Replacing copper with high-performance aluminum alloys

ROOM 201-202

This presentation highlights the achievements of Green Power Solutions (GPS) in closely monitoring critical aspects of their power modules. They track key parameters such as raw material prices, supply and demand forecasts, and the impact of ongoing transformation processes. The focus is on three major development projects conducted jointly by GPS and AMI Automation over the past two years. These projects aimed to address the challenge of increasing copper demand in the green economy by transforming GPS high-power modules into All Aluminum Assembly (AAA) modules. Despite the electro-thermal properties of aluminum being lower than copper, the AAA modules were successfully developed, surpassing targets and offering additional benefits to end-users. Furthermore, the transformation of standard brass box clamps into No-Drop aluminum clamps proved to have technical advantages beyond initial expectations. This presentation showcases the achievements, emphasizing the environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, reliable, and recyclable nature of the new power modules, contributing to the circular economy. Detailed technical information will also be provided regarding the distinctive features of the new box clamps.

Speaker: Bruno Passerini

Dual Purpose Product

ROOM 201-202

Upgrading the direct current Drive and Motor System to the more modern alternate current (AC) technology requires high levels of investment and extended shutdown times. Partially postponing or updating systems involves changes throughout the energy conversion device chain (drives, motors, installation, etc.). Nowadays, an option exists which makes it possible to upgrade while taking advantage of new drive technologies by using an inverter for induction motors programmed to energize a DC motor. The new dual-purpose drive technology helps facilitate the upgrade by allowing the replacement of only the DC drives with standard AC inverters while reusing the remaining system components such as motors, wiring, instruments, etc. This makes it possible to prevent system obsolescence without sacrificing the upgrade to AC technology, in more appropriate shutdown times, and with the gradual replacement of induction motors according to the capital and line stoppage budgets.

Speaker: Rommel Villarreal

AC VS DC

ROOM 201-202

AC technology will eventually replace DC, but DC it is still a viable technology. The installed base of DC drives and motors and the accumulated experience with this technology are important factors to consider, but the improvements in performance and maintenance requirements of AC are also determinant when considering new installations or revamps. Newer and more reliable power components will eventually match the SCR reliability and low voltage oil-filled capacitor will overcome the life issue that those devices represent.

Speaker: Bernardo Sainz

DigiLCI (Load Commutated Inverter)

ROOM 201-202

DigiLCI is a drive used to control high power synchronous motors, either to improve motor starting to reduce equipment stress or to operate at different speeds. This drive has a converter to excite the motor field, and a rectifier and inverter section to supply the motor armature. It acts as a current source and uses the motor CEMF at load side to commutate in sequence the inverter thyristors, which is the reason it is called Load Commutated Inverter (LCI). Thyristor technology made this drive an efficient, robust, and low-cost solution compared with their counterpart Voltage Source Inverter (VSI), for high power applications above 5 MW, like: cement mills, fans, pumps, compressors, wind-tunnel turbine, or gas turbine starter. DigiLCIe2 offers special features including fully digital control with advance diagnostics, air cooling, modularity, N+1 redundance, among others.

Speaker: Eric Martinez

DigiCYC (Cycloconvertor)

ROOM 201-202

Even though the cycloconverter is a technology that has been overcome by its PWM control successor, the high cost of change makes the cycloconverter still an option in the industry. The cycloconverter surpasses its successor in some items of special interest. This presentation, besides comparing both technologies, demonstrates the cycloconverters still have a story to tell a lot to offer. Our new technology, DigiCYC, replaces and upgrades the control of the apparatus, improving the control and the diagnostics for different types of motors and applications in the steel and mining industry.

Speaker: Rommel Villarreal

Enhancing Process Control: Artificial Vision and AI Solutions for the Meltshop

ROOM 201-202

This technical presentation explores the transformative potential of artificial vision and artificial intelligence (AI) in the steel industry, with a focus on three innovative products developed by AMI: IoTrode, IoConveyor, and IoTap.

IoTrode utilizes artificial vision and AI algorithms to optimize the usage of graphite electrodes in steel production. It enables real-time vision analysis to control electrode water cooling, reducing wear and predicting the remaining lifespan. The product also facilitates quality comparison between different graphite electrode providers.

IoConveyor addresses scrap material management challenges by providing automated classification and volumetric estimation capabilities. Integrating artificial vision and AI offers real-time analysis of scrap materials, accurately classifying them based on type and quality. The system also estimates the volumetric content and density, enabling efficient scrap rate estimation in continuous feeding EAF.

IoTap is designed to achieve the goal of minimizing human intervention on the production floor. Using infrared vision and image processing, it allows for remote tapping of the EAF. IoTap estimates slag carryover and indicate when the ladle level reaches the optimal value, providing valuable feedback to operators during the tapping procedure.

Speaker: Mariana Viale