According to PSI and Primetals Technologies, the new system will serve the integrated plant’s steel shop. 

Primetals Technologies said the project arises from Industry 4.0 collaborations between the two companies over the past two years.

It also follows the installation of new level 1 and level 2 systems for the facility’s 6-strand billet caster and a level 2 system for two blast furnaces there. 

“The new PSI Metals-based MES solution is offering the operators a holistic view of the running production from the meltshop to their plate and hot strip mill to improve the quality of the production processes,” Primetals Technologies said. 

PSI Metals said the system will deeply integrate with the existing level 1 and level 2 systems from Primetals Technologies. With a harmonized manufacturing execution system, Gerdau will reduce integration costs, shorten project times and simplify IT processes, PSI Metals said. 

“In addition, Gerdau will profit from seamless material genealogy of the finished product to the original heat and an improved quality deviation management. Further benefits are the standardization of key performance indicators and control measures and the creation of a digital twin for simulations and analysis as well as the facilitation of schedule execution and an increased reliability of the production management system.”