Expanding steel producer counts on WaldrichSiegen technology

The unique advantages of the ProfiGrind Series have won over the investors of an ambitious expansion project of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) for its production site in Rourkela: a fully automated roll shop with two machines of the type ProfiGrind 5000 and ProfiGrind 2000 each were ordered by Primetals Technologies Japan (PTJ), the manufacturer of a new hot strip mill for SAIL Rourkela.

The new mill, which has an annual production capacity of three million tons, will produce hot strip for the automotive and white goods industry, which has to fulfill particularly high quality standards, among other products. WaldrichSiegen was therefore SAIL Rourkela's first choice when selecting roll machining machine tools.

The universal roll grinders ProfiGrind 5000 and the ProfiGrind 2000 have unique advantages: hydrostatic guides ensure outstanding damping characteristics and dynamic stiffness. The hydrostatic bearing of the grinding spindle guarantees wear-free operation throughout the entire speed range, as well as extremely high machining accuracy. Thanks to the patented B-axis, a pivoting function which is integrated into the grinding wheel, it can be dynamically adjusted to the shape of the curve. Infeed marks are eliminated and at the same time, feed rates are increased. The result: excellent surface qualities and shaping accuracy, short machining times and reduced wear of the grinding wheel as well as reduced stock removal.

One of the two universal grinding machines and both ProfiGrind 2000 are integrated into a fully automated roll shop in the hot strip mill. Its main components are delivered by WaldrichSiegen, as well. An automatic loader in semi-gantry design is in charge of fast and secure loading and unloading of the roll grinders. A Roll Shop Management System (RSMS) collects and analyzes the machining data, and controls and monitors the automatic roll transport. A roll cooling station and an automatic roll cleaning system complement the roll shop equipment.

Deciding factors for the order to be placed with WaldrichSiegen were the unsurpassed advantages of the ProfiGrind Series and the positive experiences with two roll grinders that are have been in operation to the customer's full satisfaction at Steel Authority of India's facility in Rourkela since 1995.

Technological highlights of the roll grinders

• Hydrostatic guides
• Hydrostatic grinding spindle bearing
• Patented B-axis