MMK to implement comprehensive revamp of hot strip mill 2500 with SMS group

Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works (MMK), Russia, has commissioned SMS group to revamp hot strip mill 2500 at its plant in Magnitogorsk. In particular, the order includes the extensive modernization of the finishing train equipment and the installation of a new automation system.

Pavel Shilyaev, CEO of MMK, summarizes the goals of the project: “The revamp of our hot strip mill 2500 is part of our strategy for 2025. We will gain a number of advantages from this modernization: We will expand our product portfolio, we will be able to reduce our production costs, and our rolling mill capacity will be increased by 500,000 tons per year.”

The customized revamp concept, on which MMK and SMS group worked closely, represents a further milestone in the mutual trust and cooperation between the two companies. The revamp strategy proposes to complete the revamp in four shutdown periods by mid-2020.

Hot strip mill 2500 was built in the 1960s and supplied by a Soviet manufacturer. As part of the modernization, the finishing stands will be fitted with new hydraulic adjustment systems and work roll bending systems. These powerful adjustment actuators will enable MMK to produce strip within close geometrical tolerances. In addition, SMS group is to renew the drive technology in the finishing train and will supply six main drives, including converters, two new spur gear and six pinion gear units, as well as new drive spindles. SMS group will also install new work and backup roll changing equipment and a new high-pressure hydraulic system for the finishing stands.

The plant automation system is also to be thoroughly updated by SMS group. This includes the Level 1 systems, process models such as the Pass Schedule Calculation (PSC) for the roughing and finishing stands, Profile, Contour and Flatness Control (PCFC®), Cooling Section Control (CSC), a pacing system for the entire hot strip mill, the X-Pact® Vision operating and visualization system, and an extensive range of measuring equipment and technology. SMS group will perform a Plug & Work test on the automation system before the revamp. For this, the automation system is to be installed in a test center, then tested and pre-optimized under realistic conditions.