Primetals Technologies was awarded this contract on the basis of its technological competence for aluminum cold mills. The single stand 6-high non-reversing cold rolling mill was supplied to Shandong Nanshan Aluminum Co., Ltd., located in Longkou City, Shandong province, in east China, and started operation in 2025. The Primetals Technologies mill has been designed to meet Nanshan’s need for capacity of over 180,000 metric tons per annum at widths in excess of 2.2 meters, servicing the high-quality automotive sheet markets.
Challenge
The challenge faced by Nanshan Aluminum Co. Ltd. was the need to increase capacity to over 180,000 metric tons per annum at widths in excess of 2.2 meters.
The objective was to supply a single 6-high cold rolling mill with an intermediate roll shift function to minimize the undesirable contact between the work roll and the intermediate roll.
Nanshan Aluminum 6-high UC-Mill
Solution
The new mill is a 6-high cold rolling mill with an intermediate roll shift function to minimize the contact between the work roll and the intermediate roll. This undesirable contact deflects the work roll, potentially causing flatness errors. The UC-Mill requires only straight (no initial crown) rolls. In addition, the spot cooling system can compensate for local high spot crowns.
Primetals Technologies is responsible for the mechanical and electrical equipment supply, engineering, and advisory services for the implementation. The electric and automation solution comprises basic (level 1) and process (level 2) automation systems, drive systems, motors, instruments, and sensors.
Scope of Supply
Single 6-High Stands Including
- Roll gap control system (HYROP)
- Project block (bending/shifting)
- Pass line adjusting device
- Spray bar
- Work roll induction heating system
- Cold spot coolant system
- Edge Wipe
Entry/Exit Equipment Including
- Pay-off reel and tension reel
- Coil preparation station
- Coil handling device (pallet conveyor or coil car)
Automation and Drive System Including
- Level 1 (basic automation system), including:
- Automatic thickness control
- Automatic flatness control
- Roll eccentricity control
- Level 2 (process automation system) for accurate setup of the mill
- Medium-voltage and low-voltage drive systems
- Medium-voltage and low-voltage motors
- Sensors and measuring devices
- Motor control centers
Nanshan Aluminum 6-high UC-Mill
Results
The mill was installed in record time and to project plan.
The induction heater system servicing both top and bottom work rolls works in harmony with the Primetals Technologies spot cooling system, which is connected to our electrical and automation systems, compensates and removes localised flatness errors such as quarter buckle and tight edges. This ensures the challenge of high-end quality automotive finished products is met.
Plant Data
- Product: aluminum alloys 5XXX and 6XXX series
- Max. entry thickness: 9 mm
- Min. exit thickness: 0.2 mm
- Min./Max. strip width: 1,000–2,200 mm
- Max. coil weight: 28 tons
- Coil max. outside diameter: 2,800 mm
- Coil inside diameter: 610 mm
Rolling Mill Data
- Max. rolling speed: 1,200 m/min
- Stand power: 5,500 kW
Nanshan Aluminum 6-high UC-Mill
Benefits
- 6-high UC-Mill technology with proven reference for high rolling stability and excellent shape controllability
- HYROP-F system with FMV (Force Motor Valve) for high response and excellent performance of AGC control
- Only one kind of straight crown roll is needed to reduce roll inventory costs
- Various shape control actuators such as work roll/intermediate roll (IMR) bending, IMR shifting, and a precise spot cooling system for a wider range and flexible shape controllability
Conclusion
- Increase capacity to over 180,000 metric tons per annum at widths in excess of 2.2 meters
- A new single 6-high cold rolling mill
- Primetals Technologies is responsible for the mechanical and electrical equipment supply, engineering, and advisory services for the implementation
