Since 2009 German energy and automation system producer ABB and ThyssenKrupp Acciai Speciali, the Terni, Italy-based special steel producer, have worked side by side to develop their new MIPSO (Metals Integrated Planning Scheduling Optimization) production scheduling system. Since 2009 to date the scheduling system has been used by operators to plan daily production at ThyssenKrupp Acciai Speciali’s meltshop and hot rolling mill, optimizing production both in timing and quality terms.
The results deriving from the trial implementation of the ABB scheduling system in the meltshop show that it can generate automated melting and casting sequences which meet production rules and needs, realizing longer sequences that allow reduction of overall production time. On the hot rolling mill side, it allows rolling of a large number of coils, with more homogeneous width and thickness standards. This enhances product quality.
ThyssenKrupp Acciai Speciali Group, owner of the steel mill in Terni and of several activities both in Italy and abroad, produces and markets special steels (e.g., stainless, low alloy steels), widely used in several industrial sectors such as food and beverage, white goods, construction, home furniture, energy, transportation and mechanical engineering.