NCO has successfully engineered and supplied a state-of-the-art bar cooling bed exit transfer system for Siderperu (a Gerdau Group company), fully integrated with the plant's existing cooling beds and cold shear rolling conveyor. Designed with NCO’s 50 years and more of expertise, the new system addresses complex production requirements, delivering a smooth, reliable operation that supports high-performance standards in modern rolling mills.
The new transfer system employs advanced automation to achieve fully automatic operation, significantly reducing human intervention. Key technical innovations include the integration of fixed and movable frames, levers, and transfer chains with full electric actuation via motor gearboxes. This electric actuation not only ensures precise and controlled movements but also eliminates the need for hydraulic systems, resulting in a highly streamlined, low-maintenance solution. Smooth, synchronized movements allow for consistent alignment and positioning of each bar layer, reducing tangles, overlaps, and operational slowdowns.
The automation system, designed to integrate seamlessly with the existing cooling bed control, incorporates comprehensive field sensors for real-time monitoring and an intuitive Human-Machine Interface (HMI) that enhances operator experience. This robust control system enables quick adjustments and detailed oversight of each transfer stage, ensuring high throughput with minimal manual oversight.
This highly reliable and efficient system achieves the primary objectives of the investment:
- Fully automatic, low-intervention operation: Operators experience a dramatic reduction in the need for hands-on management.
- Consistent bar alignment: Each layer transfers with uniformity and precision, maintaining the required bar alignment with no overlapping or tangling.
- Efficient layer transfer: The system facilitates fast, uninterrupted transfer from cooling bed to shear conveyor, setting new efficiency standards in the finishing area.
In addition to these advancements, the NCO team ensured a seamless installation, commissioning and training process by closely supervising and cooperating with Siderperù ‘s team. This collaboration delivered outstanding results, setting High-Quality standard for installation efficiency and client partnership.
By transforming a historically challenging area into a streamlined, automated process, the finishing section is now fully prepared to handle Siderperu ’s forecasted production increases, marking a pivotal upgrade for future capacity expansion.
This project reaffirms NCO’s dedication to providing tailored engineering and manufacturing solutions that elevate the productivity and efficiency of both new and existing rolling mills around the world.
