SMS group to modernize continuous caster and heavy-plate mill at MMK

Russian steel producer Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works (MMK) has awarded SMS group  the order to modernize its No. 6 continuous slab caster and the heavy-plate mill, and upgrade both plants’ X-Pact^® electrical and automation systems.

The caster, which currently produces slabs of thicknesses 190, 250 and 300 millimeters, will in future be able to also produce slabs with a thickness of 350 millimeters. The maximum cast width will remain unchanged at 2,700 millimeters. The future higher weight per meter of the slabs will optimize the allotment of the plates to be produced from the slabs. As a result, the yield will increase markedly.

The SMS group’s scope of supply for the continuous caster includes the basic and detail engineering, the optimization of the secondary cooling system, the adaption of the X-Pact^® electrical and automation systems, the upgrade of the technological process models (level 2) and supervision of installation and commissioning.

In order to be able to handle the greater slab thickness in the plate mill, the maximum roll lift in the horizontal stand will be increased from 320 to 370 millimeters. This will be achieved mainly by modifying the CVC^® roll bending and shifting system, installing new chocks for the upper work roll and adapting the back-up roll balancing system. SMS group will also supply a new level-2 model for the reheating furnaces and an upgrade of the process models in the rolling mill.

The project - including all modification and installation work and the commissioning - is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2017.

The continuous slab caster and the 5.0-m heavy-plate mill were supplied by SMS group in 2009. The mill stand was the first in Russia to feature a CVC^®plus system. With a rolling force of 120 MN it is one of the most powerful mill stands in the world.

In future, the mill stand will be able to roll slabs up to 350 millimeters thick

Based on SMS group information