May 25, 2021
GE Power Conversion was selected by thyssenkrupp Steel to modernize the drive and automation system of the down coiler 3 and side guides in the Bochum hot rolling mill - with a project volume of over 1.5 million euros. The plant is one of thyssenkrupp Steel's most efficient hot rolling mills in terms of rolling force and drive power.
The upgrades will secure the productivity of the hot rolling mill as well as the future spare parts and service availability. GE Power Conversion has extensive experience in modernizing and revamping drives for steel mills and was awarded the contract thanks to its good handling of drive and automation projects in recent years and the successful connection to internal, formerly AEG, Converteam legacy systems.
The project will be realized in three steps. The first step will start in July 2021, when the drive converters of the down coiler 3 will be replaced by modern types with higher safety standards. Subsequently, in October 2021, the control system of the side guides for the entire down coiling section will be replaced. Finally, in February 2022 the modernization of the down coiler 3 set up and control system will be completed.
The special feature of hot rolling mills is that the down coiling section detects the incoming material every two minutes at a very high speed of up to 12 m/s. If this fails, hot scrap is produced that must be removed with several hours of downtime. This failure damages up to four other semi-finished products that are in the production process. It also means that production is delayed. The modernization by GE Power Conversion will help to significantly reduce this problem, as the new system operates at a much higher productivity level due to 24/7 availability, allowing faults to be rectified quickly.
"thyssenkrupp Steel is a visionary player and produces high-quality steel as an innovation driver and essential material for numerous industries - including those that are relevant for a successful climate change. We are proud to be able to support the modernization of their plants." Jörg Nuttelmann, General Manager Germany, GE Power Conversion.
GE Power Conversion and thyssenkrupp Steel already have a long-standing partnership, which started with the beginnings of thyssenkrupp's steel production in the late 1960s. Thanks to this long business relationship, GE Power Conversion has already been able to successfully implement various projects at the Bochum site.
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About thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG
thyssenkrupp Steel Europe is one of the world's leading suppliers of carbon steel flat products. With around 27,000 employees, the company supplies high-quality steel products for innovative and demanding applications in a wide range of sectors. Customized material solutions and steel-related services round off the company's range of products and services. With an annual production volume of around 11 million tons of crude steel, thyssenkrupp Steel is Germany's biggest flat steel producer. https://www.thyssenkrupp-steel.com
About GE Power Conversion
GE Power Conversion applies the science and systems of power conversion to help drive the electric transformation of the world’s energy infrastructure. Designing and delivering advanced motor, drive and control technologies that evolve today’s industrial processes for a cleaner, more productive future, it serves specialized sectors such as energy, marine, industry and all related services. https://www.gepowerconversion.com/
About GE
GE (NYSE:GE) drives the world forward by tackling its biggest challenges. By combining world-class engineering with software and analytics, GE helps the world work more efficiently, reliably, and safely. For more than 125 years, GE has invented the future of industry, and today it leads new paradigms in additive manufacturing, materials science, and data analytics. GE people are global, diverse and dedicated, operating with the highest integrity and passion to fulfill GE’s mission and deliver for our customers. www.gevernova.com
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