AMAG rolling GmbH is upgrading and modernizing a two-high hot rolling mill and a four-high cold rolling mill at its plant in Ranshofen, Austria. The parts and work for both orders will be supplied by Primetals Technologies. The aim of the work is to improve the reliability and safety of the equipment.
AMAG rolling GmbH, part of AMAG Group, is a globally active producer of high-quality, rolled aluminum products. It is one of the leading, premium suppliers of high quality cast and rolled aluminum products used in a wide range of industries, such as the aviation, automotive, mechanical engineering, construction, packaging, electrical and consumer goods industries.
Hot Rolling Mill
The upgrade of the two-stand hot rolling mill will include the installation of a new converter equipment for the main drive, which is expected to increase the reliability of the rolling stand and ensure the future availability of spare parts.
Primetals will supply, engineer, install, and commission the upgraded line, as well as provide training and documentation. The modernization project involves the replacement of the power semiconductors for the stator and excitation systems, as well as the installation of new control units for operating the synchronous motor of the main drive. This solution will enable specific components to be replaced, while minimizing the risk involved in the refurbishment.
The drive components will be subjected to a system test and the interfaces will be tested in the plant’s switchgear room during the refurbishment-related standstill in December 2020. The project is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2021.
Cold Rolling Mill
Modernization of the four-high cold rolling mill is aimed at simplifying maintenance of the rolling stand by using standardized solutions and to implement new safety equipment according to machine safety ordinances. The stand is comprised of a coil preparation system, spool handling, uncoiler, rolling stand, coiler, banding, marking, conveyor system, strip inspection and coil handling.
The rolling mill stand will be outfitted with new technological controls. This includes the upgrade of the gauge and flatness control, replacement of the technological measuring instruments, implementation of Level 2 process automation, renewal of the electrical and automation equipment (including the sensor systems and cabling), as well as replacement of the coil banding system, marking machine, and video and intercom system. The spool handling crane and strip centering control will also be modernized. One of the important components of this order is the safety equipment, which will be constructed according to the state of the art.
A standard, modular automation system will be installed with separate processors for the process and safety functions. These will ensure easy management of the systems and user software. The peripheral signals will be linked to the central units through a common process field network. These signals will be coupled and decoupled by decentralized I/O modules, which will be installed in control cabinets distributed throughout the plant.
Primetals Technologies will also conduct a risk analysis, hardware and software engineering, as well as production, documentation, integration test, installation, training of personnel, and commissioning. The main components will be replaced and commissioned during a single main shutdown of minimal length in the summer of 2021.
The project is scheduled to be completed in January 2022.