initial slab sizes were 8" x 36", afterwards they began to cast bigger slabs by about 10" increments up to 10" x 52". there was a noted improvement in quality, as with the ability to cast using larger molds. the pilot plant was limited to about 50 "heats" (ladles of molten steel), from the original op shop. over the course of operation, the pilot plant cast a little over 300,000 tons of steel.