200 Million Load Changes Move 25 Tons of Steel

If every standstill costs a small fortune, quality becomes an obligation!

This is how Ulrich Grziwotz, Team Leader for the Service & Development Team in the continuous casting division of ThyssenKrupp Steel AG in Duisburg-Bruckhausen, describes the requirements on components for his systems.

The machine head with ingot mold and elevating platforms from SMS Demag AG and the integrated hydraulic cylinders from Hänchen Hydraulik are particularly important here. Because the oscillating movement of the ingot mold, driven by the hydraulic cylinder, ensures an optimum quality
and smooth flow of 3 mn tons of high-tech steel every year.

The 25t ingot mold oscillates at up to 3 Hz with a random vibration profile. The guide accuracy of the machine head in a vertical and
horizontal direction as well as the reproducibility of the processes hereby fulfill the highest quality demands.

At 1.5 Hz in normal operation and a maximum frequency of 3 Hz, each linear drive performed 200 million load changes in 6 years before the cylinders were delivered to the Hänchen works in Ostfildern in the Spring of 2005 for an inspection.

Read more about Hänchen Hydraulik specialty cylinders.