9th ECCC European Continuous Casting Conference – ECCC 2017

In modern manufacturing, which aims at maximum productivity and quality assurance, it is essential to make use of high-grade materials, a well thought-out design, the latest coating techniques and intelligent sensor technology. System solutions that utilize new sensor technologies with “Industry 4.0” in mind open up a wide range of possibilities also in the field of continuous casting. Intelligent mold plate management, for example, allows downtimes to be reduced, service lives to be increased and new, individually detailed logistics concepts to be established. Process integration and digitalization of the mold enable new business models to be introduced, which are likewise digitalized. In future, maintenance will no longer require large-scale and expensive storage facilities. Instead, stock-keeping will become faster and more transparent. Spare parts will be delivered in near-real time after the manufacturer has been informed online about the current degree of wear, likewise in near-real time. The operating hours and the wear on the individual plates are monitored in a continuous and fully automated manner and logged for subsequent evaluation. The system does not require any external power supply or other cabling. The data are exchanged, logged and evaluated by means of Android-based devices. The user also has the possibility of commenting on the individual servicing steps and of storing them electronically in the system. Via this digital combination of automated data generation and human-machine interface, a comprehensive process overview is obtained for various business areas such as purchasing, production, maintenance and controlling. This results in advantages and synergies for improved planning and logistics, greater flexibility and quality in production and an immediate overall view of the condition of the mold plate as a core component and of the conditioning work being performed on it. Moreover, improved cooperation with the supplier industry is achieved thanks to the near-real time communication. [1]: http://C:%5CUsers%5Cmuellsve.SMS-GROUP%5CPictures%5CU&M.jpg