Outokumpu Stainless AB has awarded SMS Demag a contract for the modernization of its Degerfors heavy plate mill in Sweden. The order comprises the supply of a hot and a cold plate leveler and finishing shop. Also included in SMS Demag’s scope of supply is the electrical equipment and automation system for these facilities. With the modernization project Outokumpu aims to boost its production and to improve the flatness of its plates. The new hot plate leveler will have nine leveling rolls and a leveling force of 24 MN. The machine will be integrated in the existing production line. The maximum leveling force of the 9/5 cold plate leveler is 26.5 MN. The machine with its patented concept can be operated both on nine and five leveling rolls. In addition to the main hydraulic adjusting system, each leveling roll has another separate hydraulic adjusting system for each individual roll and an individual drive unit. Both machines will operate on SMS Demag’s X-Pact® electrical equipment and automation system. The interaction of the mechanical equipment and new leveling models allows the ideal flatness to be set for each plate. Besides the two levelers SMS Demag will prepare the overall layout and the detail engineering as well as the electrical equipment and automation system for the extension of the finishing shop. The modernization project will be carried out in several stages which will be completed in 2011.