Primetals Technologies (Linz, Austria):

M. Ringhofer, Dr., Sales manager, Industry 4.0 dept., e-mail: markus.ringhofer@primetals.com
G. Wimmer, Dr., Vice president on basic oxygen converter production
J. F. Plaul, Dr., Head of technological and know-how dept.
E. Tatschl-Unterberger, Mag. Eng., Vice president on service dept.
K. Herzog, Mag. Eng., Head of Industry 4.0 dept.

The authors of the paper examine optimization of technological processes on the example of a metallurgical shop based on three criteria. These criteria include (1) quality — providing its high level and meeting all stability and reproducibility requirements; (2) flexibility in choosing of initial materials and variable regulation of customer’s orders; (3) productivity as throughout capacity and yield of metal, having effect on operation and technical maintenance expenses. It is concluded that the future stages of metallurgy development will be mainly determined by step-by-step transition to digital technologies. The comprehensive and complex automation concepts will provide the further opening of potential and achievement of the new level of combination of technological processes and facilities owing to more intensive vertical and horizontal integration. It is evident that each enterprise will move forward to the formulated aims along its special way, though these aims are in general similar and clear. E.g. at the first stage, so-called “road map” can be developed and specified for the corresponding works, with emphasize on their priorities in quality, flexibility and productivity.

1. Kagermann, К.; Wahlster, W.; Helbig, J.: Umsetzungsempfehlungen für das Zukunftsprojekt Industrie 4.0, Abschlussbericht des Arbeitskreises Industrie 4.0, 2013.
2. Winter, G.: stahl u. eisen 136 (2016) Nr. 3, S. 73/79.
3. Egger, M. W.; Priesner, A.; Lehner, J.; Nogratnig, H.; Lechner, H.; Wimmer, G.: Successful revamping of sublance manipulators for the LD converters at voestalpine Stahl GmbH — experiences in operation after the first year; Proc. AIS-Tech 2015, Pittsburgh, USA, 16. – 19. Mai 2016.
4. Shalaby, A.; Haschke, A.; Voglmayr, В.; Ringhofer, M.: Increased plant availability and reduced maintenance costs by a smart and integrative condition monitoring system, Proc. AISTech 2017, Nashville, USA, 8. – 11. Mai 2017.
5. Herzog, К.; Winter, G.; Kurka, G.; Ankermann, К.; Binder, R.; Ringhofer, M.: The digital transformation of steel production, Proc. AISTech 2017, Nashville, USA, 8. – 11. Mai 2017.
6. Kurka, G.; Hohenbichler, G.: TPQC — Through-Process Quality Control, 9th Int. Steel Congress, Peking, China, 15. – 18. Mai 2016.