SMS Group and Acciaierie d’Italia: Strategic on-site overhaul

SMS group has successfully completed a major service intervention at Acciaierie d’Italia’s (ADI) tandem cold rolling mill in Genoa, reinforcing the plant’s production stability and long-term performance. The operation focused on the refurbishment of a rotary mandrel that had been in continuous use for 15 years, playing a key role in the facility’s output of approximately 1.5 million tons of tinplate and electrolytic chrome-coated strip per year—primarily for the food packaging industry.

The project addressed critical wear, particularly on the spherical plain bearings of the rotary mandrel, while also replacing essential components such as hollow shafts, spur gears, bearing shafts, and support rollers. In a move aimed at minimizing disruption, the decision was made to carry out the repair on site. SMS maintained round-the-clock operations during the service period, ensuring a rapid return to production and reducing the risk of unplanned downtimes.

“The partnership with SMS group has proven invaluable for the maintenance and optimization of our plant,” ADI stated. “Thanks to precise planning, innovative technologies, and seamless coordination, we efficiently implemented the repair of our rotary mandrel, saving valuable time and costs while improving the plant’s reliability and performance.”

SMS group had been closely monitoring the condition of the rotary mandrel since 2019 through regular site inspections. Early detection of critical bearing wear in 2022 enabled ADI to pre-order spare parts and prepare the site for a streamlined intervention. The replacement of the four-meter-diameter, 55-ton rotor was carried out using advanced tools including induction heating devices and hydraulic tightening systems rated up to M80. The installation of a new 900-mm spherical plain bearing was completed with high precision.

Christian Werner, Solutions Flat Products at SMS, emphasized the value of proactive service strategies: “This project underscores the importance of close collaboration with our customers. Our proactive diagnosis and precise planning not only restored operational safety but significantly reduced downtime and costs for Acciaierie d’Italia. We are proud to support ADI in sustainably optimizing their plants.”

Source and Photo: SMS Group