2019 Pittsburgh AISTech

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Upgrading a Large Process Line Without Impacting Production (Room 316)

08 May 19
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Tracks: Electrical Applications

The dual line at U. S. Steel's Fairfield Works is a critical facility with very limited downtime. The existing automation is a proprietary system dating from the mid-1990s. This paper discusses the challenges faced by Danieli-Taranis and U. S. Steel to upgrade the PLCs and drives in a phased manner without impacting quality or production throughput. The use of an automation bridge to temporarily connect old and new equipment is described in detail, as well as how its design is critical to the overall success of this type of project.