.gif?width=220&height=220&mediaprotectionhash=27a2c7b682a980edd98804d5ef3ab0afa2e746bbcbde7192e62ce4a3fe797500&ext=.gif)
Siemens to Modernize Böhler Edelstahl Rolling Mills
01/05/2011 - Siemens Industry Solutions Division will install new drive and automation equipment on the continuous rolling mill in Böhler Edelstahl’s multiline rolling mill and the plate rolling stand of their blooming mill.
Böhler Edelstahl GmbH & Co KG, Kapfenberg, Austria, has placed an order with the Siemens Industry Solutions Division to install new drive and automation equipment on the continuous rolling mill in the multiline rolling mill and the plate rolling stand of the blooming mill.
Böhler Edelstahl's multiline rolling mill in Kapfenberg was one of the world's most modern plants when it was originally started up in 1988. Böhler Edelstahl’s goals for the modernization project are to reduce the mill’s energy and media consumption, widen its range of products, and further improve product quality.
As part of the upgrade, Siemens will install a digital control system with Simatic S7-400 programmable logic controllers to bring the automation in the plant up to the state of the art. The system will incorporate a “RollMaster” specially developed for long product rolling mills to handle the generation and management of the pass schedules. This software is the link between the production planning system and the plant automation.
Siemens will replace the mill’s existing hydraulic drive trains with controlled, water-cooled three-phase asynchronous motors, including gearboxes, couplings and cardan shafts. Drives will be fed by frequency converters from the Sinamics product family, configured as multi-motor drives to facilitate precise, highly dynamic control of the rolling stands and enable Böhler Edelstahl to extend its range of products and further improve quality.
Elimination of the hydraulic systems will help to reduce maintenance costs, increase plant availability, and, ultimately, which, in turn, increase the rolling lines’ productivity. According to Siemens, the upgrade will cause annual energy requirements to fall by many thousands of megawatt hours, with the consumption of hydraulic oil and cooling water also falling substantially.
Siemens will also renew the continuous rolling mill’s auxiliary drives, as well as the uninterruptible power supply (UPS). The modernization project’s scope also includes equipping the blooming mill’s plate rolling stand with a new 3.3-megawatt main drive.
All products and systems used for the upgrade will be drawn from the Siroll LR solution platform for long-product rolling mills. Siemens will also be responsible for installation of all the electrical systems and commissioning of the rolling lines. The upgrade is reported to be worth several million euros, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011.
Böhler Edelstahl GmbH & Co KG is a leading international producer of high-speed steel, tool steel and special materials. The multiline rolling mill produces bar, round and flat steels, as well as wire. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Böhler Uddeholm AG, Vienna, and has thus been a part of voestalpine AG since 2008.
The Siemens Industry Sector (Erlangen, Germany) is a leading international supplier of environmentally friendly production, transportation, building and lighting technologies. The Sector comprises six divisions: Building Technologies, Drive Technologies, Industry Automation, Industry Solutions, Mobility and Osram. With around 204,000 employees worldwide (September 30), Siemens Industry achieved in fiscal year 2010 total sales of approximately €34.9 billion.
The Siemens Industry Solutions Division (Erlangen, Germany) is one of the world's leading solution and service providers for industrial and infrastructure facilities comprising the business activities of Siemens VAI Metals Technologies, Water Technologies and Industrial Technologies. Activities include engineering and installation, operation and service for the entire life cycle. With around 29,000 employees worldwide (September 30), Siemens Industry Solutions posted sales of €6.0 billion in fiscal year 2010.
