SMS Meer, Germany, has modernised a finishing mill for Nucor Steel Darlington, South Carolina, USA, in five weeks.
The continuous finishing mill allows shorter stand changing times and reduced setup and adjustment times.
The mill consists of four horizontal, one vertical, and three convertible type HL stand groups.
The convertible groups are of dual-drive arrangement, with motors and gears keeping their position regardless of the stand configuration (either H or V).
A ‘flying shear’, inter-stand equipment, quick change devices and tools, hydraulic and individual shear units are also part of the new setup. Extensive pre-tests reduced the number of operations required on site, allowing for the quicker revamping time. Nucor Steel Darlington is a producer of steel bars.