Baosteel invests in gearbox upgrade for its high-capacity, SMS group-supplied hot strip mill

• SMS group’s precise and efficient gearbox modernization in Baosteel’s high-capacity hot strip mill ensures optimized performance with no additional downtime and solidifies their strategic partnership
• With over 100 million tons produced up to 2011, the facility plays a pivotal role in China’s industrial evolution

With the completion of a critical overhaul of the gearboxes in the 2050-millimeter hot strip mill at Baoshan Iron & Steel (Baosteel) in Shanghai, China, SMS group has brought a significant maintenance project to a successful conclusion. The service package included the online measurement and adjustment of the gearboxes on both sides of the slab sizing press, disassembly, offline inspection and testing, and the replacement of the bearings on the input and output shafts, all conducted during the mill’s planned annual overhaul for 2025. Baosteel thanked SMS group’s service team for the competent and efficient execution, with no additional downtime required for the upgrade.

As one of the key projects in Baosteel’s maintenance campaign, SMS delivered end-to-end support – from initial technical consultation and meticulous planning to on-site installation guidance and commissioning. The team’s commitment to excellence ensured accurate disassembly and reassembly, comprehensive inspections of key components, including housing deformation and wear analyses, gear flank testing, and dynamic balance verification of synchronizing shafts. These detailed evaluations enabled a full assessment of the condition of the gearboxes and provided vital data for Baosteel’s long-term maintenance strategy.

Baosteel expressed its profound appreciation of SMS’s technical expertise and problem-solving capabilities. One customer representative remarked, “The attention to detail and the commitment of the service team to addressing our needs were particularly impressive. This customer-centric approach and responsive collaboration ensured seamless execution of the project and optimized equipment performance of our hot rolling mill. Thanks to SMS group’s professional expertise and rigorous work ethic, the gearbox maintenance was a resounding success. We look forward to continuing our partnership to drive mutual growth.”

Baosteel’s 2050-millimeter hot rolling line, commissioned in 1989 with equipment supplied by SMS, represents a cornerstone of China’s industrial advancement. The slab sizing press, also delivered by SMS, was installed in 2013, further enhancing the mill’s capabilities. The hot rolling line, with a design capacity of four million tons per year, has consistently surpassed expectations, averaging an annual output of over five million tons and achieving a production capacity of six million tons. Since its inception, the cumulative output up to 2011 exceeded 100 million tons, reflecting its pivotal role in China’s industrial landscape.

This successful maintenance project underscores the sophistication and reliability of SMS’s technological expertise and its dedication to fostering long-term service partnerships with industry leaders such as Baosteel. Looking ahead, SMS will strengthen customer engagement through regular technical exchanges and enhanced communication channels, delivering higher-value support throughout the equipment lifecycle.