Dillinger France orders SMS group upgrade for Dunkirk plate leveler

Dillinger France has awarded SMS group a contract to modernize the cold plate leveler at its heavy plate mill in Dunkirk, France. The upgrade will enable the plant to process a wider range of high-strength steel grades while retaining its existing mechanical equipment.

The project involves replacing the leveling control system originally supplied by SMS group in 1999 with the latest generation of X-Pact Plate Leveler Control. The new system is designed to improve plate flatness and reduce residual stresses, particularly when processing advanced high-strength steels.

At the centre of the modernization is an updated process model that calculates optimized settings for roll positions, bending forces and torque distribution according to the steel grade being processed. The system will allow higher over-stretching rates during leveling, extending the range of products that can be processed on the existing equipment.

An integrated 9/5-roll operating mode will provide additional flexibility by allowing the leveler to handle different plate requirements without changing rolls. According to SMS group, the upgrade will expand the mill's product capabilities without requiring major mechanical modifications.

The modernization is scheduled for completion by December 2027. Before commissioning, the new process model will initially operate in shadow mode alongside the existing system, allowing its performance to be validated under actual production conditions.

Dillinger France, part of the Dillinger Group, produces more than 600,000 tonnes of heavy plate annually at its Dunkirk facility. Its products are used in offshore wind energy, mechanical engineering, line pipe and boiler construction.

The investment is intended to support the production of increasingly demanding steel grades while extending the capabilities of the existing leveling equipment.

Source and Photo: SMS Group