The Siemens Industrial Solutions and Services Group (I&S) has received an order from Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann GmbH (HKM), Germany, to modernize its continuous slab caster No. 2. Valued at around five million euros, the project includes all process-control, automation and drive equipment.

In 2004, HKM produced 5.5 million tonnes of raw steel in its Duisburg-Huckingen plant. This was around 12% of Germany’s total steel production. The facility utilizes two continuous bloom casters to produce prefabricated materials for making seamless pipes, forged products and long products. Three continuous slab casters supply the input material for hot and cold strip, heavy plate and welded pipes. Modernization of Continuous Slab Caster No. 2 became necessary because the supply of spare parts for the old systems being used could no longer be guaranteed.

For modernization of the continuous slab caster, Siemens will supply all the electrical equipment. This includes basic automation and technological control systems such as mold level control and the breakout prediction system. Simatic PCS 7 will be used as the process control system, in which the shared finishing shop will be integrated. In addition, Siemens will upgrade the software of Continuous Slab Caster No. 1, which was previously modernized in 2001. The twin-strand Continuous Slab Caster No. 1 and Continuous Slab Caster No. 2 as well as parts of the shared slab adjustment area will, in future, be controlled from a central common operator room. Siemens’ scope of supply also includes a computer link-up to the plant's "Stahlwerk" stock management system.

In addition, the order encompasses all the drives and a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) system. Siemens is also responsible for project management, engineering and manufacturing, and will install all the new systems and carry out the commissioning. Removal of the old equipment and provision of customer training are also included in the scope of supply. All the components and systems used are part of "Siroll CA", the Siemens integrated solution for continuous casters.

This order follows several previous projects that Siemens has carried out for HKM, including modernization of twin Continuous Slab Caster No. 1 and relining of Blast Furnace B. Commissioning for the current project is scheduled for August 2006.

The Siemens Industrial Solutions and Services Group (I&S) is the integrator of systems and solutions for industrial and infrastructure facilities and global service provider for the plant and projects business covering planning, installation, operation and the entire life cycle. I&S uses the electrical and technical products of other Siemens Groups in order to enhance productivity and improve competitiveness of companies in the sectors of metallurgy, water treatment, pulp and paper, oil and gas, marine engineering, open-cast mining, intelligent traffic systems and industrial services. In fiscal 2004 (to September 30) I&S employed a total of 30,000 people worldwide and achieved total sales of EUR 4.290 billion.