Wire rod line upgrade for wider diameters and record-breaking rolling speeds
Jingye (Yingkou) Medium Plate Co. Ltd. has signed a contract with SMS group to modernize its No.1 high speed wire rod line at its Yingkou plant in China, thereby expanding the line’s product diameter range. The upgrade will increase production capability and product quality for high-grade specialty steels. Jingye intends to meet evolving market demands in China, particularly for automotive and special applications. The commissioning is planned for Q4 2026.
Once completed, the upgraded line will expand its product spectrum to include smooth rounds of 5 to 25 millimeters in diameter and rebars ranging from 6 to 16 millimeters. Production capability is to be expanded to cover a wide portfolio of high-value steel grades, such as high carbon, tire cord, welding wire, cold heading, spring, tool, bearing, and free-cutting steels. Designed for a benchmark maximum rolling speed of 115 meters per second, the modernization will improve Jingye’s production efficiency, strengthen its capacity to meet market demand, and increase its product diversity.
The upgrade of the existing SMS high-speed wire rod line, implemented in 2012, covers the supply and integration of a core rolling solution consisting of an eight-stand finishing block and a four-stand MEERdrive®PLUS sizing block. Technological highlights include SMS’s mill design and integrated rolling process. The eight-stand finishing block features a V-type topcross 45-degree arrangement, ensuring twist-free rolling for high-precision and superior-quality surface results. Tungsten carbide rings provide an extended service life and can be quickly changed using hydraulic tools. Roll gaps are adjusted synchronously and symmetrically via screws and eccentric sleeves, thus maintaining consistent tolerances throughout the production process.
MEERdrive®PLUS brings SMS’s patented independent-drive concept to the sizing block for wire rod. Each stand is driven by its own motor and equipped with a gearbox offering multiple selectable ratios. This arrangement allows operators to select optimal rolling programs via the HMI and is well suited for heavy-duty operation. The combination of an ”oval–round–round–round” pass sequence with flexible, independent speed control ensures consistently tight tolerances and superior product quality across all sizes and grades.
Beyond the supply of equipment, SMS will provide process optimization support and operational training to ensure rapid ramp-up and stable production. With a local spare parts warehouse in Shanghai and a dedicated technical service team, SMS guarantees a fast response time and efficient long-term support.
This upgrade continues a productive partnership between Yingkou Jinghua Steel and SMS that dates back to 2012, building on a project that comprised four identical parallel wire rod lines designed for high-volume production.
