The slitting of a low carbon-based steel coil is a precise machining process that involves cutting large steel coils into narrower coilsat specific widths. These slit coils are used in various applications across multiple industries, from automotive manufacturing to construction and many other metal fabrication processes.
Zeeco Metals specializes in providing our customers with steel coils that have beenprecisely slit for a multitude of other processes such as stamping, roll forming, and other OEM processes. Our team is committed to providing tailor-made solutions that meet the unique requirements of various applications. Moreover, we offer a wide range of steel grades tailored to your needs. From commercial steel to extra deep drawing and high-strength low alloys, our selection ensures that we have the right type of steel to meet your application’s demands.
Understanding the Slitting Process
Our expertise and dedication to quality ensure that we deliver exceptional slit steel coils that meet and exceed customer expectations. Here’s a detailed guide to understanding the slitting process, highlighting how we ensure accuracy and efficiency at each stage:
Step 1: RFQ (Request for Quotation) Audit
Upon receiving your RFQ, our dedicated sales team thoroughly reviews it to understand your requirements. We pay close attention to product type, grade, coating weight (if applicable), gauge tolerance, width, and pounds of steel needed.
Step 2: Steel Sourcing
Based on your specifications, we locate a coil that matches the desired specification in our inventory, or we source the steel on the market for our customers. We have strong relationships with a multitude of vendors ranging from mill sources too secondary/excess providers, allowing us to select the most appropriate material that meets your expectations.
Step 3: Pricing
Once we have sourced the steel, our dedicated team calculates the pricing for the service. We consider various factors such as material costs, processing costs, market conditions, freight, and customer budget. As a result, we provide you with pricing that aligns with your financial goals.
Step 4: Coil Inspection
Before the slitting process begins, we carefully inspect the coil. This ensures that the coil meets the customer’s size, quality, and condition specifications. Any deviations or issues are addressed promptly to maintain high standards.
Step 5: Slitter Head Setup
In this crucial step, our experienced technicians set up the slitter head to handle the various slit sizes required for the order. They also maintain the appropriate clearances based on the specific gauge being run. This setup guarantees precise and consistent slitting throughout the process.
Step 6: Recoiling Arbor Preparation
The recoiling arbor, a key component of the slitting process, is prepared to handle the various slit sizes required for the order. Our skilled operators at Zeeco Metals configure the arbor to ensure efficient and accurate recoiling of the slit steel into individual coils.
Step 7: Coil Loading and Over Arm Placement
To initiate the slitting process, the coil is loaded onto the un-coiler machine using an overhead crane. The overarm is carefully positioned to come down on the coil, securely preventing it from unwinding during the slitting operation. This step guarantees the stability and safety of the coil throughout the process.
Step 8: Slitting Process
With the coil in place, the slitting process commences. The bands securing the coil are carefully broken and the steel is fed through the slitter head knives. The precision of the slitting knives guarantees clean and accurate cuts, resulting in uniformly sized steel coils.
Step 9: Scrap Management
During the slitting process, there is often trim or scrap material generated. Thus, we implement an efficient scrap management system that ties the trim/scrap to the scrap winder. This practice maintains a clean and organized work area, maximizes material utilization, and minimizes waste.
Step 10: Feeding Slit Steel to Recoiler
Once the steel is slit to the desired sizes, they are fed from the slitter head to the recoiler machine. This machine carefully receives the slit strips and recoils them into individual coils. The precision and consistency of this process ensure that each coil is of the highest quality.
Step 11: Quality Control
At Zeeco Metals, we prioritize quality and consistency in our manufactured components. Therefore, the gauge of the slit coils is checked at the head, middle, and tail end of each coil across the width to guarantee that the gauge remains within the specified tolerances.
Step 12: Width Inspection
In addition to gauge control, our team also emphasizes maintaining precise width measurements for the slit steel coils. Our skilled operators meticulously check the width at each coil’s head, middle, and tail end, ensuring uniformity and accuracy.
Step 13: Additional Band Attachment and Coil Push-Off
After passing the quality control checks, additional bands are added to secure the slit steel coils. This step ascertains the integrity and stability of the coils during handling and transportation. Once the bands are in place, the coils are carefully pushed off the recoiler onto the production line.
Step 14: Packaging Customization
Packaging is crucial in protecting slit steel coils during transportation and storage. That is why Zeeco Metals’ packaging line is designed to accommodate various requirements. We tailor the process to your specific requests, ensuring that the coils are packaged securely and based on your specifications. If you require specialty skids, shrink wrap, or paper wrap Zeeco Metals’ can accommodate most requests.
Step 15: Shipping and Delivery
Once the packaging is complete, the slit steel coils are ready to be shipped. We work with reputable logistics partners specializing in handling steel products, ensuring safe and timely delivery. Furthermore, our dedicated logistics team coordinates the shipping process to ensure that the slit steel coils are promptly dispatched to the customer’s location.
Different Types of Steel Products at Zeeco Metals
At Zeeco Metals, we can slit various types of steel coils to meet your specific needs:
Hot Rolled Pickled and Oiled Steel
Hot rolled pickled and oiled steel coils is one of the most common types we cater to at Zeeco Metals. Our vendors create tis type of steel at high temperatures, creating a durable and versatile material suitable for various applications.
Cold Rolled Steel
Unlike hot rolled steel, cold rolled steel is created at room temperature, providing a smoother and more precise finish. As a result, it is often used in applications where a superior surface finish and tighter tolerances are required.
Galvanized Steel
Galvanized steel is coated with a layer of zinc to protect it from corrosion. It is highly durable and widely used in outdoor structures, roofing, and automotive components.
High-Strength Low-Alloy (HSLA) Steel
HSLA steel combines high strength with improved formability, making it ideal for structural applications. It offers a superior strength-to-weight ratio and is often used in bridges, buildings, and machinery.
Aluminized Steel
This is a type of steel that has been coated with aluminum-silicon alloy, providing excellent heat resistance and corrosion resistance. It is commonly used in automotive exhaust systems, heat exchangers, and other high-temperature applications.
Zeeco Metals: Your Trusted Steel Coil Slitting Partner
Experience precision steel slitting at its finest with Zeeco Metals! Our team of skilled technicians specializes in the slitting of multiple types, grades, and gauges of steel coils. From narrow slit coils as small as 0.5” to larger dimensions, our equipment ascertains accurate customization to meet your specifications.
With streamlined production processes, optimized workflow, and a responsive team, we meet your deadlines without compromising quality. Contact us today to discuss your project requirements and witness the precision, efficiency, and customer satisfaction we bring to every project!
