SMS group has completed an automation system upgrade for Jingye Steel Co., Ltd.'s five-meter heavy plate mill in Yingkou, China. The mill, originally installed in 2009, resumed production quickly after an efficient eight-day upgrade, integrated into its annual maintenance schedule.

The modernization brought the X-Pact® ProBAS level 1 automation system to the latest standards for the roughing mill, finishing mill, and hot plate leveler. This improvement used X-Pact® Embedded controllers and a high-speed EtherCAT I/O system, improving reliability, maintenance, and overall performance. Safety modules were also updated.

The new system features an open hardware and system platform, allowing for future expansion flexibility.

Wang Hailong, Jingye Steel's plant director, commended the SMS team for their diligent and efficient work. The mill has an annual output of 2.3 million tons, producing steel for shipbuilding, pipelines, and other demanding applications.