News
12.12.2005
Volzhski Pipe Plant completed assembly of continuous-casting machine
The Volzhski Pipe Plant (VTZ, Volgograd Region), a part of TMK, completed the assembly and has started a hot testing of new continuous-casting machine (MNLZ-1). Its capacity is 25% higher than that for previous-generation machines.
The MNLZ-1 is one of three continuous-casting machines existing at the VTZ that will produce continuous-cast steel rounds with diameter from 150mm to 410mm. A considerable part of this production will be supplied to the TMK’s other enterprises within the framework of production cooperation to manufacture oil-and-gas pipe grades.
The MNLZ-1 is equipped with up-to-date systems for electromagnetic circulation and mold rocking and a hydraulic system based on straightening withdrawal-roll sets. New equipment was provided by leading companies in metallurgical engineering - SMS - Demag (Germany) and Hydak International (Germany - Poland) – representatives of which carried out installation supervision. The equipment was installed by specialists from Kursk Erection Department of OOO “Tsentrenergomaontazh” branch and OOO “Volgopromavtomatika”.
The MNLZ modernization being carried out at the Volzhski Pipe Plant is an important stage of technical modernization program intended for the TMK’s steelmaking complex. Continuous-casting machines are being built at Seversk Pipe Plant and Taganrog Metallurgical Plant; arc steelmaking furnaces (DSP) will be installed at these plants in the short term. Implementing this large-scale investment program will enable to provide the entire seamless-pipe production (primarily oil-an-gas grades) with in-house steel feed. Measures taken at the Volzhski Pipe Plant to improve its steelmaking system increased its capacity from 500 ths to 800 ths tons of steel per year.
The Volgograd region’s Administration Head Nikolai Masyuta offered his congratulations to metallurgists on first steel teeming with new high-capacity machine. At the solemn meeting held today in the VTZ’s electric steelmaking shop, the region’s head noted a significant contribution by the TMK in improvement of the region’s attraction as an investment and execution of its socio-economic development programs. The company’s general director Konstantin Semerikov thanked suppliers for high-quality equipment and contractors for high-quality installation and setup of the MLNZ No.1. Highly professional work by specialist of the Volzhski Pipe Plant was acknowledged with corporative awards.
