In a statement, SMS group said the project entailed upgrades to the automation system and installation of a dynamic secondary air-mist cooling system. The improvements have led to increases in product quality in terms of internal structure and surface cracking.

“With a comparatively small modification to our caster, we have achieved a clear improvement in product quality, efficiently reducing the billet rejection rate. The cooperation with SMS Concast was excellent: together we kept the tight schedule and achieved our project goals. All in all, a very successful modernization project that has further strengthened our business relation,” said Dragon Steel project engineer Ting-Yun Lin.

Located in Taichung, Taiwan, the caster was originally built by SMS Concast in 2000 and equipped with final electromagnetic stirrers in 2014. It makes 145-mm square billets and can produce 600,000 metric tons annually. Casting grades include cold-heading, low-alloy, free-cutting, hot-forging and welding rod steels.