BUSINESS
Steel 4.0 Has Been Running in the
Ostrava Steelworks for Over a Year;
the Successful Modernization of
Projects Is Growing Fast.
A thousand engineers work in the
Ostrava steelworks, including experts
in automation and digitization. Together
with the other workers, they are
responsible for modernizing, streamlining
production and improving the working
environment of the Ostrava steelworks.
The concept of Steel 4.0, which includes
production process automation, the
digitization of information about
movement, as well as an overall change
of approach to modern technologies,
runs successfully and already has
a number of successful projects. The
best thing about this process is the fact
that, thanks to the company’s own team
of experts, the whole process can be
managed “in-house”.
One of the successfully completed projects is the
replacement of the old control system of the collection
stations at the wire-rolling mill. The new system is much
more reliable and compatible with the new generation of
control systems. “The aim was to replace the old system
in a way to keep it the same for the operator and keep the
control transparent. The main advantage is a complete
modernization of the old system, while keeping the same
functionality,” said Martin Dvořák, the Project Manager.
Thanks to 3D measurements, customers get customized
products
Some time ago, ArcelorMittal Ostrava employees
introduced a new prototype measuring device at the
medium section rolling mill. This allows automatic
measurement of the desired product profile instead of
manual. The sample is placed manually in the measuring
device, but the profile measurement is then fully
automated. The innovation has brought more accurate,
faster and more efficient profile production. “We
managed to create a conceptual design of the device, to
design both mechanical and electrical design as well as
a mathematical model. All of this has helped us program
our measurements so that we can better deliver our
products to customers and be more productive. Mainly
because there is no manual measuring any more, now
it has to be done only at the beginning and then the
28 ǀ POSITIV 4/2018