WCA September 2023

Technology News

NCA starts production with SMS aluminium cold rolling mill A new aluminium cold rolling mill (CRM) at North China Aluminum New Material Technology Co, Ltd (NCA) in China successfully rolled its first coil earlier this year. SMS group supplied and installed the mill, which was put into operation just 18 months after order placement. SMS group implemented the new single stand aluminium cold rolling mill at NCA’s Zhuozhou facility. NCA can roll a wide range on the CRM, from soft to hard aluminium grades in widths from 1,000 to 1,800mm. The strips can be rolled to a minimum final thickness of 0.1mm, and the plant has a production capacity of more than 80,000 tons per year. SMS group supplied the CRM in the six high CVC® plus (continuous variable crown) design, complete with entry and exit area equipment, including payoff and tension reel, as well as all of the relevant equipment for coil and sleeve handling and the required fluid systems. The efficient inductive edge heating system was developed by SMS to pre vent tight strip edges – a phenomenon

Operator-side view of the cold rolling mill at NCA

Klaus Siegert, expert design and product management, cold rolling mills aluminium, SMS group, said, “For NCA we are implementing a cold rolling mill with state-of-the-art equipment that allows cost-effective and at the same time sustainable plant operation. “An example is the inductive strip edge heating system. But this is also a remarkable achievement for the entire team because NCA is a new customer, and personal contact with NCA representatives was almost impossible due to the limitations of the corona- virus pandemic. The short com- missioning is, of course, the primary benefit of our colleagues on-site, but also of all others who have worked on the project.” SMS group GmbH www.sms-group.com tion and reports it before the measured values are affected. The smaller gauge heads of the Laser Series 2000 are equipped with multi slot protection. The larger gauge heads, which cover a product diameter from 30mm (1.2"), as well as all three-axis gauge heads, are designed to be open at the bottom, so that neither water nor dirt can enter the gauge head. A swivelling design allows the measuring head to be easily moved out of the working area. The measuring heads are free of wear parts, retain their precision throughout the operating life and require no calibration or maintenance. Sikora AG www.sikora.net

occurring during the aluminium cold rolling process. The system ensures accu rate heating of the work rolls in the strip edge area. SMS equipped NCA’s CRM with the X-Pact® electric and automation system for aluminium rolling mills, comprising operating and sequence controls as well as controls for ancillary components such as the rolling oil system and low-/ high-pressure hydraulic units. The SMS scope of supply included a Multi-Plate® filter (MPF), characterised by its modular design. The purpose of the efficient MPF is to clean the oil used during the rolling process. It will help NCA to deal with increasing energy costs and to meet stricter requirements in reducing emissions and saving resources, including fluids and auxiliary materials.

Slim design diameter gauge heads with swivel concept

The slim measuring heads of the Laser Series 2000/6000 house the optical components in protected areas, so that process-related dust and dirt particles do not affect the measurement. In addition, the diffraction analysis, in which the diameter is determined from the diffraction fringe, detects unavoid able, gradually emerging contamina

The Laser Series 2000/6000 includes various laser-based gauge heads that continuously measure contactless dia- meter and ovality of cables during extrusion. Sikora says that the advantages of the devices are their precision, availability and production proven design, allowing users to benefit from reliability in production and quality end products.

The swivelling measuring head concept of the Laser Series 2000/6000

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September 2023