Model modernization. Exceptional engineering shows up not only in plant and automation technologies for new facilities, but also in intelligent revamps. For instance, we implemented an unconventional solution for Outokumpu in Finland. There, we extended the Steckel rolling mill including auxiliary equipment during the company’s regular maintenance stoppages to ensure minimal production losses. The result: a production boost from 0.8 to 1.8 million t of stainless steel strip along with improved quality.

A gigantic block. Central to the revamp was supplementing the Steckel mill with three four-high finishing stands. First, they were pre-assembled next to the rolling line on a 26-meter-long and 6-meter-wide foundation block. Then the 2,500-t unit was seamlessly dragged into the ready and waiting foundation pit of the rolling line, where we aligned and fixed it in place. Today the plant operates mainly in combination mode with three reversing passes on the Steckel stand and one non-reversing pass on the three new finishers.

Revamp with the latest technology. Now, after the extensive revamp of its rolling mill in Tornio, Finland, Outokumpu operates one of the world’s most powerful Steckel mills. It consists of:

• Furnace plant with automatic slab charging from heat holding pits
• Descalerfor surface treatment
• Reversing rougher with edger
• Transfer bar pusher for discharging transfer bars
• Cropping shear
• Steckel stand with entry- and exit-side Steckel furnaces
• 3 finishing stands with hydraulic adjusting systems, hydraulic loopers and CVC^® plus technology
• Automatic roll change for the new finishing stands
• Multi-functional measuring device (thickness, width, profile, flatness, temperatures)
• Laminar strip cooling
• Coiler with Automatic Step Control
• X-Pact^® automation with process models for sequence control
• Pass schedule calculation and profile, contour and flatness control

Incidentally, the entire modernization program was performed using the latest environment protection and safety technology.