The revamped caster produces slabs with a thickness of 235 mm and widths between 800 and 1,600 mm; the maximum casting speed is rated at 1.9 m/min.
From the mold to the run-out area, the caster was completely rebuilt as a vertical bending caster. It is equipped with a remote adjustable mold, hydraulic oscillation and a width-dependent spray cooling system (water cooling) in the machine head. ArcelorMittal Asturias also modernized the existing maintenance workshop which now features the state-of-the-art HD LASr alignment system designed by SMS.
Furthermore, SMS has implemented various X-Pact level 2 process models and automation packages. A mold monitoring system checks the temperature distribution. In this way, any strand shell stickers can be detected and breakouts prevented at a very early stage. The DSC (Dynamic Solidification Control) metallurgical process model calculates the solidification process of the strand and controls the various secondary cooling zones.
The integrated steel plant of ArcelorMittal Asturias (Avilés) produces high-quality steel grades for the automotive industry as well as for tinplate and heavy plate production.
_{(Source: SMS group)}