Steelplanner Optimises Duferco's Supply Chain

Duferco La Louviere has implemented two Steelplanner modules for the optimisation of its supply chain, complementing the existing Steelplanner environment. The first additional module is Betamatcher Midterm for the optimal Hot Strip Mill coffin selection. To efficiently manage a HSM, a planning department must tackle two complex and consecutive problems: the assignment of slabs to orders and the scheduling of those assigned slabs.

Traditionally, these two logistical problems are solved independently. However, this way of working has many drawbacks. This may result in assigned slab-populations that are not feasible to schedule or that result in poor schedule-quality. The implementation of Betamatcher at Duferco La Louviere has resolved these issues. It has solved the assignment problem and the HSM-scheduling critical constraints in one optimisation round.

Mr Tufaru, planning manager at Duferco, said: 'Betamatcher Midterm added value to the slab-utilisation process and allowed us to maximise the HSM schedules by assigning the critical sizes, which increased the schedule length up to 15 per cent.' The second module is MFC-CAP for capacity planning and due-date quoting. MFC, AIS's solution for profit optimisation, capacity planning and master scheduling, has been implemented and tuned for Duferco La Louviere's production environment.

The system contains accurately modelled constraints, including casting transition rules, product mix at the Hot Strip Mill, different production routes with possible reparation operations, campaigns at the pickling lines, limited inventory storage-capacity, customer-order due dates, complex shipment-constraints and different priorities for different order categories. Improvements brought by Betamatcher have included: increases in the weight and the length of the sequences of rolled slabs by an average of 15 to 20 per cent. MFC has improved the customer service and cross-line synchronisation. It has also simulated different production scenarios to plan line maintenances and shutdowns.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Han® HC 250 high current contact

A Powerful Solution HARTING has developed the new Han® HC 250high current connector as a powerful interface that impresses by requiring little space, transmitting high current intensities and allowing flexible configuration of the number of poles. The HC 250 one-pole crimp module can be connected in various frame geometries to produce the required number of poles in a compact space – and in the existing Han® HPR housing. Technical details: - Rated current 250 A at a rated voltage of 2000 V - Termination cross-sections are: 35 mm2, 50 mm2 and 70 mm2 - Maximum four-pole interfaces in a size 24 B HPR housing, making it particularly suitable for motor connections - High quality plastic with good smoke and inflammability levels - Removal tool for simple installation and removal of the contacts and inserts - Confusion of a number of interfaces is reliably prevented by multiple coding options for the individual inserts The requirements in the railway industry are changing, as ...
Read more

EGCS-D0 Accelerometer Now Available in 10,000g Range

Measurement Specialties, Inc. (NASDAQ: MEAS) has recently redesigned the EGCS-D0 accelerometer to enable it to accurately and reliably measure up to ±10,000g. This rugged device is critically damped, which is the ideal mechanism to protect the accelerometer against ±20,000g impacts and prevent sensor ringing. The EGCS-D0 accelerometer is now available in ranges from ±5g to ±10,000g which makes it ideal for both critical low-g measurements and high-g impacts. These units feature a Wheatstone Bridge mV output with a standard compensated temperature range of 20ºC to 80ºC (other options available). The EGCS-D0 was specifically designed for impact and shock testing in auto safety, aerospace, military and civil engineering applications. Designed to be bolt-mounted, this device operates from 2-15Vdc excitation with electrical output ratiometric to voltage input. Optional triaxial mounting blocks (MTG-F4), signal conditioners (Model 101) and auto-zero inline amplifiers (Model 140) are avai...
Read more
Ilix Cermet Reamers Are Ideal For Dry Machining Engineers Cutting Tools, the UK agent for Ilix, has introduced Ilix solid-carbide and cermet reamers for the machining of hard metals. The machine reamers 6372C and 6323 allow the production of high-precision holes with good surface finish. Compared with HSS, the solid-carbide qualities enable the increase of cutting parameters and tool life. The quality of the reamers is said to guarantee high performance, even for hard metals with a resistance more than 1200N/mm2. The Ilix carbide 6372C range of hundredth reamers is from 0.98mm through to 12.05mm in increments of 0.01mm. The reamers are manufactured to a tolerance of +0.000 - +0.004mm. The cermet reamers 6323 have new cutting geometry developed by Ilix. These reamers are said to be ideal for steel machining, having high chemical stability during the cutting process. They offer good wear resistance due to the high hardness and have low material adhesion. The Ilix cermet reamer is said to...
Read more