NLMK Indiana completed a 20 million-dollar upgrade for the Quarter Standard Gauge Tolerance Project. Doing so improves the gauge, profile, and shape of our hot rolled product as well as reduces Finishing Mill related delays. 

The project allows us to achieve product gauge tolerances that are ¼ of the published ASTM gauge tolerances. This level of control allows Portage to produce coils with best-in-class gauge performance.  

The project required the installation of hydraulic automatic gauge control (HAGC) on stands F3 through F5, new hydraulic loopers on all stands, 84 new work roll chocks with work roll bending, a new work roll keeper system, a new hydraulic room, and lots of updates and upgrades to the automation hardware and software. 

The project was installed on time and under budget through our team planning.  All the project goals were met, and work continues to improve the response and range of the Automatic Flatness Control functions to improve our performance.  General Manager of Strategic Engineering, Randy Beardsley, commented, “A project of this scope took a huge amount of cooperation and effort, and all our teams throughout the plant were up to the task. Every department had to pitch in, and extra effort was especially necessary from the Hot Mill, Roll Shop, and engineering teams. This project is a great example of what we can accomplish together”.

About NLMK Group

NLMK Group is a vertically integrated steelmaking company, the largest in Russia and one of the most efficient steel producers in the world.

NLMK operates production facilities in Russia, Europe and the United States. The Company’s steel production capacity exceeds 14.3 million tonnes per year.

For more information on NLMK Group, please visit our website.

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