Feb 27 2008
Siemens Metals Technologies has received an order from ThyssenKrupp Steel to modernize the continuous caster in the oxygen steelworks at the company's Duisburg-Bruckhausen facility. In the course of the project, the caster will be fitted out with new basic and process automation systems, a new control system and new process computers. The integrated automation solution will replace the Simatic S5-based equipment also supplied by Siemens in 1996. The order has a volume of several million euros and modernization of the continuous caster is scheduled for completion in May 2009.
In the Duisburg-Bruckhausen steelworks of ThyssenKrupp, two converters with a heat weight of 380 metric tons are the basic items of equipment used for steel production. The two-strand caster of the oxygen steelworks has an annual production capacity of around three million metric tons and is therefore among the largest of its kind in the world. After leaving the caster, the slabs with a width of up to 2.6 meters are immediately processed. The close interrelationship of the continuous caster, on the one hand, and the upstream and downstream process steps, on the other, places high demands on the automation and control systems, especially in terms of availability, clarity and ease of operator control.
The Simatic PCS7 control system is the heart of the Siemens automation solution. The equipment-specific user functions will also be integrated here. In addition, the user system will be supplemented with diverse new functions, including DynaWidth for rapid online change of the slab width and DynaFlex for hydraulic mold oscillation. Moreover, the fuzzy-logic mold level control function, which has been used here since 1996, will be implemented on Simatic PCS7. Due to the use of standardized hardware and software components for the basic and process automation, an integrated, fault-tolerant and user-friendly solution can be created which provides optimum support to the personnel in all operating modes. All the functions of the basic and process automation which are important for production will be implemented redundantly. This will ensure a very high level of availability.
The redundant structure of the automation solution allows retooling without interruptions in the production process. All the modernization steps can be carried out within planned production down times.