Intralogistics

Intelligent intralogistics solutions for increased profitability

Increasing pressure to optimize flexibility, productivity, and the quality of the steel manufactured means that digitalized, predictable, and optimized intralogistics processes are essential. Primetals Technologies offers solutions based on the digitalization of all key intralogistics processes, which allows for improved raw material quality, minimized production buffers, increased output, greater profitability, a more efficient flow of materials and goods, and predictable and transparent intralogistics processes.

Intralogistics scheduling solutions

A scheduler optimizes the production sequence in an aggregate while considering the properties and limitations of material and equipment. Such a specific solution uses a mathematical solver for determining optimal production sequences. A scheduler closely collaborates with the steel factory's Manufacturing Execution System (MES). Therefore, optimizing the throughput and achieving the best possible quality of the end product is essential. The solution works according to rules tailored to the process and has the information required to achieve top steel quality (process know-how). For example, steel grades are allowed to follow one another.

Online heat scheduler: Allows the optimum route through the melt shop to be planned based on desired casting sequences and the re-assigning of heat orders in the event of downgrades
Caster scheduler: Generates optimized casting schedules across the multiple casters and multiple strands and adjusts the cutting plan based on detected quality issues

Intralogistics monitoring solutions

Precise knowledge of scrap amounts in stock, finding the required qualities for charging, and having reliable and accurate feedback on the charge preparation are essential for process control, optimized energy input, and reaching target qualities in EAF, BOF, and IF steel production. Therefore, steel producers can integrate monitors in their intralogistics processes to automatically detect critical process conditions by using advanced technologies such as image recognition and help optimize and reduce maintenance efforts.

Intralogistics monitoring solutions combine the experience of a leading metallurgical plant manufacturer with tailor-made advanced hardware and software solutions:

Scrap profile monitor
Scrap type monitor
Scrap composition monitor

Intralogistics tracking solution

In a steel plant, a tracker collects and shares data about the position and characteristics of the material or moveable assets. A tracker uses state-of-the-art technology to ensure seamless tracking and validate data. An experienced tracker evaluates the collected data, provides analysis tools, creates comprehensive overviews, and generates valuable history reports. A tracker documents, visualizes, and analyzes the assets' actual status. It is tailored to function reliably in a steel factory's high-temperature and dusty environment.

Ladle tracker

Fully automated ladle identification
Online tracking system with detailed information
Historical information of all ladles

Intralogistics moving solutions

A mover moves material and (semi-finished) products from yards to plants, between different plants, and assists inbound and outbound logistics using rail lines or roads. These specific solutions typically communicate continuously with supervisors to operate reliably and efficiently and intensely collaborate with Trackers to ensure that supervisors receive correct position and status information. A mover is designed as an integrated mechatronics package unit to operate in the harsh industrial environment of a steel factory. The engineering is based on metals production know-how and logistics know-how.

Modular coil shuttle system

Ensures safe and gentle coil handling
High reliability
Maximum coil collection frequency
Minimum maintenance costs

Scrap mover

Fully automated and autonomous rail-based scrap transfer from scrap yard to meltshop (and vice versa)
Environmentally-friendly battery-powered scrap transfer car (eMobility)
Advanced scrap basket identification & tracking system

Intralogistics supervising solutions

A supervisor monitors defined intralogistics processes, optimizes material flows as well as the motion of movers by calculating optimal routes considering defined constraints, and manages fully automated sequences. These specific solutions prevent unplanned stoppages and delays regarding the monitored processes. Usually, a supervisor is seamlessly interconnected with several trackers, controllers, and optimizers to collect information about material and assets. A supervisor has detailed knowledge of plant utilization and material availability, cranes, ladle cars, layouts, and more intralogistics disciplines in a steel factory and can ensure the optimal utilization of materials and assets.

Scrap delivery supervisor

Automatic guided delivery management
Seamless monitoring of delivery logistics
Clear delivery guidance and tracking
Reduce potential problems due to mixing up different scrap qualities in the yard

Scrap-yard supervisor

Support and management system for your scrap yard
Visualization of scrap yard according to layout
Fully automatic logistic tracking and guiding system for trains, trucks, or vessels (registration and assignment)
Online position tracking of cranes and lifting gears for automatic tracking of material flow