Milestone in energy-efficient electrical steel production
The commissioning of the new annealing and insulating line in Bochum marks an important milestone for thyssenkrupp Steel Europe (tkSE). Supplied by SMS group, this strip processing line enables tkSE to produce high-grade non-grain-oriented (NGO) electrical steel strip, essential for energy-efficient motors, generators, and applications in the electromobility sector.
Technological highlights and production process
SMS group delivered the complete strip processing line, including mechanical equipment, process engineering, and electrical and automation systems. The technological core of the line is the combined heat treatment and coating process. The Drever furnace features a patented rapid heating system reaching temperatures of up to 1,100° Celsius. The intelligent furnace control system, I-Furnace®, optimizes the production process using data-driven models to predict material properties and make specific adjustments during production.
Another essential aspect of production is the advanced coating technology integrated into the line, featuring two horizontal roll coaters and a flotation furnace. This sophisticated setup ensures the insulating varnish is applied to the strip surface in extremely thin, uniform layers up to 0.5 µm, achieving high-quality, defect-free coatings. The flotation furnace further enhances the process by drying the varnish without contact, preserving the pristine surface quality.
Innovations for efficient production and digital integration
The furnace rolls and the pay-off and tension reels are equipped with X-Pact® Torque Drives, which transmit high torques directly, minimizing energy losses. The entire plant was engineered using 3D modeling to ensure seamless integration into the existing infrastructure. The X-Pact® Plug and Work concept allowed for automation integration tests using the plant's digital twin, enabling final optimizations before installation.
An automatic AMOVA coil transport system optimizes coil handling, further enhancing production efficiency.
The successful commissioning of this state-of-the-art production line underlines the effective collaboration between our teams. This facility not only represents a huge step forward in our production capacities, it enables us to manufacture high-quality NGO steels that allow our customers to meet the changing demands of the market and to develop products with increased energy efficiency.
Impressions
Main data
- Capacity: 200,000 tons/year
- Strip width (max.): 1,350 mm
- Strip thickness: 0.20 - 1.00 mm
- Process speed (max.): 150 m/min
- Coating thickness (min.): 0.5 µm