Strana 21
POSITIV 2017/2018 | 21
What projects have you managed to implement and
what does the automation process look like in an
integrated iron- and steel-making company?
So far, we have implemented several large and many
small projects. Out of the large ones, we have com-
pleted, for example, the automation of the quench-
ing cars at the coke plant, whose operation is now
unmanned, a control system for the sinter plant, and
a digital system for truck transport control. In the com-
pany, automation is generally divided into two parts.
One is in charge of control systems used to control
machines and the manufacturing processes in all
operations. The other part of automation deals with
process management, modelling, and systems that
track and control all production at individual plants.
What are your current plans and what solutions do
you consider vital for the future?
We have a clear vision until 2021. So far we have com-
pleted the automation of quenching as well as guiding
a pushing cars. We have installed new control systems
for the sinter plant, and now we will introduce such
systems at the blast furnace plant. At that plant we are
also about to finalize a new digital twin of the blast
furnace to simulate the processes inside as these are
very difficult to measure. Based on the measurements
of such variables as the composition of the charge,
pressure, and temperature, the system will model the
processes inside the furnace. This will allow us to better
predict what will happen and make the production
process safer and more efficient. The twin for blast
furnace no. 3 has just been put into operation and the
digital twin for blast furnace no. 2 will be introduced
this year.
Another question that comes to the minds of many
people is whether there is a danger of some types
of “human work” disappearing as a result of auto-
mation…
In the case that automation in the company affects
some of the employees, they are offered other jobs or
re-qualification to work elsewhere in the plant. In addi-
tion to that, with further automation, which essentially
frees people from monotonous and dull work, new
opportunities and sectors open up. These may even-
tually employ more people than the original processes
required. Automation will take care of controlling
the process, while employees will be able to engage
in more creative and diverse activities that cannot
be automated. The world of technology will expand
and offer new opportunities that would be inconcei-
vable without automation. Complexity will be boosted
and require more and more people to think, create,
operate and maintain. So I may safely say that
automation of the industry is an investment in the
future of all of us.