Danieli has received an order from Stahl Gerlafingen to supply and install a K-Weld machine at its plant in Switzerland.
The new Danieli billet welding machine will be seamlessly integrated with the new reheating furnace, enabling a direct feed to the existing rolling mill operating in endless mode. To optimize the billet temperature following the welding process, a cutting-edge 2-MW Danieli Automation Q-Heat system will be installed immediately after the welder. This system ensures the billet’s temperature remains ideal before it enters the roughing mill, compensating for any temperature drop caused during welding.
One of the standout features of the sixth-generation Danieli-patented billet welders is the ingenious cartridge design that houses the welding clamps. This innovative cartridge allows for convenient clamp replacement in the workshop, making the machine fully available and saving valuable time (50pct compared to conventional billet welders), Danieli said in a press release.
Moreover, the implementation of a new tension control system accelerates joint welding, leading to enhanced mechanical characteristics of the joint itself and the rolled stock.
Endless welding rolling brings numerous advantages, including more stable rolling conditions and improved plant yield. By eliminating the need for billet head and tail cropping, as well as inter-billet gaps, the process becomes more efficient and yields higher-quality output.
The new-generation billet welder is set to commence operations in the first quarter of 2024.
Stahl Gerlafingen is part of Italian group Beltrame and has an annual steelmaking capacity of 667,000 tons. The company offers rebar, wire rod and sections.