SMS group has upgraded a hot rolling mill for Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill B.S.C. (GARMCO).
The upgrades include the motors and drives in the one-stand reversing hot rolling mill, originally built by a third-party rolling mill supplier.
This project aims to enhance the mill’s operational efficiency and reliability while equipping it to meet future demands in the aluminium processing sector.
The scope of the project included the replacement of outdated DC motors with three-phase AC motors and cutting edge drive technology, including variable frequency drive systems powered by active front ends and new transformers.
The novel drive system, built to deliver 20% higher torque compared to the mill’s original design capacity, has restored GARMCO’s hot rolling mill to full operational capacity and positioned it as a facility capable of advancing research and development in aluminium hot rolling.
Central to the modernisation was SMS group's twin-motor drive train equipment.
Key components included a tailored gearbox for combining two electric motors with a rated power of 2150 kilowatts each and two SMS giant torque spindles.
Combined with SMS group's highly advanced gear design, this drive train concept provides unique power capabilities and significantly reduces both investment costs and space requirements, while allowing for some degree of redundancy.
In addition to the two main motors for the mill, SMS group also supplied the X-Pact Drive low-voltage frequency converter for the entry and exit coilers, a medium-voltage converter operated in load share mode, as well as transformers to feed the new systems.
The equipment is tailored to meet the demands of GARMCO’s operations, which include the production of aluminium coils, tread plates, slit coils, and foils for diverse industrial applications such as packaging and heat exchange systems.
This successful collaboration was the first of its kind between both companies. However, previously SMS group has supported GARMCO with technical services for its scalper machine.
Ebrahim Khalil, Executive Manager Operations at GARMCO, stated: “The completion of this modernisation project is a testament to our commitment to maintaining world-class operational standards.
“SMS group’s expertise and advanced technological solutions have provided us with greater reliability and efficiency in our hot mill operations.”
With this upgrade, GARMCO’s hot rolling mill is poised to deliver sustained operational excellence, ensuring the production of high-quality aluminium products for its customers.
