Ternium Siderar, Argentina, and SMS Siemag Germany, successfully commissioned the X-Cast two-strand continuous slab caster supplied by SMS Siemag at San Nicolás.
With the new high-efficiency continuous caster, Siderar can fully utilise the production capacity of the upstream meltshops and increase its production of low to medium-carbon steels and peritectic grades. The strand guide with twelve segments is prepared for the addition of two further segments to increase the casting speed and, therefore, the plant’s productivity in the future. The plant is designed for 200mm and 250mm thick slabs with widths between 750mm and 1,900mm.
The technological equipment of the caster includes several Intelligent Slab Casting (ISC) modules that determine quality and production. Among these are the hydraulically powered resonance oscillation systems, remote-controlled mould narrow faces for width change during casting and the position-controlled CYBERLINK segments to perform dynamic soft reduction. The plant is fully equipped with the X-Pact electrical and automation system from SMS Siemag. This comprises process automation (level 1) and technological process models (level 2) as well as commissioning. The customer personnel received intensive and true-to-life training.
At its San Nicolás location, Siderar operates three BOF steelworks and a two-strand continuous slab caster that was supplied by SMS Siemag 30 years ago and has since been revamped by the German company.
