SMS Group completes automation upgrade at Jingye Steel’s heavy plate mill

SMS group has successfully completed a comprehensive modernization of the automation systems at Jingye Steel Co., Ltd.’s five-meter heavy plate mill in Yingkou, Liaoning Province. The upgrade was carried out during the plant’s scheduled annual maintenance shutdown and is aimed at improving system availability, operational safety, and long-term flexibility.

Originally commissioned by SMS group in 2009, the mill resumed production after a ten-day scheduled outage, with the core upgrade work completed in just eight days. The project was facilitated by the companies’ ongoing cooperation under an annual X-Pact® Service contract, which enabled detailed planning and minimized disruption to production.

The scope of the modernization included an update of the X-Pact® ProBAS level 1 automation system across the roughing mill, finishing mill, and hot plate leveler. The system was enhanced with X-Pact® Embedded controllers and high-speed EtherCAT I/O technology, supporting faster communication, efficient data handling, and improved system reliability.

Safety modules were also replaced as part of the upgrade, aligning the facility with current operational safety standards. The updated system now operates on an open hardware and software platform, offering compatibility with various technologies and flexibility for future expansions and integration projects.

The modernization reflects SMS group’s approach to long-term customer support through lifecycle management and technical adaptability. “SMS designs and builds plate mills for the long run. Our goal is to maintain and expand the performance of our customers’ plants throughout their entire lifecycle,” said Christoph Stappenbeck, Vice President of Automation, Digital and Service Solutions at SMS group in China.

Jingye Steel’s plant director, Wang Hailong, welcomed the outcome of the project, noting that the support from SMS’s automation and service teams ensured efficient execution and alignment with operational needs.

The heavy plate mill at Jingye Steel has a production capacity of 2.3 million tons per year and serves a range of industrial sectors including shipbuilding, pressure vessels, pipelines, and structural steel applications. With the upgraded automation in place, the facility is positioned to sustain high production levels and support future technological developments.

Source and Photo: SMS Group