EuroWire March 2017

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▲ ▲ The new wire handling system at Swiss Steel
11 March 2017
THERE is a 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:
€8m site investment