WCA March 2017

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28 Wire & Cable ASIA – March/April 2017
Industrynews
THERE is continuing growing trend
toward modified custom special steels.
To meet future customer demands for
wire rod products and greater coil
weights, Swiss Steel has invested €8.5m
at its Emmenbrücke site.
The entire coil handling division is now
state of the art and provides maximum
flexibility during further processing of the
steel as well as during binding and
packaging of the drawn wire. These are
important prerequisites for the
development of steel products for
specific customers. Modernisation is
one way that Swiss Steel AG is further
strengthening its position as a
technology leader.
Customer orientation, flexibility and
safety are key words in focus of
sustainable steel production. With the
modernisation of the steel rolling mill,
Swiss Steel, a company of the Schmolz
+ Bickenbach Group, is specifically
focusing on the future demands of wire
production.
Apart from occupational safety, the high
degree of automation and more room for
manoeuvring in production and
customer service are central elements of
coil handling. The process parameters
were extensively documented
electronically, and the material flow is
comprehensible at all times.
Intelligent data analysis supports
conceptual freedom in bespoke
development projects – specifically
when it comes to configuring product
properties to meet specific requirements
and the needs of individual customers.
Swiss Steel is taking a crucial step
towards Industry 4.0 in steel production.
Also new at the rolling mill is the
technology used from acceptance of the
drawn wire to its pressing into coils at
the two wire lines.
After acceptance testing, the wire is
transported by means of a vertical pallet
system with 60 pallets and a smaller,
horizontal hook conveyor to the press.
The technology replaces the almost
40-year-old horizontal transport via a
hook conveyor. Combined with the new
press, the process is now faster and
delivers more consistent quality while
using much less energy: The loose wire
is pressed into coils using two press
plates to prevent damage to the
product.
The pressing power of this process
can be adjusted to customer
specification. The coils are then bound
with flat steel strips for a more
compact package. Compared to
conventional binding with steel wire,
transport safety and surface quality are
guaranteed at all times.
In focusing offerings on the customer,
the efficiency of the wire’s further
processing by the customer improves.
Swiss Steel is thus prepared for the
increasing demand in this area for higher
coil weights and innovative process
ideas.
Swiss Steel implemented the measure
during the summer production stop and
at the same time modernised the
five-stage Kocks block which was
inaugurated in 2002. This block is used
to produce bar and wire in Garret
(18-50mm ø) and Stelmor (5.5–17.5mm
ø) dimensions.
In taking this step, delivery reliability has
increased sustainably, while maintaining
the high standards of quality.
Occupational safety has also improved
and now complies with current
occupational health and safety
regulations.
Schmolz + Bickenbach – Germany
Website
Tenova business forges ahead
Effective from 1st January, the businesses of Tenova Core Inc, Pomini Tenova Inc
(USA) and Tenova I2S will operate as a single company. The new company
identity is Tenova Inc and all of its business activities will be conducted as Tenova
Inc.
Thomas Bovalina, current Tenova Core president and CEO, will continue to serve
in the same position for the newly formed Tenova Inc.
The new company will allow each product area to take advantage of Tenova’s
global resource network and advanced technology offerings. The Tenova Inc
product portfolio includes Melt Shops, LOI Thermprocess (heat treating
furnaces), Italimpianti (reheating furnaces and strip processing), Pomini (roll
shops) and I2S (cold rolling mills).
The combined company will also allow for a more seamless and efficient sales
and delivery process for its customers in the USA, Canada and Mexico markets.
Tenova Inc – Italy Website:
€8m investment in steel site
❍ The new wire handling system at Swiss Steel