OJSC Samara Metallurgical Plant (SMZ) is a leading domestic enterprise in the field of aluminum production and the manufacture of various products and semi-finished products on its basis. Since 2005, it is a structural unit of the international corporation Alcoa.
Base
The construction of the Samara Metallurgical Plant was due to the sharp demand for aluminum products that arose after the end of World War II. The once expensive, underutilized metal during the Second World War proved to be relatively lightweight, corrosion resistant, and at the same time durable material. Technologies have been developed that facilitate its smelting and reduce production costs.
In the late 40s, the government thought about building a large plant for the production of semi-finished aluminum products (sheet metal, ribbons, packages, stampings, finished products). The city of Kuybyshev (now Samara), which has high personnel and technological potential, has been chosen as the site for the new plant.
Largest in Europe
After the necessary geological surveys and the development of a technical project, in 1951 excavation work began on clearing pits for the foundations of future industrial buildings. Since the project was a priority, construction was carried out at a faster pace. According to plans, in terms of productivity, SMZ was to outshine all existing similar enterprises not only in the USSR, but also in Europe.
The first among the workshops was commissioned mechanical repair (1953). Its capacities were used for the manufacture of non-standard structures and equipment for the needs of the Samara Metallurgical Plant. After 2 years, the shaped casting workshop was completely built, and a factory laboratory was organized. In parallel, for workers, housing and social facilities were being built.
"Foundry"
In 1955, the main foundry was commissioned - the heart of the enterprise. It was equipped with the latest units for its time:
- Foundry with mechanical charge loading.
- Electrified wells for the homogenization of aluminum with air circulation and automatic regulation of the melting temperature.
- Lines for machining lost wax.
The first ingot was cast on November 4. A month later, production went into serial production.
Metalworking
In 1956, a bar-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 quenching furnaces.
- Heavy-duty horizontal hydraulic presses with an effort of 5000 tons.
On March 6, 1956, the first press was launched at the Samara Metallurgical Plant. Until the end of the year, 6 more similar presses were launched.
Pipe production
In addition to the manufacture of sheet aluminum and ingot billets, the task of the newly formed enterprise included the production of pipe products. The pipe-rolling workshop was launched on 2.02.1958. On the 3,500-ton AB alloy presses, they began to make billets; on March 12, rolling of finished pipes began. In a short time, the nomenclature of the workshop has expanded significantly.
Innovations of factory workers did not go unnoticed. For the introduction of advanced techniques for the production of aluminum pipe billets, as well as the development of the production of high-strength drill pipes, the team was awarded a diploma of the 1st degree of VDNH.
"Rolling"
Since 1954, the Samara Metallurgical Plant (SMZ) has been building, perhaps, the main workshop - sheet rolling. For 4 years, builders erected production buildings, and installers installed and set up sophisticated equipment.
Semi-continuous rolling of the billet from one heating was taken as a basis - the technology for the USSR is unique. To carry out the rolling of aluminum sheet, 2 reversing mills and a unique two-stand mill, called the “Tandem-2800”, were used. To obtain sheets of variable cross section, a wedge mill is used. The first ingot was rolled on December 28 - this is how factory workers celebrated the new 1958th year.
Further development
Thus, the main production facilities of the Samara Metallurgical Plant were built. The main equipment in a modernized form is still used to produce products. Since 1959, the forge and press shop has been conducting its work . On its 6000-ton presses, large-size forgings, panels, profiles, pipes, rods are obtained. The creation of related workshops belongs to this period:
- electric shop;
- repair and construction;
- repair and installation;
- railway.
On July 5, 1960, a government commission officially accepted 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 by Russia, the enterprise was corporatized. In 2005, SMZ was acquired by the transnational corporation Alcoa, which is one of the world leaders in the field of aluminum smelting and the manufacture of products based on it. The plant continues to develop dynamically.
Products
Today the factory is engaged in the manufacture of:
- Tape of canned, case, painted.
- Plates, sheets, rolls.
- Aluminum ingots.
- Forgings, stampings.
- Pipes
- Panels, profiles, stripes.
- Hexagons, squares, rods.
Address of Samara Metallurgical Plant: 443051, Russia, Samara city, Alma-Atinskaya street, 29.