Nucor has placed an order with plant supplier SMS group for the modernization and expansion of its Steckel mill at its Tuscaloosa site.
The centrepiece of the project is the conversion of the existing plant into a tandem Steckel mill. To enhance the rolling mill’s ability to produce thin, high-strength products, an additional mill stand will be installed downstream of the existing stand to create a tandem Steckel mill. Both stands will be employed simultaneously for reversing roughing passes and finishing passes. The tandem arrangement of the stands also allows the use of special work rolls in one stand to manufacture base plates and checker plates, says SMS.
The existing entry and exit-side Steckel furnaces will be replaced with new furnaces in a closed-type design. Once the revamp has been completed, both mill stands will be equipped with CVC® plus technology to ensure strip quality.
As the systems supplier in charge of the upgrade, SMS group will also handle the modernization of the electrical and automation systems in the Steckel mill, including the main drives, sensors, measuring equipment and instrumentation, as well as the mill’s basic and process automation.
After commissioning, the Nucor team will receive ongoing support from SMS group experts via the X-Pact® service portal.
This conversion will enable Nucor Steel to significantly increase its production capacity and get ready to meet future challenges in the steel industry, says SMS group.