Primetals Technologies to Supply State-of-the-Art 6-Strand Bloom Casting Machine to Chinese Steel Producer
A leading steel producer from northeastern China has finalized an order with Primetals Technologies for a new 6-strand bloom casting machine to enhance its production capabilities. This cutting-edge equipment, scheduled for implementation in 2025, is aimed at increasing the efficiency and quality of steel production, particularly for premium rails, wire rods, and steel cords used in tire reinforcement.
Primetals Technologies, known for its extensive expertise in providing advanced casting technology, will supply the complete mechanical equipment for the new machine along with Level 1 and Level 2 automation systems. This partnership is built on the customer’s previous successful experience with Primetals Technologies’ long casting machines and a strong reference portfolio that demonstrates their capability to handle high-demand production processes.
High-Quality Bloom Production for Export Markets
The 6-strand bloom caster is designed to produce high-quality blooms, which are essential in the manufacturing of premium rails and wire rods. The blooms produced by the new machine will also be used in the tire cord market, providing an essential material for tire reinforcement, which is increasingly important as the global automotive industry shifts toward more sustainable and efficient technologies.
One of the most notable features of this machine is the largest curved copper tube mold ever implemented by Primetals Technologies, which will ensure cost-effective production while maintaining superior bloom quality. This innovative mold design is crucial for producing high-value-added, thick blooms, which are critical for the high-end steel products this producer aims to deliver.
Innovative Mechanical Features and Flexibility
A key feature of the bloom caster is the DynaFlex hydraulic oscillator, which offers flexible mold-oscillation parameters. This innovation significantly enhances the strand-surface quality, ensuring the production of steel with fewer imperfections, making it highly suitable for demanding applications such as rail and tire cord production.
The DynaFlex system allows for fine adjustments in the oscillation, leading to a more uniform and smoother surface finish, which is crucial for the quality and performance of the final products. This flexibility not only improves the product quality but also enhances the machine’s overall operational efficiency.
Advanced Automation Systems for Future-Proof Production
The automation systems incorporated into this bloom caster represent some of the most advanced technologies available today. These systems are designed to optimize performance for both current and future production requirements.
The DynaGap Soft Reduction system is a fully automated roll-gap control system that reduces centerline segregation, thus improving the internal strand quality. By ensuring that the bloom’s internal structure is uniform, it contributes to the production of high-strength steel products that meet the most demanding standards.
The caster will also be equipped with Dynacs 3D, a secondary-cooling model that calculates the 3D temperature profile along the entire strand. This system facilitates the optimal adjustment of the secondary-cooling setpoints, ensuring that the blooms are cooled uniformly and efficiently, which is essential for maintaining high product quality.
Moreover, the LevCon control system ensures mold level stability, which is crucial for preventing defects in the final steel products. This system includes autostart casting functions and auto-adaptive dynamic bulging compensation, ensuring smooth and consistent casting processes with minimal interruptions.
A Multinational Steel Producer
The Chinese steel producer involved in this project is part of a multinational enterprise group with a diverse product range that includes rebar, plate, hot-rolled sheet, cold-rolled sheet, galvanized sheet, color-coated sheet, round steel, profiled steel, wire rod, and steel rails. This new bloom caster will significantly enhance the company’s ability to produce high-quality products for both domestic and export markets.
By incorporating this advanced casting technology, the producer is positioning itself to meet the increasing demand for high-performance steel in industries such as construction, automotive, and energy, while also expanding its global footprint. With a strong emphasis on quality and efficiency, the steel producer is reinforcing its competitive edge in the global market.
