The company said the upgrade included an intelligent pinch roll, a laying head utilizing electrical motors and drives, and an automation system. The mill can produce 6 to 20 mm quenched rebar and 5.5 to 20 mm low-carbon wire rod. 

The updated laying head technology has an integral segmented deflector plate for front and tail end control. It also featured a rugged gearbox with roller bearings. 

“Thanks to the new screw technology, both the start and end of the coil are now placed significantly more precisely and stably in the coil formation area. Additionally, the new equipment allows for higher production speeds and a more powerful drive mechanism, improving overall process stability and product quality,” said Christine Hess, technical project manager for Stahl Gerlafingen. 

Primetals Technologies said the new one-piece fabrication design reduces manufacturing time and provides a reduced second harmonic. Its improved pipe path and center of gravity position reduces vibrations and allows for long-lasting pipe paths with less wear. 

The tension monitoring control system measures the speed at which the product going in and out of the laying head is moving along with the position. The system is integrated with the mill’s existing human-machine interface. 

The companies estimate the new wire rod outlet will produce about 600,000 metric tons annually.