SMS group has continuously advanced sizing and finishing mill technology for SBQ production to meet rising industry demands for precision, throughput, and flexibility. Building on the success of 3-roll mechanics introduced in the 1950s, the SMS Precision Sizing Mill (PSM®) combines proven mechanical design with modern hydraulic control and individual-drive technology, delivering tighter dimensional control, reduced material waste, and lower production costs. The PSM® is engineered for modern SBQ production, capable of rolling a wide range of grades in diameters from 25 to 83 mm. By aligning robust mechanics with digital control and modular drives, SMS provides a flexible, energy-efficient solution tailored to the mechanical and automotive industries.
PSM® sets new benchmarks for product tolerances and production efficiency for SBQ producers
The automotive industry, in particular, demands ever-tighter tolerances from steel producers. The PSM® offers a flexible solution for modern SBQ production. A key feature of the PSM® is hydraulic adjustment under load, which allows the rolling gap to be changed within milliseconds during the rolling process. This three-roll PSM® can achieve diameter tolerances six to ten times tighter than required by the DIN standard, and temperature-independent across the full length of the bar. Hydraulic adjustment ensures precise force control, improving material handling and enabling the mill to react in real time to deviations and hit target size on the first bar without trial runs. The mill’s integrated online measurement and closed-loop size control enable continuous, automated corrections that improve yield and reduce scrap. The PSM® has become a preferred solution for SBQ grades, offering superior surface quality and dimensional consistency across a wide size range.
Core operational advantages of the PSM® include single-pass family rolling across many sizes (four-size PSM, handling products from 12 to 160 mm round and equivalent square and hexagon sections), a wide free-size range that reduces roll inventory, ultra-short stand changeover times (minutes rather than hours), and tolerances as tight as 1/8 DIN 10060. The PSM® achieves maximum rolling speeds up to 20 m/s. These features translate into real production benefits: fewer roll sets to manage, faster changeovers, and first-bar-in tolerance.
Minimizing roll-change time through automation in PSM® mill operations
During a roll change, the prepared PSM® mill stands are transported from the roll shop to the change position on a change car supplied by SMS group. As soon as the stands are in the exchange position, the change procedure can begin. For minor dimension changes, not all five stands need to be exchanged, reducing effort and cost. Extension and retraction of the stands are fully automatic. Moreover, automation is pre-set because the positions of the roll rings are transmitted from the roll shop in advance. Therefore, a dimension change or the exchange of used stands can be completed within a few minutes.
Low-voltage motors for each roll with technological control system
At SMS group, a major recent advancement is the shift from traditional single-motor-per-stand drives to an individual motor-per-roll architecture. By assigning a dedicated low-voltage motor to each roll, the PSM® delivers unprecedented control and flexibility. Independent motor control via the technological control system (TCS) enables instantaneous, load-aware adjustments tailored to specific sizes and grades. The result is closer dimensional tolerances, excellent surface quality, and reduced mechanical complexity. Small, efficient motors also lower energy consumption and maintenance needs, typically cutting roll ring inventory and service costs substantially.
Increased product quality for SBQ production
Thermomechanical rolling, integrated with the PSM®, further enhances material properties by combining controlled deformation and accelerated cooling to refine microstructure and increase mechanical properties. Product quality assurance is strengthened by SMS group’s TBK dimensional in-line autonomous laser measurement system, which minimizes material waste through precise, real-time dimensional control. Complementing this, the surface defect detection system provides inline analysis and immediate feedback to ensure consistent surface quality throughout the rolling process.
SMS group’s global workshop network enables fast spare parts supply and reduced downtime
SMS group is close to its customers due to a global workshop network, providing significant logistics advantages and shorter lead times for spare parts delivery, as well as regional repair workshop availability. Regional refurbishment and exchange cassette strategies minimize transportation efforts, reduce delivery times, and significantly lower downtime. These measures are supported by globally standardized repair kits and a structured refurbishment workflow, ensuring fast and reliable spare parts availability. Regular planned inspections combined with local repair capabilities accelerate turnaround times, enhance operational flexibility, and maintain high plant availability, while OEM-quality parts ensure long-term reliability and consistent performance.