The Kametstal plant, part of the Metinvest mining and metallurgical group (Kamenskoye, Dnipropetrovsk region), has completed the first stage of reconstruction of continuous casting machine No. 1 in the converter shop, upgrading key electrical equipment and the automated control system.
According to a press release, CCSS-1 is the plant’s leading machine, performing important tasks in the production of commercial steel billets, including those of enhanced quality. It was here that casting using stop mechanisms was mastered, and a team of specialists is systematically expanding the CCSS product range for customers in the domestic and European markets.
To improve the reliability of key equipment, a phased reconstruction of the LMP No. 1 began this year. The first stage was completed in June, which included an investment project to replace important electrical equipment and automated process control systems.
Hot testing of the continuous casting machine No. 1, taking into account the operation of the new equipment, has already been completed. However, work continues under the supervision of Primetals Technologies, a partner in the investment project, and all requests from the technical staff aimed at improving the software are being implemented in the operating mode. At the same time, the company is training electrical service and automated process control specialists to operate the modern equipment efficiently.
“Our goal is to upgrade the key equipment of the MLF-1 in line with modern standards, but the difficult conditions of wartime do not allow us to implement all our ambitious plans at once. Therefore, with the support of the Metinvest Group, we are reconstructing the first machine step by step, and thanks to the teamwork of all departments and services of the converter shop and specialists from the capital construction and investment department, we have successfully completed the tasks of the first stage,” said Alexander Degtyarenko, lead engineer for the converter shop reconstruction, whose words are quoted in the press release.
He noted that efforts are focused primarily on minimizing downtime associated with malfunctioning outdated electrical equipment.
“Modern software that provides online technological information improves the capabilities of electrical repair personnel by expanding the scope of diagnostics and also partially increases the accuracy of continuous casting, which is one of the main tasks we will perform at each stage of the reconstruction of the MLZ-1,” he said.
Primetals Technologies, headquartered in London, is a global leader in the development of engineering, plant construction, and services for the metallurgical industry.
Kametstal is part of the Metinvest Group.
