Steel plant production line automation strategy using advanced distributed control and convergent technology

摘要

This paper presents work on modernisation of a small-scale steel plant production line utilising distributed control strategy and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), known as convergent technology. The developed strategy uses the latest manufacturing techniques and principles, as well as advanced automation and control technology. In particular, we used lean principles and field bus type systems to achieve the above, respectively. Moreover, the entire development considers essential design attributes such as flexibility, scalability, configurability and intelligence. We have demonstrated the above implementation in a real-world application. This work can be extended to the large scale steel plant like Rourkela steel plant of Odisha.