Actuation solution for steel plant

Paul Boughton

SIPOS Aktorik has secured a contract to supply advanced actuation technology to the Dillinger Hütte steel plant in Germany.

The company’s SIPOS 5 HiMod actuators have been selected for essential valve control automation of a new double-strand continuous caster which has been authorised by the Supervisory Board of Aktien-Gesellschaft der Dillinger Hüttenwerke (Dillinger Hütte).

Known as Continuous Caster 6 (CC6), the line will supply slab to both high-capacity heavy plate rolling mills in Dillingen and to the company’s wholly owned subsidiary, GTS Industries in Dunkirk, in addition to fulfilling the requirements of the company’s increasingly sophisticated product mix. The line, which has a vertical caster design, will replace Continuous Caster 3.

Commenting on the selection of the SIPOS 5 HiMod actuation technology, Tino Raschke, SIPOS’ regional sales manager said: “Cooling regulation at CC6 requires extreme accuracy to ensure the high quality of the plates. This is aided by the HiMod actuator which is a precision product designed to address the most challenging valve control requirements with high end modulating duty, precision and longevity. 

“Key features of the SIPOS 5 HiMod, which helped to secure the Dillinger Hütte contract, included its high precision position encoder offering exceptional accuracy and Modulation Class D (continuous duty) according to DIN EN 15714-2.”

Representing an investment of around EUR 300 million, CC6 is reported to be one of the biggest single investments ever made at the Dillingen site. The project establishes Dillinger Hütte’s technological leadership in the production of premium, continuously cast slabs for demanding heavy plate specifications. CC6 is due to commence operation in the first half of 2014.

For more information, visit www.sipos.de

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