SMS group and Steel Dynamics (SDI) have celebrated the successful start-up of four new production lines at two locations. The new Continuous Galvanizing Lines (CGLs) and Color Coating Lines (CCLs) in Sinton, Texas, and Heartland, Indiana, mark a milestone in their long-standing partnership.
The commissioning of these state-of-the-art lines expands SDI’s production capacities for coated steel strips to meet growing demand. The two identical CGLs in Sinton and Heartland have an annual capacity of 278,000 tons each and produce galvanized steel sheets for construction and household appliances. They feature advanced technologies like the Drever horizontal furnace and the DUMA-BANDZINK air-knife system, ensuring efficient, high-quality production. The CGLs handle a maximum strip width of 1830 mm and operate at a speed of 198 m/min.
The CCLs, with capacities of 240,000 tons per year each, produce coated cold-rolled and galvanized steel strips for various applications. These lines handle strip widths of up to 1830 mm at 183 m/min, meeting diverse customer needs while maintaining high quality standards.
SMS group’s X-Pact packages of basic and process automation ensure smooth integration and operation of the lines. The X-Pact Level 1 system, based on the Siemens TIA platform, provides stable real-time performance, enhanced diagnostics, and quick troubleshooting. Virtual commissioning of the automation system during the X-Pact Plug & Work integration tests facilitated the fast start-up of the lines.