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SMS starts up aluminium cold rolling mill at NCA

At the end of February 2023, the new aluminum cold rolling mill (CRM) at North China Aluminum New Material Technology (NCA) rolled its first coil. 

The new high-end cold rolling mill at NCA was commissioned after an extremely short time for order processing.

SMS group supplied and installed the mill in record time. After just 18 months from order placement, the CRM was successfully put into operation. SMS group implemented the new single stand aluminum cold rolling mill at NCA’s Zhuozhou facility. The company is a flagship of China’s aluminum foil industry. 

For rolling soft as well as hard aluminium grades

NCA can roll a wide range on the CRM, from soft to hard aluminum grades in widths of between 1,000 and 1,800 mm. The strips can be rolled to a minimum final thickness of 0.1 mm. The plant has a production capacity of more than 80,000 t per year.

SMS group supplied the CRM in the six-high CVCplus (Continuous Variable Crown) design complete with entry and exit area equipment, including pay-off and tension reel as well as all the relevant equipment for coil and sleeve handling and the required fluid systems. The state-of-the-art X-Pact Level 2 setup system from SMS group provides optimal roll gap settings and the technological control systems ensure the tightest thickness and flatness tolerances. The multizone cooling system adds the finishing touch to excellent flatness results.

Sustainable plant set-up with energy efficient rolling and filter technology 

One highlight is the super-efficient inductive edge heating system developed by SMS group to prevent tight strip edges, a phenomenon occurring during the aluminum cold rolling process. The system ensures highly accurate heating of the work rolls in the strip edge area. Compared to other hot edge preventing systems on the market, inductive heating operates with far less energy.

SMS has equipped NCA’s CRM with the latest-generation X-Pact electric and automation system for aluminum rolling mills, comprising operating and sequence controls as well as controls for ancillary components, such as the rolling oil system and low-/high-pressure hydraulic units. The advanced visualization concept behind the X-Pact Vision HMI, which boasts integrated faceplate technology, ensures harmonized operator guidance as well as safe and convenient operation of all the equipment.

The SMS scope of supply features a Multi-Plate filter (MPF), characterized by its modular design. The purpose of the highly efficient MPF is to clean the rolling oil used during the rolling process. The MPF will effectively help NCA to deal with ever-increasing energy costs and meet stricter requirements in reducing emissions and saving resources, including fluids and auxiliary materials. The hot commissioning and start-up of the plant are currently underway with successful results.

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