Automation for greenfield SBQ mill

The ArcelorMittal facility in Villa Constitucion, Argentina was founded in 1942 and specializes in long steel and wire products for construction and agriculture. Since then, it has grown and improved its processes. In 2007, the plant decided to install a new high efficiency mill designed to roll round on bars and rods, as well as squares, hexagonal, flats and rebar. The control for this rolling mill was supplied by Russula.

Scope of Supply

The project scope consisted of consulting, engineering, installation, start-up and training. Russula supplied the complete rolling mill automation, all the electrical and control equipment, and an IBA data acquisition system. The combination mill features controlled temperature rolling, which permits Acindar to produce thermo-mechanically rolled rod and bar product. Moreover Russula supplied the Water Treatment Plant for the direct and indirect cooling of the rolling process.

Electrical equipment room housing the Russula rolling automation equipment

Project Execution

In order to have a successful start-up with excellent product quality, there were three principal challenges that Russula had to overcome:

The system integration was complex. The mechanical equipment provider supplied a different electrical system, which had to be integrated with the mill's existing plant management systems and the new control system for the greenfield mill. Russula tackled this problem by first doing a study of all the different existing solutions available on the market. Then the company evaluated and selected the best solution based on its know-how from implementing similar projects.
The deadlines were tight. This project was executed on time and managed well due to the fact that Russula follows a standard project processes for purchasing, assembly, delivery, installation and start-up.
The required production speed was high (110 m/s). The SBQ mill needed to achieve optimum functionality at 110 m/s.

"During the performance test for the mill, we were able to sustain a consistent production rate of 118m/s for many hours, much higher than the rolling mill guarantee."

José Luís Casanova, Russula Project Manager

Results

After the installation of the electrical and control equipment, the SBQ mill needed to achieve optimum functionality at 110 m/s. During the performance tests, the ArcelorMittal Acindar and Russula team were able to sustain a consistent production rate of 118 m/s for many hours, well above the mechanical equipment supplier guarantee of 110m/s.

ArcelorMittal Acindar and Russula have had a successful partnership dating back to 1995, when Russula upgraded the control system for the other two strand wire rod mill in Villa Constitución. Since 2002, Russula has completed numerous electrical projects for Acindar in San Nicolas.

Electrical equipment room housing the Russula rolling automation equipment