On March 28, the 3,800 mm Medium Plate Hot Straightener Project at Bayuquan Steel Branch of Ansteel, undertaken by CERI, achieved a successful hot on-load test run, marking a resounding success for the Project.

To enhance the production line's core competitiveness and address the demand for high value-added products like high-strength and wear-resistant plates, Ansteel's Bayuquan Steel Branch upgraded the 3,800 mm medium plate production line. Key upgrades included enhancements to the rolling mill automation system, hot straightener, shear line, and centralized control system. CERI was responsible for the functional upgrading of the hot straightener.

Before upgrading, the mechanical hot straightener exhibited issues including low frame rigidity, limited straightening capacity, inadequate shape control mechanisms, inefficient manual straightening, slow roll gap adjustments, and frequent safety protection malfunctions. In response to these issues, the project team engaged in extensive discussions with the Owner to devise a comprehensive upgrading scheme for the mechanical structure, hydraulic system and electrical control system of the old hot straightener. The scheme was developed on the basis of multiple field investigations and aligned with future product development needs.

The project team of CERI made full use of the existing foundation to redesign a high-rigidity frame, enhancing straightening capacity to meet the requirements of high-strength steel plates. They upgraded the electric screw-down device to a fully hydraulic system, incorporated roll bending functionality, optimized the side roll adjustment mechanism, diversified roll gap settings, and improved adjustment speed and accuracy. Additionally, they modified the roll changing system for rapid changes, reinstated overload protection for the transmission system, reduced equipment failure rates, implemented roll bending using the existing roll system, developed a new hydraulic system with a fully hydraulic servo control system, designed a new control system with an automatic straightening control model for improved quality and efficiency, and renovated comprehensively the cooling water and oil-gas lubrication systems. The upgraded hot straightener boasts advanced automation and comprehensive functionalities, reaching the leading level in China.

In recent years, CERI's plate and strip product team has successfully served Ansteel by undertaking projects including the EPS Pickling Line, upgrading of the 1,700 mm hot rolling and conveying system, and 3,800 mm thick plate cold straightening, garnering trust and high praise from Ansteel.