Primetals Technologies Austria (Linz Austria):

A. Jungbauer, Mag. Eng., General Sales Manager, Endless Strip Production, E-mail: andreas.jungbauer@primetals.com
R. Winkler, Mag. Eng., Technical Equipment Superviser
A. Viehböck, Eng., Vice President, Endless Strip Production

At Rizhao Steel’s mill, Arvedi ESP technology proves its versatility both in operation and space. ESP line No. 4, the installation of which was originally planned in the existing workshop with ladles of smaller capacity, was built into the workshop with ESP lines No. 1-3 in a limited space. The greater flexibility of this ESP line is also evidenced by the possibility of changing work rolls on a running mill without stopping production. A suitable defi nition of flexibility for this case not only describes the ability to vary, but also refers to cost-effectiveness. At Rizhao Steel, Arvedi ESP technology has proven its flexibility by not only implementing the project in a limited space, but also meeting deadlines. When comparing the technologies, it should be taken into account that, on the one hand, in the case of a strip hot rolling mill, a large slab warehouse requires high investment, and on the other hand, the periodic mode of the thin slab continuous caster combined with the rolling mill does not allow the free choice of semi-finished rolled stock, since the supply chain is determined by the technological process scheme. Compared to other technologies, ESP technology provides signifi cant scope with respect to the range of grades, changes in width and thickness. In addition, changes in width during the ESP process are not a prerequisite for cost-effectiveness, and the decision to produce a narrow strip with lower productivity is made arbitrarily. New developments, such as the continuous change of work rolls, mark the next step for Arvedi ESP technology in the direction of greater flexibility in the metallurgical industry.

1. Quelle: http://www.business-dictionary.com/definition/flexibility.html
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