Revolutionizing Steel Mill Operations
Rolling Mill and EOT Cranes
At American Crane & Equipment Corporation, we are committed to delivering industry-leading manufacturing, maintenance, and installation services for a diverse range of material handling and overhead equipment applications.
Our services are unmatched, and we take pride in providing the best solutions to cater to your specific needs.
Steel rolling mills, in particular, demand the most reliable and high-quality crane solutions available. The cranes utilized in these environments must be capable of covering long distances at high speeds, handling extreme temperatures, and carrying loads of various shapes and sizes.
Our specialized rolling mill and EOT crane solutions are meticulously engineered to meet these rigorous demands, ensuring the safe and efficient handling of materials within steel rolling mill operations.
What are Steel Rolling Mill Plants?
Steel rolling mill plants are highly sophisticated manufacturing systems that produce a vast range of hot steel shapes and types. Intermediate steel products undergo rigorous shaping and finishing processes in these systems to obtain their final form and dimensions. Rolling mills produce extensive products, including wire rods, bars, angles, C-channels, joists, flat components and plates, beams, and both heavy- and lightweight steel sections.
Steel slabs undergo heating in a reheating furnace before being shaped in finishing, hot rolling, or cold rolling mills. This process is crucial as it helps reduce the slab’s thickness and improve its mechanical properties. Steel may sometimes undergo hot and cold rolling to achieve specific properties or dimensions. Hot rolling is typically used for larger thicknesses, while cold rolling is used for thinner gauges. The choice of which process to use depends on the steel product’s desired properties and end-use.
During the rolling process, the metal passes through pairs of rolls to reduce thickness and make it uniform. The process is referred to as “hot rolling” when the temperature of the metal is above its recrystallization temperature and “cold rolling” when the temperature is below its recrystallization temperature.
Depending on the specific application, manufacturers make use of various types of rolling mills, including:
- TMT Bar Rolling Mills: These mills produce TMT bars and rod steel, as well as deformed bars for use in the construction sector.
- Structural Rolling Mills: Using ingot and billets as raw materials, structural rolling mills produce I-beams (girders), U-channels, angles, T-sections, flats, rounds, and more.
- Light Section Mills: These mills produce smaller components such as gate channels, section squares and rounds, flats, Z-sections, T-sections, channels, 6 mm bars, and 8 mm bars, using rolling scarp, ship plate, and ingot as raw materials.
Advancing Hot Steel Handling in Rolling Mills
Rolling Mill Machinery: Rolling Mill and EOT Cranes (Electric Overhead Traveling Crane)
Rolling mills require high-performance machinery to handle and transport hot steel. Slabs and billets must often be moved at extremely high temperatures with exceptional reliability to maintain malleability. Electric Overhead Traveling Cranes (EOT cranes) are critical in this process. Their main functions include:
- Moving Hot Metal: There’s often a long distance between a plant’s melt shop and the rolling area, making transport cranes essential to the flow of manufacturing. They also can help feed steel into the rollers, as well as move the soft, hot metals from casting areas into storage and transport pieces to and from furnaces for reheating when necessary.
- Sensitive Positioning and Load Handling: Limited factory floor spaces demand efficient movement. Reliable cranes help operators make the most of their work areas, aiding in accurate positioning of steel on conveyors and the safe handling of the wide range of metal products that pass through the shop, including slabs, billets, and coils.
EOT cranes are the most commonly used type of overhead crane, and they can be found in most factories. These cranes are operated by electricity and can be controlled by a pendant, operator cabin, or radio/IR remote. For lifting heavier loads of 20 tons or more, double beam/girder bridge cranes offer additional support for the trolley and hoist. When the bridge girders ride on top of the runway beams, these cranes are considered “top running.”
Transforming Industrial Operations with Expert Solutions
Rolling Mill and EOT Cranes from American Crane
The team at American Crane is dedicated to providing top-notch material handling solutions that enhance workplace safety, efficiency, and ease of operation. We offer comprehensive services and products, including replacement parts and components, OSHA inspections, preventative maintenance, equipment rebuilds, emergency repairs, and in-house engineering and manufacturing support.
If you’re interested in learning more about our crane manufacturing capabilities and material handling solutions or want to discuss how we can assist with your next project, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.
