Gerdau awarded Russula a contract to upgrade the 350,000 tpy bar mill, located in Charlotte, NC, USA. The previous mill control system was a hybrid of several different systems, which contained numerous hardware platforms, several computer generations, and involved different programmers with varying programming methods. The mill was controlled by four main systems; powered by three different processors and six unique interface systems on five different platforms. This system became obsolete and the manufacturer advised the plant’s management that they would terminate equipment support.
Russula provided a complete solution for the modernization of the 15-stand in line rolling mill at Gerdau in Charlotte. The modernization consisted of a new rolling mill automation system and the modernization of existing drives for the furnace change, mill entry, mill, cooling bed, cold shear and bundle discharge. The scope of supply included project management, engineering, erection, start-up support and training.
“The Russula rolling mill control system has greatly improved our mill set-up and has provided consistent rolling”
Casimiro Liborio, Mill Superintendent, Gerdau Charlotte
Russula implemented the rolling mill control automation using standard ABB AC800M Modular Controllers. A high speed data acquisition system from IBA, along with networked drives and controller software provided single point monitoring and diagnostics; as well as remote support capabilities to the upgraded systems.
The complete system upgrade for the bar mill was completed in 240 hours, exactly 10 days. After the upgrade the plant experienced yield and availability improvements.
Yield improvements were due to more accurate and consistent operations throughout the rolling mill:
Name | Purpose | Observations |
PHPSESSID | The PHPSESSID cookie is native to PHP and allows websites to store serialized status data. On the website it is used to establish a user session and to pass status data through a temporary cookie, which is commonly known as a session cookie. These Cookies will only remain on your computer until you close the browser. |
Name | Purpose | Observations |
Google analytics (__utma, __utmb, __utmc, __utmz, _ga) | These cookies are used to collect information about the use of our website by visitors. We use the information to compile reports and to improve the site. Cookies collect information anonymously, which includes the number of visitors to the site, the place of origin of the visitors' site and the pages visited. | More information in Types of cookies used by Google . |
Youtube(ACTIVITY, APISID, HSID, LOGIN_INFO, PREF, SID, VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE, YSC, demographics, dkv) | YouTube is used to provide useful videos or informational videos. Youtube stores information to be able to generate statistics on the visits of videos embedded in other pages. | More information in Types of cookies used by Google . |
Google Maps (APISID, HSID, NID, PREF, S, SAPISID, SID, SSID, S_awfe, khcookie) | Show where the offices of our different services are located using Google Maps. | More information in Types of cookies used by Google . |