Samara Metallurgical Plant: history, production, products

JSC "Samara Metallurgical Plant" (SMZ) is the leading domestic enterprise in the field of aluminum production and manufacturing on its basis a variety of products and semi-finished products. Since 2005 it is a structural subdivision of the international corporation Alcoa.

Base

The construction of the Samara Metallurgical Plant was due to a sharp demand for aluminum products that arose after the end of World War II. Once expensive, little-used metal during the Second World War has proved to be relatively light, corrosion-resistant, and a durable material. Technologies were developed to facilitate its smelting and reduce the cost price.

In the late 40's, the government thought about building a large combine for the production of semi-finished products from aluminum (sheet rolled products, ribbons, packages, stamping, finished products). The city of Kuibyshev (now Samara) is chosen as the location for the new plant, which has a high human and technological potential.

The largest in Europe

After the necessary geological surveys and the development of a technical design, in 1951 earthworks began to work on clearing foundation pits under the foundations of future production buildings. Since the project was a priority, construction was carried out at a faster pace. According to the plans, according to the performance, SMZ should outshine all existing similar enterprises not only in the USSR, but also in Europe.

The first among the shops was repaired-mechanical (1953). Its capacities were used to manufacture non-standard structures and equipment for the needs of the Samara Metallurgical Plant. After 2 years, the mold casting workshop was completely built, the factory laboratory was organized. In parallel, workers were built housing and social welfare facilities.

"Foundry"

In 1955 the main foundry - the heart of the enterprise - was delivered. It was equipped with the latest units for its time:

• Smelting-foundry with mechanical charge of charge.
• Electrified wells for homogenization of aluminum with air circulation and automatic regulation of melting point.
• Flow lines of machining of the smelted ingots.

The first ingot metallurgy cast on November 4. A month later, the production went on a series work.

Metalworking

In 1956, the rod-profile section was ready for work. It is also equipped with unique machines:

• High-performance stretching systems for straightening panels and extruded aluminum profiles.
• Circular saws.
• Vertical hardening furnaces.
• Heavy-duty horizontal hydraulic presses with a force of 5000 tons.

03/6/1956 at the Samara Metallurgical Plant, the first press was put into operation. By the end of the year, another six similar presses were operating.

Pipe production

In addition to the production of sheet aluminum and ingot-blanks, the task of the newly-formed enterprise was the production of pipe products. The tube rolling shop was launched on 2.02.1958. On 3500-ton presses from alloy AV began to do preparations, on March, 12 the rolling of ready pipes began. In a short time, the range of the workshop has expanded considerably.

The plant's innovations did not go unnoticed. For the introduction of advanced techniques for manufacturing aluminum pipe billets, as well as mastering the production of high-strength drill pipes, the team was awarded with a diploma of the 1st degree of VDNH.

"Rolling"

Since 1954, the Samara Metallurgical Plant (SMZ) has been building, perhaps, the main shop - sheet rolling. For long 4 years, builders erected production buildings, and installers installed and set up complex equipment.

The semi-continuous rolling of billets from one heating was used as a basis - the technology for the USSR is unique. To carry out the rental of aluminum sheet, 2 reversible mills and a unique bicuspid mill, called "Tandem-2800", are used. To produce sheets of variable cross-section, a wedge mill is used. The first ingot was rolled on December 28 - the factory workers met the new 1958 year.

Further development

Thus, the main production facilities of the Samara Metallurgical Plant were built. The main equipment in the modernized form is still used for production. Since 1959, his work is being conducted by a forge-and-press shop. On its 6000-ton presses large forged forgings, panels, profiles, pipes, rods are received. This period includes the creation of adjacent workshops:

• Electrical workshop;
• Repair and construction;
• Repair and installation;
• Railway.

On 5.07.1960 the government commission officially took the SMZ into operation, although the actual operation of the plant began several years earlier.

In subsequent years, production was the main supplier of aluminum billets for the country's aviation plants. With the acquisition of independence of Russia, the enterprise was corporatized. In 2005, SMZ was acquired by transnational corporation Alcoa, which is one of the world leaders in the field of aluminum smelting and manufacturing of products based on it. The plant continues to develop dynamically.

Production

Today the factory is engaged in manufacturing:

• Tape canned, corps, painted.
• Plates, sheets, rolls.
• Aluminum chutes.
• Forging, stamping.
• Pipe.
• Panels, profiles, stripes.
• Hexagons, squares, rods.

The address of the Samara Metallurgical Plant: 443051, Russia, Samara city, Alma-Ata street, 29.