The special rolling mill independently developed the “steel-polishing” end-splitting technology, achieving a breakthrough in both bar quality and efficiency.
At the critical juncture of concluding the 14th Five-Year Plan and launching the 15th Five-Year Plan, Special Steel Company has achieved remarkable technological breakthroughs. From the successful implementation of the intelligent ladle decoupling monitoring system at the steelmaking plant to the stable operation of the “boiler continuous exhaust waste heat recovery replacing shift building steam” project at the energy plant, these innovations continue to enrich the essence of “Special Steel Craftsmanship”. Recently, the Special Rolling Plant has delivered another milestone: The “Yougang Pao” Qitou technology, independently developed by a team of skilled craftsmen including Cheng Xiangzhong, Zhu Chengjun, Li Hongkui, and Zhang Haifeng, has been successfully applied in the first billet grouping zone, yielding significant results.
For years, uneven rod ends have plagued the cold bed conveying process. To improve product appearance, manufacturers traditionally use impact baffles in the hot sawing zone for forced alignment. However, this method disrupts production efficiency and often causes rod end warping, compromising both performance and aesthetics. Subsequent straightening requires significant manpower and equipment investment, resulting in high costs and suboptimal outcomes—particularly evident in small-diameter rods.
To address this bottleneck, the specialized rolling mill’s technical team conducted field research, collected critical data, and held expert discussions, ultimately proposing an innovative solution to replace “tail alignment” with “head alignment”. The team independently developed a “steel-throwing” head alignment control system, achieving comprehensive innovations in equipment structure, control systems, and production processes. A positioning device was installed in the skirt plate area to enable automatic rod head alignment through modular linkage. The upgraded control system automatically triggers steel flipping when the rod head reaches the preset position, eliminating the need for impact alignment. Technologically, the system transitioned from “steel-free throwing” to “steel-throwing” for “soft head alignment”, effectively preventing rod bending at the source.
Since its implementation, this technology has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness. In terms of quality, the straightness qualification rate of bar products has significantly improved. Taking the φ50-φ60 specification as an example, each set of rolled billets now reduces bend allowance by 9-10 sections, effectively controlling quality risks and further enhancing customer satisfaction. Regarding efficiency, eliminating impact alignment and online sorting processes saves 10-20 seconds per batch of bars while reducing online sorting time by approximately 5 minutes. The hourly production capacity for φ50-φ60 specifications has increased by about 10 tons, with hourly efficiency gains reaching around 1,000 yuan. In cost terms, eliminating offline sorting, straightening, and secondary packaging reduces straightening load by approximately 900kg per set of rolled billets, saving 45 yuan in straightening costs and continuously demonstrating economic benefits.
Craftsmanship forges dreams, innovation leads the future. The artisan team at Special Steel Rolling Plant has driven production line automation upgrades through internal potential tapping and independent innovation, serving as a microcosm of the company’s technological breakthroughs. Across production workshops and research frontlines, model workers embody the artisan spirit of “persistent dedication, meticulous refinement, rigorous attention to detail, and pursuit of excellence.” They forge “Special Steel Premium Products” amidst steel sparks and scale technical peaks through data-driven approaches. A vibrant atmosphere of “learning, catching up, helping, and surpassing” permeates the entire factory, where small inventions, innovations, and design proposals emerge continuously, fully showcasing grassroots employees’ creative wisdom and vitality. Through practical commitment, Special Steel professionals are actively writing a grand chapter of corporate leapfrog development.