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Siemens to supply drives technology for Alunorf's aluminum hot rolling mill

By Niraj M Wanikar, Chief Editor, CNCTimes.com, 2014-04-29 16:38:29

Siemens Metals Technologies has won an order from German company Aluminium Norf Gmbh (Alunorf) to supply automation and drives systems to expand and modernise hot rolling mill no. 1 in its Neuss Plant. The aim of the project is to increase production capacity. The conversion work will be performed in several stages, and should be completed by the start of 2016.

In the course of a multi-stage program to expand capacity, an extra rolling stand will be added to the finishing line of the hot rolling mill. Modifications will also be made to the existing gear units. The last stand on the finishing mill and the coiler will be fitted with new AC drives. Both measures will increase rolling speed and therefore production capacity.

Siemens will be supplying a synchronous motor with a non-salient pole rotor for the last rolling stand, which is currently equipped with a DC motor, and an induction motor for the coiler. This will replace three DC motors mounted on one shaft. As well as installing Sinamics SM150 medium voltage converters, Siemens will also handle the entire dismantling and reassembly work, as well as the commissioning of the electrical components. The DC motor from the last rolling stand will be overhauled in a Siemens workshop, re-assembled and then used again in the new rolling stand. Alunorf will supply the automation hardware required for the new rolling stand, while Siemens will make the necessary adaptations to the software.

The modernisation work will be performed during scheduled plant shutdowns to avoid additional production losses. The solution proposed by Siemens will ensure that existing components and systems can be used again to the greatest possible extent. This will also create the technical pre-requisites for their future replacement, which will increase the security of Alunorf's investment.

Founded in 1965, Aluminium Norf GmbH is a joint venture of Novelis Deutschland GmbH and Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbH, and operates the world's largest aluminum smelting plant and rolling mill in Neuss. The company employs over 2,200 people, and sells around 1.5 million tonnes of hot and cold-rolled aluminum strip per annum.

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