SIDENOR issues FAC to SMS group for upgraded bar mill in Basauri

The upgrade was aimed at ensuring more effective rolling operations, increasing the initial pass section, raising rolling speeds, and improving the material properties. SMS group’s scope of supply included all process facilities, the automation system, and the entire erection and commissioning.

As part of the upgrade the existing three-high roughing stand was replaced with a six-stand continuous roughing mill with compact stands (CS) in V-H arrangement. What’s more, a new flying crop shear and two additional compact stands in an H-V arrangement were installed upstream of the current eleven-stand continuous finishing mill. A further flying shear, which was installed in the exit section of the bar mill, enables SIDENOR to cut not only larger crosssections in future, but also smaller sections at speeds of up to ten meters per second. Static, multi-strand entry and exit guides, and in some cases roller entry guides, are used to guide the rolling stock.

The scope of the upgrade also included the installation of a completely new walking beam furnace and related entry and exit equipment, which will allow for higher capacity levels in future thanks to its modular design. The exit side of the furnace is equipped with a high-pressure water descaling unit. The furnace is also equipped with the advanced SMSPrometheus® level 2 automation system, which is ideal for setting the heating parameters according to the wide range of steel grades to be rolled. The use of SMS ZeroFlame burners will also minimize pollutant emissions into the atmosphere in future.

This latest reference further underlines SMS group’s upgrade expertise and its position as a leading supplier of rolling mills for quality steels in all size ranges. The order was completed on time within a very short delivery period.

At its Basauri works, SIDENOR (www.sidenor.com) produces round bars in the 29 to 100-millimeter-diameter range from high-grade carbon steels, low and high-alloy quality steels and tool steels, roller bearing steels and stainless grades used in the automotive industry, in the oil and gas industry, and in the machine and plant engineering sector.