NLMK Clabecq collaborated with Danieli to undertake an upgrade aimed at solidifying its prominent role in the thin-gauge steel market. The objective was to deliver top-notch surface quality, flatness, and dimensional tolerance plates.
At the Ittre plate mill in Belgium, new technological packages from Danieli were introduced to enhance plate profiles and improve mill-flatness performance.
The upgrade involved a two-part shutdown strategy, which included the installation of hydraulic actuators for gap control (HAGC) for stands 3 and 4, a state-of-the-art hydraulic bending system, and new loopers for stands 1 to 4, all connected to a new hydraulic power unit.
Danieli Automation modernized the technological control system using the advanced HiPAC automation platform, integrating control functions related to the new HAGC, bending, and hydraulic loopers. Additionally, updates were made to the level 2 process control system originally supplied by Danieli Automation, and a new flatness gauge was implemented at the exit of the finishing mill.
With its unique process layout featuring a 2,800-mm wide, four-stand tandem finishing mill, NLMK Clabecq produces steel plates of various thicknesses ranging from 3 to 120 mm for construction, shipbuilding, energy industries, transport, quarrying and mining equipment manufacturers. Its current production capacity is 750,000 tonnes a year.
