USE OF PROCESS SIMULATION TO DESIGN A BILLET CASTHOUSE

摘要

Designing a casthouse for billets is a complex activity. It must berncorrectly sized to optimize metal flow and continuously feed thernhomogenization shop. It must also be borne in mind that oversizingrnadds no value and is costly. To solve this problem,rncasthouse operations must be analyzed accurately in real timernusing a discrete simulation model. Such a model was developed,rnwith a library containing all the necessary equipment: conveyors,rncontinuous and batch furnaces, and finishing stations.rnThe model was used to design a fully integrated casthouse,rnrequiring flexible, robust facilities and management of complexrnproduct mixes. By combining this model with the metal-flow sizingrnmodel, design execution and its impact on casthouse operationrnwas optimized. The result is a shop designed for customer needs,rnat optimal cost.