Case Studies
Company A
Company A had been suffering breakouts on a low alloy open-cast wire grade and concluded it was due to slag inclusions.
Platform Technology analysed the LF treatment solved the problem by adjusting the LF treatmen and aim chemistry specification.
On a later visit the same grade was made with submerged casting to improve the surface quality but caster sequence length was low due to refractory erosion. Platform Technology recommended changes to the EAF tapping practices and LF chemistry to reduce refractory erosion.
Company C
Company C started up a new continuous casting machine, and with commissioning assistance from Platform Technology, were soon able to exceed the guaranteed casting speed. However the secondary cooling parameters, whilst effective at high speed were not suitable for lower casting speeds which were necessary at some stages of the production process.
Platform Technology implemented a system which allowed the caster to operate successfully over the full range of casting speeds.
Company B
Company B were running a "vintage" casting machine, and improved throughput by investing in new technology. However the reliability of the plant reduced as the higher casting speed caused more breakouts.
Platform Technology made a detailed study of the operation and determined the cause of the breakouts. New procedures were introduced which eliminated the breakouts, increasing the production by 30%.
Company B invested in a new casting machine, and asked Platform Technology to carry out a detailed operator training program over 6 months to guarantee a smooth startup of the new plant.
Company D
Company D had recently invested in a new CCM equipped with submerged casting allowing them to enter higher quality markets. They has not made aluminium killed steels or other high quality SBQ before.
Platform Technology were able to provide classroom training for the meltshop metallugists and process engineers as well as detailed on the job training for operators to allow them to quickly ramp up their production of Ak steels and high carbon wire rod products.
