The Continuous Casting Machine-3 (CCM-3) of Steel Melting Shop-2 (SMS-2) department of SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) has set a fresh record in casting the longest ever sequence of heats. The unit registered an all time best casting of 380 heats during the record sequence. The total tonnage cast during this period was a notable 60,200 tons of Crude Steel. The previous best casting of 309 heats was recorded in January 2024.
Notably, the casting operation began on 30th September at 13:28 hrs and concluded on 12th October at 09:55 hrs, with a total casting duration of 11 days and 20 hours. During the sequence of this impressive feat Caster-3 underwent five online size changes, demonstrating the operation’s flexibility and efficiency, with 32 heats at 2200×250 mm, 142 heats at 2020×250 mm, 127 heats at 1850×250 mm, 11 heats at 1650×250 mm, 46 heats at 1600×250 mm, and 22 heats at 1550×250 mm.
In terms of tundish operations, the team achieved 17 tundish flyings, using a total of 18 tundishes. The average number of heats per tundish was 21.11, with each tundish lasting an average of 15 hours and 51 minutes.
The concerted efforts of the entire production chain and the supporting agencies viz. Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Research & Control Lab (RCL) and Production Planning & Control (PPC) helped the department achieve the target.
