Open / Close Advertisement

Siemens to Modernize Hoesch Hohenlimburg Medium Strip Mill

06/01/2009 - Siemens VAI Metals Technologies will modernize Hoesch Hohenlimburg's medium-strip rolling mill, including renewal of the mill’s basic and process automation systems and the roughing stand’s servo-hydraulic control equipment.

Hoesch Hohenlimburg GmbH, Germany, has placed an order with Siemens VAI Metals Technologies to modernize the company's medium-strip rolling mill. The scope of the project includes renewal of the medium-strip mill’s basic and process automation systems and renewal of the servo-hydraulic control equipment for the roughing stand. The order is worth several million euros.
 
Hoesch Hohenlimburg GmbH produces medium wide hot strip in a wide range of qualities at widths between 165 and 685 mm, thicknesses from 1.5 to 16 mm and tensile strengths between 170 and 1200 Mpa. Modernized by Siemens in the 1980s, the hot strip mill’s Level 1 and Level 2 systems, which have been developed continually since then, will now be replaced with an integrated, all-inclusive automation solution under a comprehensive modernization program.
 
For this upgrade, Siemens will supply and install modern automation technology based on the Siroll HM platform, specially designed for hot rolling mills; this technology is already in use in the hot strip mill’s cooling section. Siemens’ scope of supply comprises the entire basic and process automation as well as the process models and technological controllers.
 
To minimize the production outages, the modernization work will be conducted in stages that are closely coordinated with the facility’s operating requirements. Refurbishment work will start in the roughing mill’s automation and servo-hydraulic control equipment, which will be put into operation in the winter of 2009. Conversion to the Siroll HM platform is scheduled for the end of 2009/beginning of 2010. Replacement of the finishing mill’s automation system is to begin at the start of 2010 with completion scheduled for the spring of 2012.
 
Initially, switchover devices will be installed during scheduled maintenance shutdowns, after which the new automation system will be optimized to incorporate a monitoring function. Changeover to the new automation equipment will then take place gradually. This procedure will help to significantly reduce downtimes and avoid any initial loss of quality after the changeover.
 
Renewal of the Hoesch Hohenlimburg medium strip mill, part of a multiple-stage modernization program, is scheduled to be completed in spring 2012.
 
Hoesch Hohenlimburg GmbH, a company belonging to ThyssenKruppSteel AG, produces medium wide hot strip in a wide range of qualities at its facility in Hagen-Hohenlimburg. The facility’s product is mainly used as input stock for the cold rolling industry as well as in direct processing, for example in the automotive supply industry.
 
The Siemens Industry Sector (Erlangen, Germany) is a leading international supplier of production, transportation, building and lighting technologies. The Sector consists of six Divisions: Building Technologies, Drive Technologies, Industry Automation, Industry Solutions, Mobility and Osram. With around 222,000 employees worldwide Siemens Industry posted in fiscal year 2008 a profit of EUR3.86 billion with revenues totaling EUR38 billion.
 
With the business activities of Siemens VAI Metal Technologies (Linz, Austria), Siemens Water Technologies (Warrendale, Pa.), and Industrial Technologies (Erlangen, Germany), the Siemens Industry Solutions Division (Erlangen, Germany) is one of the world's leading solution and service providers for industrial and infrastructure facilities. Using its own products, systems and process technologies, Industry Solutions develops and builds plants for end customers, commissions them and provides support during their entire life cycle. With around 31,000 employees worldwide Siemens Industry Solutions achieved an order intake of EUR 8.415 billon in fiscal year 2008.