By building safety right into the equipment, systems and processes running in the steel mill, you can keep operators safe and better informed of what is going on through every step of the process.
Metals Production | Safety and Training | Crane Systems | Power & Motion Technology | By | Aug 26, 2020
From cranes handling thousands of pounds of scrap steel to those transporting liquid metal at very high temperatures, the safety of both workers and equipment is critical in a steel manufacturing plant. By building safety right into the equipment, systems and processes running in the steel mill, you can keep operators safe and better informed of what is going on through every step of the process.
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Industrial Automation in a Steel Plant
One way to incorporate safety into a steel manufacturing plant is automation. The convergence of information systems with operational technology, automation in a steel plant can provide precise positioning capabilities, repetitive motion, and built-in safety features to prevent operator injury and equipment damage. Industrial automation in steel plants can also enhance system analytics and diagnostics, helping to simplify maintenance, troubleshooting, and operation.
Another powerful aspect of automated systems is the ability to learn from them. Sophisticated automated systems give you the ability to learn from the technology by logging events that occur, such as starts, stops, faults, etc. This not only allows you to see where there may be areas for improvement in the system, but also gives insight into operator use. Operators, managers and trainers can review the data to identify potential training opportunities to improve safety and efficiency.
Industrial Automation in a Steel Plant: Three Technologies
No-Fly Zone Technology helps limit the risk of collisions, increasing safety for equipment and personnel. No-fly zone technology allows you to designate areas where crane and hoist operation is limited or entirely restricted. These systems can be simple or complex and are easy to add to new or existing crane controls in your steel manufacturing plant.
Discover the Benefits of Intelli-Protect
Off-Center Pick, Side Pull, and Snag Prevention Technology can be used to ensure loads are lifted safely during the steel manufacturing process. Swinging loads are not only dangerous for your employees but can damage equipment, resulting in injuries, costly repairs and unscheduled downtime. Off-center pick, side pull and snag prevention technology can detect a load misalignment, side pull, or snagged condition and alerts operators with a visual or audible warning before a dangerous situation occurs. These preventative features give the operator the ability to correct the situation before lifting.
Automated Diagnostic Technology enables quick and easy programming, maintenance, monitoring, and troubleshooting of your entire system, from the controls to the gearbox. Advanced diagnostics provide critical information, such as positioning and motion, equipment status, and energy use, to keep your system and products functioning effectively and safely. Whether you’re using a laptop, tablet, or human-machine interface (HMI) to help you manage equipment, automated diagnostic technology can give you access to information 24/7 so you can address issues more quickly, ensure safety, and increase uptime.
From steel production to distribution, innovative technology helps increase your safety, uptime, and productivity.
The demand to incorporate smart solutions and automation throughout every step of the steelmaking process is rapidly increasing. Columbus McKinnon offers products that assist from steel production to distribution, utilizing innovative technology that helps increase your safety, uptime, and productivity.
Incorporating automation can have a significant impact on a facility. Not only can automation help increase productivity and maximize the uptime and performance of operations, but it can also improve product quality, increase energy efficiency, and provide numerous safety and health benefits. When people think of automation for cranes and hoists, they often think of automating crane and hoist movement in a facility. But, there is another important benefit automation technology can provide – the ability communicate directly with the hoist or crane as well as collect, monitor, and analyze performance data.
Implementing automation in your facility can significantly impact the safety, uptime, and productivity of your systems and processes. Deciding where to integrate automation, determining the return on investment (ROI), and being prepared to support and maintain automated systems once they are in place can seem daunting.
In this blog, we’ll talk about some of the most common challenges to implementing automation and what you can do to address them.
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