Smart Performance Program: Rolling stand running at full load once again

Smart Performance Program:

Rolling stand running at full load once again

ArcelorMittal eliminates strong vibrations thanks to competent support

Herzogenrath, October 26, 2009. With the aid of modal analysis, stability problems in the rolling stand at the ArcelorMittal steelworks in Spain were identified quickly and reliably. As a result, the efficiency and quality of production was increased so much that Arcelor Mittal was able to increase production capacity by 40 percent. This corresponds to an annual increase in income of more than 500,000 Euro.

The ArcelorMittal steelworks in Zumarraga was not able to run the new rolling stand of an installation at full load due to strong vibrations. For the manufacture of some products, it was even necessary to reduce the strip speed to 60 percent. This led to severe restrictions on production output and thus considerable lost income. In order to return to full load production as quickly as possible, rapid and competent help was required.

Experienced Field Service Engineers (FSE) from Schaeffler Iberia carried out professional vibration and modal analysis on the rolling stand for damage diagnosis. After detailed examination, they detected deficiencies in the stability of the machine structure. In an advisory discussion, ArcelorMittal was given detailed information on how critical speeds can be avoided during operating of the stand and how dynamic forces acting on the stand can be reduced.

With the aid of these recommendations, the steelmaker was able to increase the speed of rolling production from 60 percent back up to the initial level of 95 percent. As a result of this action and the prevention of chatter marks, which have led in the past to impaired quality, the annual production has increased by 40 percent. This corresponds to an increase in income of more than 500,000 Euro. In addition, maintenance costs have been avoided that amount to approximately 67,000 Euro per failure.  

The rapid and professional support provided by the FSE as well as the impressive result convinced ArcelorMittal Zumarraga of the advantages of vibration diagnosis. In order to ensure that information on the condition of the installation was continuously available, the operators in Zumarraga decided shortly after completion of the project to purchase an online monitoring system. Through the early detection of machine damage, this makes it possible to prevent unforeseen downtime and ensures high plant availability.

The supply of rolling bearings and appropriate services completed the support of Schaeffler Iberia.

ArcelorMittal is the largest steel producer in the world with over 326,000 employees in more than 60 countries. The steelworks in Zumarraga employs about 450 people. The annual production is approximately 750,000 tons of steel. Such a production volume demands high levels of machinery utilization - an objective that can only be achieved through a well thought-out and forward-looking maintenance system.

FAG Industrial Services GmbH (F'IS)

Headquartered in Herzogenrath near Aachen, FAG Industrial Services GmbH (F'IS) offers its services, service products and maintenance training on a manufacturer-independent basis, helping customers to save on maintenance costs, optimize machine availability and avoid unexpected machine downtime. F'IS takes responsibility for Schaeffler Group Industrial's worldwide service business regarding the INA and FAG brands. In 2008, the Schaeffler Group employed a workforce of about 66,000 at 180 locations worldwide and generated sales of EUR 8.9 billion with its brands INA, LuK and FAG.

Contact

FAG Industrial Services GmbH

Sabine Drescher

Marketing & Communication

Tel. +49 (0)2407 9149-78

Fax +49 (0)2407 9149-59

E-mail: drescher_s@fis-services.de

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