The design and implementation of a PLC continuous casting control system

The authors describe the electrical control system from the development of the system configuration to the implementation and commissioning of the system used for the Timken Company, Harrison steel plant 4-strand continuous bloom caster. Since the startup of the caster, production has increased to a level equal to the demand for steel off the caster. Many speciality steels that were not previously castable have been cast successfully on the new caster. The level I PLC (programmable logic controller) control system has played an important part in the success of the caster. Hardware failures have been minimal, with level I system, uptime being greater than 99%. The system configuration used and the architectural features available provided a means to effectively integrate control from multiple vendors into a coordinated system. The project objectives have been met, as the system has proven to be flexible, maintainable, and reliable