Company Announcement - ArcelorMittal has awarded SMS Siemag www.sms-siemag.com the order to upgrade the seven-stand hot-wide-strip mill in Gent, Belgium. The order comprises the installation of new finishing stands F1 and F2 as well as modifications to stands F3 and F4. Additionally, the SMS group will support ArcelorMittal in optimizing the rolling process for its third-generation UHSS and AHSS grades. By this upgrading project, ArcelorMittal is making its Gent hot strip mill fit for future market requirements. With the new equipment, modern actuators and higher rolling forces, ArcelorMittal intends to further improve the quality of its products and expand the portfolio, especially of high-strength and multi-phase grades.

This project continues the close partnership between ArcelorMittal Gent and SMS Siemag. Between 2012 and 2014, SMS Siemag already upgraded the drive trains of finishing stands F1 through F3. That project included the installation of more powerful main and pinion gears as well as SIEFLEX®-HT high-performance spindles. SMS Siemag also supplied a new profile, contour and flatness control system (PCFC) for the mill.

The installation work for this most recent project will take place in two steps during two short mill shutdowns. The modernization concept developed by SMS Siemag will minimize the impact on the running production and the need to adapt the existing equipment. During the first phase, which is scheduled for the end of 2015, stands F3 and F4 will receive new hydraulic screwdown systems, new oil film bearings and additional components that will provide for an increase in rolling forces.

The main project phase in December 2016 will see the installation of the new rolling stands F1 and F2, which will be equipped with high-capacity actuating systems with hydraulic screwdown systems and CVC® plus technology with work-roll shifting and bending. The first stands will feature high rolling forces and torques enabling them to achieve high reduction rates also when rolling high-strength grades. As part of the modernization, the entire finishing mill will receive new loopers.

In order to ensure minimal shutdown times and a fast ramp-up, the two new rolling stands will be pre-assembled and tested in the SMS Siemag workshop in Hilchenbach. On-site erection in Gent will then take place during running production alongside the rolling mill. During the subsequent mill shutdown, the existing stands F1 and F2 will be disassembled and the new, pre-assembled stands will be shifted into the finishing mill in place of the old ones.

SMS Siemag will upgrade the seven-stand hot-wide-strip mill at ArcelorMittal Gent. The project will involve the installation of new finishing stands F1 and F2, modifications to stands F3 and F4, and new loopers (shown in red).