Outokumpu completes automation upgrade at Degerfors plate mill

Outokumpu has completed an automation upgrade for the cold plate leveler at its heavy plate rolling mill in Degerfors, Sweden, following a project carried out during the plant's summer shutdown.

The upgrade replaced automation hardware that had reached the end of its service life with SMS group's latest X-Pact ProBAS platform and X-Pact Embedded controllers. The existing technological control system and software functionality were retained and transferred to the new automation environment.

SMS group's scope included new automation hardware, application software migration, updated circuit documentation and the installation of a new data acquisition and storage system. Backup control panels were also installed to support long-term operational reliability.

The installation and commissioning were completed within ten days during the scheduled shutdown, allowing the mill to resume production on schedule. Outokumpu granted final acceptance following commissioning at the end of July.

The project continues the long-standing partnership between Outokumpu and SMS group, which supplied the cold plate leveler and its automation system during the modernization of the Degerfors plate mill in 2012.

Outokumpu's Degerfors facility is the company's largest plate production site and produces stainless steel quarto plates for customers worldwide. The upgrade is expected to improve system maintainability and data access while reducing equipment obsolescence risks.