Celsa Atlantic values using Mill Pulse® in its production

Interview with Celsa Atlantic's Rolling Mill Manager, Juan Carlos Campos and Process Engineer, José Ramón Cabezas.

When did Celsa Atlantic Laracha plant implement the Russula Mill Pulse® MES solution? Why did the plant select Mill Pulse®?

We implemented Mill Pulse® in 2018 to centralize all the automation level 1 information in the plant into a single platform. There was this gap between the level 1 automation in the plant and the Enterprise Resource Planning System. Mill Pulse® optimizes this part.

We had data acquisition systems but from different sources, PLC's, SQL, IBA, excel® spreadsheets, SAP®. Prior work was required to gather all the data together and correlate it. Once we implemented Mill Pulse®, all data was in one unique system, accessible to all production staff. So, a lot of the tasks that were once manual became automatic, like Mill Pulse® sends all the data automatically to SAP®.

Which Mill Pulse® modules did you implement? 

We implemented the Production Management, Roll Shop, Mill Setup and Delay Tracking modules.

How was the Mill Setup done before Mill Pulse® compared to after?

Mill setup allows you to prepare for changes by assigning tasks and crosschecking information with the Roll Shop. Having all the information in one place optimizes processes.

Have you noticed any other improvements in the mill since Mill Pulse® was implemented in 2018? If so, what are they?

More data is recorded now. For example, the coil handling area - bundle data is recorded with details. Now we know which heat each billet belongs to, so the product tracking is much more robust.

Now, Mill Pulse® sends us emails, to bring us up to speed with the day-to-day production activities on and off-site, even before arriving to the office.

What is your overall opinion of Mill Pulse®?

Mill Pulse® is very intuitive and user-friendly. The backend is really powerful. It’s easy to find all the information and we save a lot of time.