About andre

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far andre has created 18 blog entries.
24 06, 2021

The Slitting Line and Steel Slitting Process Explained

2021-06-24T18:47:26+00:00June 24th, 2021|News Blog, NMC Media|

 

Steel is an alloy of iron that is mixed with carbon which improves its strength and durability. Combine these properties with its low cost and you have a perfectly-suited alloy for a multitude of uses in various end applications, including (but not limited to) automotive, infrastructure, and appliance/HVAC.

Enter the role of steel processors. Steel processing companies like National Material Company provide manufacturers with the right steel material for their industry. This article will focus on the topic of steel slitting and how the slitting process works.

Steel slitting is a steel manufacturing process wherein a coil of steel is slit into the lengths and widths specified by the end application. This process requires machinery lines equipped with a decoiler, slitter, and a recoiler — to achieve the end product: slit steel coils, or “mults.”

An operator will feed the steel coil onto the uncoiler mandrel. The uncoiler unwinds the master coil, feeding it into the slitter head where the steel will be slit into narrow mults (strips) by rotary knives. The operator then inspects the individual mults to ensure the gauge width and edge condition meet required specifications. The mults will then travel through a looping pit to insure stress-free and camber-free recoiling of the slit material. Individual mults are then banded and packaged to specific customer requirements.

This process requires careful precision. Leading steel processing company NMC operates several steel service centers in the United States and Mexico using robust precision slitting machines equipped with advanced technology in software, tooling practices, and hardware. This helps National Material Company streamline their production and reduces their time to delivery. NMC thoroughly checks their equipment for alignment and regularly calibrates their machine line to help reduce scrap and overall cost.

 

National Material Company spent decades perfecting the art of steel processing to provide only the best to their clients, earning their position as a top steel processor. NMC guarantees top tier quality for all of your steel supply needs, and they also offer a wide variety of steel processing capabilities.

 

About National Material L.P. – National Material L.P. (NMLP) has been in the steel service industry since 1964. Operating 16 steel service centers and processing facilities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico makes them one of the largest independent steel service centers in North America. For more information about National Material L.P, visit www.nmlp.com

To find out more information about NMC’s products and services, please visit us at www.nationalmaterial.com or call (U.S.) 847-806-7200 to speak with a sales representative.

26 04, 2021

What is Steel Processing? The Processes That Shape and Support our World

2021-04-26T16:18:27+00:00April 26th, 2021|News Blog, NMC Media|

It is easy to take the miracle of mass-produced steel for granted. Just in 2019, 1869.9 million tons (Mt) of steel rolled out of facilities and into our appliances, cars, planes, buildings, roads, and beyond. Yet, the steel processing that we enjoy today has been a work in progress for centuries, a work that, today, is evolving towards greener, more eco-friendly production.

 

What steps go into the processes that shape and support our world?

Raw Materials:

 

As has been done in the past, much of today’s steel processing begins with mined raw materials: iron ore, coal, and limestone. The molten iron produced from these initial materials are transformed into steel using a basic oxygen furnace or a modern electric arc furnace

However, the steel industry’s commitment to green processes means that every year in the United States, 70 million tons of steel are recycled, producing astonishing energy and raw material savings by the American Steel industry. According to World Steel, “A basic oxygen furnace can be charged with as much as 30% steel scrap. An electric furnace can be charged with 100% steel scrap. On average, new steel products contain 37% recycled steel.”

 

Refining, Adjusting, and Casting:

 

After the production of molten steel, a flurry of different processes can be applied, the most basic of which is when elements are either added or taken away to manipulate the final characteristics of the steel. Currently there are over 3,000 steel grades, each with a different balance of elements and heating adjustments to produce the desired properties. This includes the advanced high-strength steel grades.

 

When finished undergoing secondary steel making processes, molten steel is cast into “semifinished” billet, bloom, or slabs preparing the steel for its final physical shape.

 

Forming, Fabricating, and Finishing:

 

Afterwards, steel processing service centers take steel billets, blooms, and slabs and create deliverable steel products. This includes forming steel through hot rolling and cold rolling, and applying processes such as:

  • Steel Blanking
  • Steel Pickling
  • Steel Slitting
  • Shearing
  • Leveling
  • Milling
  • Saw Cutting
  • Drilling
  • Flame Cutting
  • Tumbler
  • Burning

The steel service centers then deliver the steel to final manufacturers who will transform it into a final, consumer product such as automobiles and appliances.

Coming full circle:

As mentioned earlier, The EPA estimates that nearly 70% of U.S. steel is recycled, meaning that the life cycle and processing of steel never truly ends, but begins again to create a healthier environmental future.

About NMC’s parent company: NMLP

Since its founding in 1964, National Material Limited Partnership (NMLP) has grown to over 30 business units and is now one of the largest suppliers of steel in North America. The National Material group of industrial businesses consists of the Steel Group, Stainless and Alloys Group, Raw Material Trading Group, Aluminum Group, and Related Operations.

Become an NMC customer today! Visit NMC at www.nationalmaterial.com. You can contact sales via our website or call us at 847-806-7200.

31 03, 2021

Demand For Steel Processing Grows in 2021

2021-03-31T18:34:29+00:00March 31st, 2021|News Blog|

 

Leading steel processor National Material Company, like the rest of the steel industry, is watching carefully as steel demand recovers in 2021. As the coronavirus pandemic affected all areas of the global economy, 2020 was a year like no other, and we are grateful for the cautious hope the new year brings.

As supply chains continue to stabilize, shipments of raw materials from other countries and manufacturing of parts has resumed. The World Steel Association says it expects steel demand to recover in 2021 to 1,717 million metric tons, an increase of 3.8 percent compared with 2020. The recovery of steel demand will be more visible in the second half of 2021, World Steel predicts, and will be driven by construction, especially infrastructure investment, as the government has put forward several new infrastructure initiatives.

What does this mean for American steel processors? According to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, steelmakers idled about one-third of domestic production capacity for flat-rolled steel last spring when their customers canceled orders and closed plants to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Since many factories reopened a month or two later, steel demand for cars, appliances, and machinery has rebounded, thanks, in part, to rising purchases from homebound consumers.

  • From Nasdaq:

American steel stocks have seen recent gains on hopes that the sizable infrastructure spending would have a beneficial effect on the U.S. steel industry given the expected increase in consumption of the commodity that is used to make almost everything from rail tracks to roads to bridges and tunnels.

Steel makers are seeing strong order booking in automotive. Recovery in the automotive industry has accelerated following pandemic-led shutdowns on the back of strong customer demand. The automotive rebound is driving demand for flat steel products globally.

Moreover, the revival in the construction sector globally is driving demand for long and flat steel products in this major market. The construction sector has also bounced back on the heels of a resumption of projects that were stalled earlier due to supply chain disruptions and manpower shortage. In particular, the non-residential construction market remains resilient (read full article here).

Response to adversity is what will determine the outcome of the story. Historically, the American steel industry is as resilient as it gets, built on a foundation that literally supports our entire country’s infrastructure.

As OEMs and large companies that utilize steel processing services take another step forward into 2021, they may be wise to ask themselves, “Are there strategic partnerships that will strengthen competitive positioning and business resiliency?” After all, in the steel industry, great end products await at the end of the rainbow.

Alt tag: A warehouse with 2 rows of

Why National Material Company?

As a leader in steel processing capabilities, supply chain management, and inventory control, NMC is the perfect choice for any customer in search of the best experience possible. A dedicated workforce, state-of-the-art slitters, cut-to-length lines, and warehouse storage capabilities make NMC the premiere steel manufacturing company in North America. Locations throughout the United States and […]

8 02, 2021

Steel’s Versatility: Why the Steel Industry Stands the Test of Time

2021-02-08T20:20:57+00:00February 8th, 2021|News Blog|

Steel’s broad applicability has made it the world’s sweetheart. It’s a stalwart in everything from modern décor, to structural elements, to specialty parts in aerospace, automotive, shipbuilding, military, and infrastructure industries. Even landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and the Gateway Arch shine bright with steel produced by the American steel service industry.

Futurists, such as Elon Musk, have called steel “the best decision they have ever made.” The ancient general Alexander called strong enemies “walls of steel.” All this praise speaks to steel’s remarkable characteristics. In this blog, we will focus our attention specifically on steel’s versatility.

Steel can be used in a broad swath of temperature ranges

  • Highs

High-temperature grades of stainless steel can be used in temperatures up to 2100° F. This allows them to be used in furnaces, ovens, boilers, valves, and pipes. This also makes them ideal in the aerospace industry.

  • Lows

In low temperatures, many steel grades tend to become brittle after a certain threshold. A case in point was the steel hull of the Titanic which suffered brittle fracture in the steel bolts.  However, modern steel grades have vastly improved on their low temperature range with cryogenic steels that show 100 Joules of toughness at -196 degrees Celsius.

In low temperatures, many steel grades tend to become brittle after a certain threshold. A case in point was the steel hull of the Titanic which suffered brittle fracture in the steel bolts.  However, modern steel grades have vastly improved on their low temperature range with cryogenic steels that show 100 Joules of toughness at -196 degrees Celsius.

Steel: perfect for exposure to chemicals and the elements

  • Hygiene

Stainless steel’s resistance to corrosion allows it to withstand many chemical cleaners. This makes it an ideal surface for many industries that require high levels of hygiene, especially in such applications as kitchens and chemistry labs.

  • Longevity

The Chrysler building’s stainless-steel roof, a pinnacle of Art Deco architecture, has only been cleaned three times since its construction in 1930! This is a strong flex on steel’s longevity and anti-corrosion properties that can resist the most damaging natural elements.

The average life of a steel product? 40 years.

Innovation and Specialization

The secret to steel’s versatility is the process of constant improvement since its discovery more than 4,000 years ago. With so much research, it’s no wonder that steel is such a specialized metal with an intricate grading system to categorize every form of steel.

  • Specialization

Whatever the job, there is a steel grade for it. Different techniques cause variances in ductility, toughness, machinability, and ability to be welded.

According to the World Steel Association, there are more than 3,500 grades of steel, each with its own unique properties. This includes the grades known as advanced high strength steels.

  • Innovation

When Hittites were creating steel 3,000 years ago, they probably created it by accident when the carbon from their furnaces mixed with iron. Since then, metalworkers have not only perfected the creation of different steel […]

21 11, 2020

The Best Jobs in Steel Processing: Steel Service Center Listings

2020-12-15T18:49:22+00:00November 21st, 2020|News Blog|

Are you dynamic, hardworking, smart, and ready for any new challenge? If you fit this description, you are a person of steel. Come join one of America’s most prestigious industries, with a history as colorful and powerful as any. This is not your grandfather’s steel service and processing industry. Today, more than ever, experienced, and skilled workers are needed to run all the aspects of our sophisticated steel processing plants.

Common steel processing job listings include:

Metallurgist and Quality Testing Specialist – Inspects and tests all incoming steel master coils and outgoing finished goods to customers to meet customer and in-house quality requirements.

Processing Equipment Operators – Highly trained to set-up and run all steel service center equipment including pickling, galvanizing, slitters, leveling, cut-to-length, blanking, and other processes.

Plant Maintenance Specialist – Provides repair and scheduled maintenance services to keep the operations of the plant reliable and efficient.

Plant Scheduling Planner – Receives processing work orders from an inside sales specialist and schedules plant equipment and processing equipment operators to complete customer purchase orders for processing services and finished goods.

Plant Safety Specialist – Provides training and support to ensure the health and safety of employees and to meet all state and national regulations and reporting requirements.

Outside Sales Associate – Utilizes marketing and company product and services information to call on new and existing customers to sell products and available services.

Steel Products and Process Quoting Specialist – Supports the sales team with accurate and competitive quotes to meet the customer product specifications and cost targets.

Steel Purchasing Specialist – Works with steel mills to buy master coil steel inventory and other products to support service center cost, quality, and delivery timing to meet the customer needs.

Steel Logistics Specialist – Schedules and negotiates cost for all truck and rail freight to support timing for incoming master coils and outgoing finished goods to customers.

Inside Sales Specialist – Manages all purchase orders from customers for new and repeat steel finished goods and processing requests. Creates work orders to all the service center internal groups for required steel master coils, requesting internal processing services, and shipping finished goods to the customer.

HR Specialist – Recruits, hires, provides training for new employees, and company benefit support. Ensures that the company is meeting all EEOC and other regulations and reporting requirements.

IT Specialist – Provides all computer-related services and equipment to support company requirements.

Marketing Specialist – Creates marketing information in various media formats describing the capabilities, manufacturing specialties, and locations of company assets.

With the sophistication of the today’s steel environment, workers in service centers and processing facilities are the foundation of success for steel companies. That’s why companies like NMC foster a respectful and appreciative atmosphere designed for the well-being of the workers. As one of the largest-growing, independent steel service centers and processing facilities, NMC is constantly looking for new talent ready to help in the expansion of the business. NMC offers a competitive benefits package for team members:

Quotes from our workers:

I like […]

Go to Top