German Special Bar Quality producer Georgsmarienhütte (GMH) will modernise and extend its 3-roll Reducing & Sizing Block (RSB) that was commissioned in 2002.
GMH placed the order with Friedrich Kocks of Hilden, Germany.
The order comprises the delivery and commissioning of a real-time closed-loop control system specifically developed for the RSB. It reaches the optimum operating state of the block as quickly as possible, and keeps the production quality of the rolled product on a constantly high, reproducible level.
The 5-stand 3-roll RSB will also be extended from five to six stands positions and all stand positions will be modified to incorporate the newly developed 3-roll stands adjustable under load (AUL). The SCS controls the roll gap of these stands continuously to optimise the already tight finished size tolerances.
The upgrade to the new generation of the 3-roll Reducing & Sizing Block results rolling tests under real rolling conditions, which have been carried out by Kocks in cooperation with GMH at its Georgsmarienhütte location.
When developing both components, KOCKS focused on the fact that Reducing & Sizing Blocks already in operation could be equipped with the SCS as well as with the new stand type AUL.
The new stand AUL is based on the Heavy Duty stand with a nominal roll diameter of 370mm and has identical external dimensions as well as drive couplings.
The combination of SCS and stand AUL will be the basis for the latest generation of the successful RSB.
This design will both simplify the operation of the RSB and also guarantee the tightest tolerances over the whole length of each individual bar for the complete production range.
Georgsmarienhütte is the first mill worldwide to implement this change and will further improve its already tight control of SBQ tolerances. Commissioning is planned for summer 2012.