Oct 27 2008
Siemens Metals Technologies has received an order from the Hyundai Steel Co, Seoul, Korea to equip parts of its compact hot strip mill in Dangjin with new automation.
By initiating this modernization measure, Hyundai Steel wants to enhance product quality, extend the range of products and increase the plant’s availability. The first coil is scheduled to be rolled in September 2010. This is already the customer’s fourth order to Siemens since recommissioning of the plant in 2005.
Hyundai Steel Company operates three production sites in Korea. The company currently produces a total of approximately fourteen million metric tons of steels per year comprising carbon steel products, including reinforcing bars, angles, channels, wide-flange beams, H-beams, I-beams, rails, including light rails and elevator guide rails; casting and ingots, and cold- and hot-rolled steels. The Compact Hot Strip Mill in Dangjin has a capacity of 2 million metric tons per year and produces various types of carbon and API steel. In 2006, Siemens has upgraded automation equipment Symadyn D to TDC and auxiliary drives Simovert P to MD in the coiler area. Three casters ordered from Siemens VAI in 2007 are currently under construction.
In the context of the current project, Siemens will supply and install the basic (incl. Technological Control System) and process automation (incl.PCFC) for the six-stand finishing mill and the cooling section of the compact hot strip mill. The automation equipment to be used is part of the “Siroll HM” solution developed specifically for compact hot strip mills. Simatic TDC and the WinCC visualization will be used as the basis of the system for basic automation.
HP computers will be provided for process automation. Online process models generate the presettings for the finishing mill and the cooling section and also supply the parameters for the control and adjustment algorithms during ongoing production. The new automation system will mean that the plant will be able to precisely roll and cool modern steel grades. In addition, Siemens is supplying model predicative controllers for the finishing mill and the cooling section. Through the modernization Hyundai Steel will be enabled to improve the product quality and extent the production range.
The new automation equipment for Hyundai Steel is a uniform, integrated system with a high degree of standardization. Integrated diagnostic functions ensure a high level of transparency, simple operator control and fast reactions of the operating personnel in the event of any faults. The Siemens solution also features open communication protocols, thus facilitating future expansion of the equipment.
Siemens Metals Technologies is also responsible for project management and engineering of the systems and components as well as of installation supervision and full commissioning.
The main reasons why the contract was awarded to Siemens were the latter’s very successful recommissioning of the plant in 2005 to the full satisfaction of the customer after a shutdown lasting six years and the good experiences of Hyundai Steel in preceding projects with minimum shutdown time with Siemens.