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Imagine 300 tons of molten steel flooding your production floor in a matter of seconds—an operational nightmare with severe financial and safety implications. This worst-case scenario becomes a very real possibility when critical components like the ladle slide-gate system fail during continuous casting operations.
The failure modes of these components are varied: extreme heat, corrosion, and mechanical wear take a heavy toll on the system. Traditionally, the response has been cautious and conservative—relying on frequent manual inspections and the early replacement of components to mitigate risks. However, this approach is not without its drawbacks, consuming significant time and resources.
To tackle these issues and reduce risks more efficiently, RHI Magnesita, in partnership with Alpamayo and CSEM, developed an innovative solution: the Health-Check Platform. This platform enables real-time, data-driven monitoring of the ladle slide-gate system by combining sensor data with production insights. This allows for a precise assessment of component conditions, enabling targeted maintenance actions based on reliable data, rather than conservative estimations.
The platform's successful deployment—overcoming common challenges such as integration with existing infrastructure and ensuring data security—illustrates how proactive maintenance can be effectively implemented in steel production. We’re proud to support RHI Magnesita as their partner in delivering this solution, helping steel plants minimize operational risks and improve efficiency.
Read our joint article in fmpro Service to learn how RHI Magnesita, with our support, successfully navigated the challenges of developing and implementing the Health-Check Platform.
Find out more about our collaboration and how we have overcome typical OEM challenges in digitization together.
