In the early hours of March 29, 2026, Huaxi Steel's flat bar production line was fully operational after a month of intensive commissioning. This marks the industry's first complete application of a rolling line automation system built entirely with domestic hardware and software, and developed by MCC Huatian's Nanjing Electrical Engineering & Technology Co., Ltd.
Upgrading a Legacy Line
Huaxi Steel's original flat bar line, commissioned in 2003, consisted of only 8 rolling mills and focused on wide flat bars. To expand product variety and increase output, the company decided to upgrade.
The revamped line now produces flat bars from 40mm to 420mm, adds spring flat bar capability, and introduces a pioneering domestic process that accommodates both wide and narrow specifications. This innovation placed high demands on rolling mill layout, cooling bed collection, and flying shear applications—the core challenges of the upgrade.
Pioneering Localization
Leveraging its expertise in long products, MCC Huatian collaborated with Huaxi Steel to finalize the upgrade plan. To advance domestic automation in rolling lines, the project adopted a domestic PLC for the control system. Given the lack of industry precedent, a "primary and parallel" strategy was used: the primary approach employed domestic PLCs throughout, while a backup plan ensured proven alternatives were ready if needed—balancing localization with project stability.
A Dedicated Team
MCC Huatian's Electrical Company formed a dedicated project team, completing the full scope from technical research, simulation, and programming to on-site deployment and commissioning. Integrating domestic software and aligning it with production processes emerged as the core challenge. Through persistence and collaboration, the team overcame each obstacle.
48-Hour Sprint to Success
In early March 2026, the project entered on-site commissioning. Despite multiple projects starting concurrently after the Chinese New Year, the team ensured sufficient resources were available.
From system setup to hot testing, numerous issues arose. Many on-site requirements were uncharted territory for domestic software. Leveraging years of automation experience, the team responded swiftly, adjusting programming structures and optimizing logic to ensure perfect system adaptation.
After a continuous 48-hour effort, the line was fully operational on March 29. This achievement earned client recognition and strengthened the "MCC Huatian, Green Tomorrow" brand.
A Milestone for the Industry
The success of Huaxi Steel's flat bar line marks a crucial first step in the localization of rolling line automation. Its 100% China-made approach sets a significant industry benchmark and provides valuable experience for future localization efforts.
