TimkenSteel commissions world's largest jumbo bloom vertical caster

TimkenSteel, a provider of alloy steel products and services, held an open house ceremony April 17 to celebrate the commissioning of its jumbo bloom vertical caster, the largest of its kind in the world, according to the company, at the Faircrest Steel Plant in Canton, Ohio.

The $200 million caster makes sections of special bar quality (SBQ) steel that measure up to 18 by 24 in., referred to as jumbo blooms, which are later rolled into bars and tubes. Since its first heat in October 2014, the caster has produced more than 45,000 tons of steel blooms in more than 300 heats.

Rising more than 180 ft. above ground and descending 90 ft. below ground for an overall height of 270 ft., the caster uses a vertical design that allows for continuous casting of high-alloy grades.