Primetals Technologies Receives Order for Automation and Drive Systems for a Six-Stand Tandem Cold Rolling Line in China

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 3, Primetals Technologies received an order for the automation system and medium- and low-voltage drive systems for a new push-pull pickling line–six-stand tandem cold rolling mill (PLTCM) in China. The project owner is a Chinese steel producer whose name has not yet been disclosed; the production line is scheduled to start up in May 2027. The project will be implemented by Primetals Technologies in cooperation with the Chinese industrial automation company Inovance Technology, and it marks the first application of Primetals' new EnerX frequency converter series in a PLTCM project.

Primetals Technologies' scope of supply includes a complete Level 1 basic automation system, a Level 2 process automation system, EnerX medium-voltage drive systems, and low-voltage auxiliary drive systems. The Level 1 automation handles basic line control, while the Level 2 system manages rolling process control and process optimization; the project will also feature a neural network-based self-learning algorithm to continuously adjust process parameters to meet the requirements of continuous rolling at high reduction rates and thin-gauge strip. Thickness control and flatness optimization functions will also be integrated into the complete automation system.

The order involves a high-speed six-stand PLTCM production line. Primetals Technologies will integrate EnerX medium-voltage frequency converters and low-voltage auxiliary drive equipment with its cold rolling process control system, with the drive systems providing drive control for the mill and related equipment. The EnerX series had previously been incorporated into Primetals' drive product portfolio; this order marks the first full PLTCM engineering application of the series, extending the cooperation from the previous reversing cold mill projects to a continuous pickling and tandem cold rolling combined line.

Primetals Technologies' previous cooperation with Inovance Technology focused mainly on drive solutions for reversing cold mills. In this project, the two parties have expanded their cooperation to a complete PLTCM system, with Inovance Technology participating in related drive and control technology collaboration, while Primetals Technologies is responsible for integrating the drive equipment with the rolling process and the Level 1 and Level 2 automation systems. The authorities have not yet disclosed further engineering parameters such as the project contract value, designed annual production capacity of the line, rolling speed, strip width, or main motor power of each stand.

The project is currently in the order execution and engineering preparation stage and has not yet entered operation. According to the published schedule, the new production line is planned to start up in May 2027, with subsequent work including engineering design, supply, system integration, and on-site commissioning of the automation system and medium- and low-voltage drive equipment.