Nucor Steel Kankakee, Inc. selects SMS group for new merchant bar mill

This plant will be designed to produce a wide range of merchant bar products to complement the existing product portfolio, including equal and unequal angles in a range from 3 to 7 inches, channels from 3 to 10 inches, flats up to 12 inches, rounds up to 3 5/8 inches and rebar from no. 14 to no. 18. The roll pass design developed by SMS group will allow the mill to use a wide variety of starting billet sizes, ranging from 6.25 inches square to 5.5 inches x 11.5 inches.

The new merchant bar mill supplied by SMS group will consist of 16 total stands, including five dual-drive convertible stands, all equipped with quick-changing device. It will also be equipped with three shears along the mill, with provisions for automatic sampling collection, and an automatic sampling area at the cooling bed.

Additional highlights will be a multi-line straightening machine with automatic bar positioning and feeding device and automatic roll changing system, as well as a 700 tons cold shear. Two cold saws will have a capability to use either abrasive or metallic blades. Maximized flexibility will be reached thanks to an 80 foot automatic magnetic stacker with four independent 20 foot sections. The new generation high-precision profile gauge MEERgauge^® with surface defect detection capability allows Nucor Steel Kankakee a contactless precision measurement for optimal bar production processes.

A high degree of efficiency is also guaranteed thanks to the technology systems and quick-changing equipment: Size changes and adjustments to the product lengths can be performed quickly, while downtimes are reduced to a minimum. Besides the mechanical equipment, SMS group will supply the entire electrical and automation system.

"This new MBQ mill is right in line with our long-term strategy for profitable growth. It builds on our market leadership position by further enhancing our product offerings of merchant bar, light shapes and structural angle and channel in markets in the central U.S.," said John Ferriola, Chairman, CEO & President of Nucor.

The American Midwest region is one of the largest markets for merchant bar mill products. With this new modern merchant bar mill, Nucor Steel Kankakee, Inc. is ideally positioned to offer its customers a full range of the highest quality bar products.