Star-up and Initial Results of the 3.2-m Ultrawide Slab Caster at IPSCO

摘要

A VAI-supplied ultra-wide (up to 3125 mm/123 in.), medium-thick (152 mm/6 in.) slab caster for IPSCO in Mobile, Alabama was started up in January 2000. This machine represents a new generation of casters, requiring innovative technological development in addition to the latest state-of-the-art automation models. The cast slabs are directly fed to a combined Steckel/plate mill where they are rolled to either heavy plates or hot-rolled coils in a new, highly economical process pioneered by IPSCO. This paper focuses on the design features of the caster and integrated automation models in addition to the operational and metallurgical results.