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 389 heats during the record sequence. The total tonnage cast during this period was a notable 61,972 tons of Crude Steel. The previous best casting of 380 heats was recorded in October 2024.
Notably, the casting operation began on 22.11.2024 at 20:00 hrs and concluded on 5th December, 2024 at 04:00 hrs, with a total casting duration of 11 days and 12 hours. During the common shut down of caster-1 & 2 for Caster-IV project activity, only Caster-3 was in operation and maintained the production rhythm. The sequence of this impressive feat Caster-3 underwent 2(TWO) online size changes, demonstrating the operation’s flexibility and efficiency, with 51 heats at 2200×250 mm, 23 heats at 2020×250 mm, 315 heats at 1850×250 mm.
In terms of tundish operations, the team achieved 16 tundish flyings, using a total of 17 tundishes. The average number of heats per tundish was 22.88, with each tundish lasting an average of 16 hours and 18 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.
