On the northern coast of France lies the second rolling mill of Dillinger Hütte Gruppe, GTS Industries, where approx. 600 employees are working. Primarily slabs from the steelworks in Dillinger Hütte are used for the production. The plates have thicknesses from 5 mm to 150 mm, with a maximum width of 5 m and length of 35 m.
5-meter rolling stand
After high-pressure descaling, the slabs are rolled on the 4-meter-wide, no. 1 rolling stand. The final phase of the rolling process is carried out on the 5-meter-wide, no. 2 rolling stand, one of the largest and most powerfull in the world.
The rolling process is fully computer-aided, thus ensuring that both size and mechanical properties are completely uniform.
Slab heating furnaces
The slabs are heated to a temperature of approx. 1,200 °C in 2 modernised slab pusher furnaces. "ASCO", the cooling system located behind rolling stand no. 2, enables the production of plates with better mechanical properties.
Inspection area
Inspection of the top side of the plates takes place on the cooling beds, the opposite side is inspected after turning over the plates. If necessary they are levelled on a modern and powerful hot levelling machine (levelling force of 3,000 tons). The next step is the ultrasonic testing. This fully automatic facility detects 100% of internal flaws.
Shot blasting and coating
This plant is one of the most modern in Europe. After a precise rough surface inspection, the plates can be shot-blasted, primed and coated at customer request.
Cutting of plates
The plates are cut to the ordered lengths and widths, using side cut shears and separating shears. Automatic torch cutting machines are used for plates with thicknesses above 50 mm.
Heat treatment furnace
The desired metallurgical structure is achieved by normalising in a closed roller heat furnace and a continuous furnace.
Shipment
To ensure the demands of the various delivery conditions, the plates have to undergo several finishing and testing processes before final transportation to their destinations by truck, rail or ship.
Shipment