, and a new submerged arc re-welding stand to complement the existing three welding stands. The plant’s modifications will go into operation end of 2020.

The new European Patent Office (EPO) in the town of Rijswijk in the Netherlands reaches 107 metres into the sky of The Hague. This landmark building with bold, contemporary architecture and a modern, sustainable infrastructure replaces the 1973 tower building that previously housed the EPO. HISTAR® high strength steel sections from ArcelorMittal were selected for the columns and the metal structure.

SMS group is award winner in the corporate competition “NRW - Wirtschaft im Wandel” (NRW – Economy on the Move). This makes SMS group rank among the outstanding eleven companies that, in an exemplary way, stand for the structural change of Germany’s federal state North Rhine-Westphalia towards a strong future business location.

Correct mill stand geometry is essential for effective and accurate gauge control, strip/plate quality and maintenance of the mill and its associated parts, like bearings, chocks, hydraulic clamps, bending and balancing systems as well as gauge control systems.

SMS group has put into operation the 31.5/34-MN high-speed open-die forging press at forging company Gustav Grimm Edelstahlwerk GmbH & CO. KG based in Remscheid, Germany. Demolition of the old and assembly of the new press, including the subsequent acceptance tests, were successfully completed during a construction phase of just under eleven weeks.

By end of February, Primetals Technologies received an order for the installation of a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for Gerdau’s integrated plant melt shop in Ouro Branco, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The new solution will replace an existing system, which offers only limited upgrade options after several years of operation. The project will be executed by Primetals Technologies in cooperation with PSI Metals, thus combining leading automation, metallurgical and software know-how in the steel industry.

Primetals Technologies recently received another order for a subscription license for its software for process optimization (Level 2) of continuous casting plants. This was the third order in recent months for a service offering as yet unmatched anywhere in the steel industry.