April 2007 — Sandvik Materials Technology, Sweden, recently placed an order with AIC, Italy, to revamp their blooming mill drive system.

As part of the upgrade, AIC will equip the drive system with a new cast-resin transformer with double secondary winding, and medium-voltage thyristor bridges with separate 12-pulses regulation system and motor exciter. AIC will also supply a new inter-phase reactor with rapid breaker and disconnecting switch at the + and – minus poles of the DC motor, respectively, as well as PLC and HMI control systems.

This new equipment will drive Sandvik’s existing 4300-kW 1150-V DC Motor.

AIC’s turnkey scope includes design, manufacture, project management, erection of equipment, cabling, commissioning, and assistance to production. All tasks are scheduled for completion by August 2007.

This upgrade for Sandvik Materials Technology follows AIC’s earlier revamp of Sandvik’s Pilger Mill drive system at the Sandviken facility.

AIC is divided in two business units, both located in the area around the Italian city of Brescia: Odolo, which is dedicated to design, engineering, and project management; and Torbole Casaglia, which is focused on engineering, manufacturing, testing, and assistance. With a staff of 35 employees, AIC’s total revenues have increased by 190% in the past 5 years.