Autonomous Operation

Steel producers face significant challenges, including maintaining stable product quality, maximizing productivity, adapting to changing production conditions, and meeting environmental targets. Primetals Technologies offers automation and digitalization products and services specifically designed to address these challenges. The core principles involve automating processes using state-of-the-art software tailored to the metals industry. For processes that cannot yet be automated, Primetals Technologies provides stepwise solutions for future autonomous operations, assisting operators and maintenance engineers with real-time production data.

By adopting these principles, operational knowledge can be digitized into expert systems, enabling optimal plant operations and maintenance. This approach facilitates increased closed-loop control, optimized maintenance, and the establishment of a robust baseline for production optimization. Consequently, steel producers are empowered to make decisions, take actions, and continuously adapt and improve, paving the way for one-person or even autonomous operation of production units.

Primetals Technologies offers a comprehensive automation portfolio designed to enhance the quality, productivity, flexibility, and sustainability of steel production processes. The portfolio includes powerful process control and optimization systems that ensure reliable and stable operation across all production units in a steel plant. The automation solutions from Primetals Technologies seamlessly integrate technological, operational, electrical, and automation expertise to deliver improvements throughout the entire steelmaking value chain. Consistent operator guidance and detailed process information across all production units enable continuous control and optimization of production processes. Additionally, Digital Twins provide process simulation, production replay, and operator training.

The Central Operation Cockpit (COC) is an innovative, centralized control system designed for a single operator to supervise the operation of one or more production units in a steel plant, paving the way for autonomous plant operation. This intelligent system features a streamlined interface with a minimal number of screens, prioritizing essential real-time information to optimize operator focus on actual process steps and critical situations. Its ergonomic design and embedded process knowledge enable seamless plant operation from remote locations, reducing human error and maximizing safe, stable operations.

As automation systems become more complex, the Central Operation Cockpit (COC) addresses the challenge of information overload by integrating Digital Assistants. These software products provide operators with real-time recommendations through visual and audio input, facilitating quick corrective actions and improving decision-making in critical situations. This ensures that operators, regardless of experience level, can perform effectively, supporting the production of green steel in new production units.

Equipping all production units in a steel plant with state-of-the-art automation systems and automating intralogistics processes enhances the individual performance of each related production step. A key differentiator that enables a steel producer to stay ahead of the curve is the maximum connectivity of all production units, processes, and products, as well as data-driven support for the workforce's day-to-day tasks. "Digital Unity" is a digitalization-driven concept by Primetals Technologies that addresses these topics precisely. Four digital software solutions are offered to fully integrate data from key processes, including production, quality, maintenance, and energy management, to improve the overall productivity, maintenance, and quality of an entire steel plant:

• Production Management Liquid & Solid

• Through-Process Quality Control (TPQC)

• Maintenance Asset Technology (MAT)

• Energy Management

Primetals Technologies is a leading provider of metallurgical services, including upgrades, repairs, just-in-time spare parts, and on- and offline maintenance, to ensure steel plants operate at peak performance. The service team assists steel plants in reducing costs, increasing productivity, improving product quality, and enhancing safety standards.

Benefit from product-based automation and digitalization solutions, which are tested and proven. Lifecycle support and continuous upgrades are provided through a Subscription Model. This approach incorporates cybersecurity by design.

• Digitalized operational know-how for optimized control.
• Flexible software updates and upgrades for future-proof competitiveness.
• Optimized human-machine interaction for seamless operation.