Primetals Technologies has received final acceptance for the upgrade of AFV Beltrame Stahl Gerlafingen’s wire rod mill in Switzerland.
The project included the installation of an intelligent pinch roll, a 6th-generation laying head driven by electrical motors, and an advanced automation system. The upgraded outlet will now produce up to 600,000 tons per year of 6-20 mm quenched rebar and 5.5-20 mm low-carbon wire rod.
The previous laying head caused vibration, poor front-end orientation, and uneven coils, leading to unplanned stoppages. The new Primetals design resolves these issues with an integral segmented deflector plate for better end control, a rugged gearbox with roller bearings, and a one-piece fabrication that reduces harmonics and wear. Improved pipe path and optimized center of gravity further cut vibration.
The system also features laser-based tension monitoring, enabling operators to track product speed and position in real time via the mill’s HMI. Since installation, front-end orientation has stabilized, vibrations have been eliminated, and unplanned stoppages have dropped significantly, boosting output.
Stahl Gerlafingen, founded in 1823, is Switzerland’s largest recycled steel producer, making over 700,000 tons of low-CO2 steel annually. It supplies steel bars and beams within the AFV Beltrame Group.
