Nucor Steel LexingtonSchedule
Monday, 22 February 2027
4–6 p.m.
Registration
Tuesday, 23 February 2027
7 a.m.
Registration and Breakfast
8 a.m.
Introductions
Andrew Schless, Nucor Steel–South Carolina
8:05 a.m.
Welcome and Overview of Nucor Steel Lexington
8:15 a.m.
Rolling Mill Metallurgy
This presentation will highlight the key metallurgical principles behind rolling mills and their impact on long product quality and material properties. It will discuss how factors such as microstructure control, process parameters, and defect prevention directly influence mill efficiency and customer satisfaction. This session provides a practical view of the metallurgy behind hot rolling long products.
9 a.m.
Quality Overview — Defects
Richelle Wilson, Steel Dynamics Inc.
9:30 a.m.
Long Products and Applications
10:15 a.m.
Break
10:30 a.m.
Rolling Theory — Part 1
Joe Kennedy, Quad Training
This presentation will cover pass design terminology, basic rolling principles and examples of their application, and how an operator can use rolling theory to improve decisions made in the mill.
11:45 a.m.
Lunch
12:45 p.m.
Rolling Theory — Part 2
Joe Kennedy, Quad Training
1:45 p.m.
Break
2 p.m.
Section Rolling Considerations
Joe Schenk, Nucor Steel West Virginia
Several complex and asymmetrical pass designs will be discussed, giving practical applications to the often-theoretical topic of roll pass design. The intent will be to build off of the previous roll pass design principles discussed earlier in the day by showing pragmatic real mill applications and designs. Questions and open discussions will be welcomed.
2:45 p.m.
Break
3 p.m.
Nucor Steel Lexington Project Overview
Kevin Barbee, Nucor Steel Lexington
4:15 p.m.
Keynote Speaker
4:45 p.m.
Question-and-Answer Session
Andrew Schless, Nucor Steel–South Carolina
5–6 p.m.
Reception
Wednesday, 24 February 2027
7 a.m.
Breakfast
7:30 a.m.
Plant Tour of Nucor Steel Lexington
12:30 p.m.
Lunch
1 p.m.
Reheat Furnace Basics
David Cernava, Inductotherm Corp.
This presentation will cover the basics of reheating including induction heating technology.
1:30 p.m.
Work Rolls
Brad Hasek, SinterMet
The presentation will be highlighting roll basics and different material types commonly found in long product mills.
2 p.m.
Break
2:15 p.m.
Rolling Mills and Roughing Technology: From Reversible to Continuous Mill
Paolo Paganini, POMINI Long Rolling Mills
Steel grade, feedstock dimensions, and target productivity lead the operation of the roughing mill. This presentation covers definitions and key selection factors to be considered for both mill layout and stand configuration for optimizing the roughing process.
3 p.m.
Long Products Guiding Fundamentals and Advanced Guiding Technologies
Tim Dolan and Eirik Pyhtila, Primetals Technologies
Primetals Technologies will present Guiding Fundamentals for ideal presentation of stock to and from a rolling pass focused on Best Practices for Quality and Efficiency. After discussing the fundamental mechanical considerations for guide design and operation, Primetals will share current and future state of Advanced Guiding tools within the Long Products mills. Primary topics include: 1. Continuous condition monitoring 2. Stock measurement system 3. Remote Adjustment for Quick Change and Online Adjustment 4. Data Analytics 5. System Adaptability for modernizing a guide fleet in an established mill.
3:45 p.m.
Break
4 p.m.
Quench Box
Mario Fabro, SMS Group Inc.
4:45.m.
Question-and-Answer Session
Andrew Schless, Nucor Stell – South Carolina
Thursday, 25 February 2027
7 a.m.
Breakfast
8 a.m.
Spooling Technology
Lorenzo Marino, Danieli Corp.
Spooler technology, related endless processes and cooling treatments.
8:45 a.m.
Finishing End Robotics and Mechatronic Applications
Nicholas Antonini, AIC North America Corp.
Reviewing all available technologies on finishing end areas of rolling mill production sites used to improve safety, production and reliability of working sites.
9:45 a.m.
Break
10 a.m.
Inspection Using XRF, Phased Array and Eddy Current Array Technology
Pier Lévesque, Evident Scientific, Inc
As quality requirements and alloy complexity continue to increase, manufacturers need smarter inspection solutions. Combining XRF, eddy current array and phased array ultrasonic technologies delivers real-time material verification and 100% in-line nondestructive inspection. This advanced approach ensures maximum quality, traceability and manufacturing efficiency
10:45 a.m.
Motors, Drives and Speed Control
Chad Ransbottom, Russula Corp.
How to integrate modern drive and control technologies to optimize mill performance.
11:45 a.m.
Lunch
12:45 p.m.
Saw Blades Application
Steve King, A Lindemann
This presentation will review the different styles of blades used in long products.
1:05 p.m.
Shear Blades
1:30 p.m.
Digital Transformation in Rolling Mills: The Impact of Computer Vision in Product and Process Improvement Activities
Francisco Moretón, iSEND
Digital transformation in rolling mills is moving beyond defect detection towards predictive, data-driven process and quality control. This presentation will explore how ISEND combines computer vision, inline non-destructive testing, mass and geometry measurement, and integrated data analysis to improve product quality, optimize process stability, and increase material yield. Through the integration of real-time inspection and AI-driven predictive capabilities, we will demonstrate how steel producers can better understand material behavior, anticipate process deviations, reduce unplanned interruptions, and move towards more efficient, stable, and predictable rolling operations.
