Lifting equipment in the steel industry is subjected to roughest conditions, especially extremely high, variable ambient temperatures, difficult and heavy loads, as well as ever-changing and gruelling operations. Konecranes provides a wide range of reliable and versatile crane systems and other material handling solutions, specially designed to operate under such extreme conditions.

Konecranes’ solutions offer high levels of flexibility, performance and safety. They have been developed to meet the needs of the steel industry — from the raw material handling to the steelmaking, rolling and refining processes. No matter what type of steel should be managed, including slabs, coils, blooms, or tubes, Konecranes supplies all types of cranes, such as ladle, charging, billet, slab, coil, bar and plate handling, and scrap yard. Design conforms to the requirements of international and national standards; these cranes operate efficiently and safely in continuous use, without interruption.

Konecranes continually invests in R&D to ensure that it offers the most effective, environmentally conscious lifting equipment for the steel industry on the market. Konecranes also designs customised, customer-specific equipment to meet its customers’ unique requirements. Furthermore, its cranes can be equipped with automation function options, which, according to Saeesh Nevrekar, Country Manager, WMI Konecranes India, enable safety and also lead to better productivity.

Intensive performance, flexibility and safety
Because of a higher risk level in transporting molten metal, special safety features are designed for the ladle and charging cranes from Konecranes. The main hoist mechanism of Konecranes ladle cranes includes redundant rope reeving, double service brakes on primary shafts, and back-up brake acting on the rope drum. Rope equaliser beams are provided with a dampening unit to slow down equaliser beam tilting in case of wire rope failure. An upper emergency stop limit switch is also used in the main hoist. In addition, overload protection, main hoist over speed supervision and end limit switches are automatically standard features of the equipment.

Safety is also a key issue for Konecranes charging cranes, together with a redundant control system and load-precise control. Advanced crane control features executed with modern automation technology help guide the operator in precise placement and safe transport of the load along its path. Charging cranes are shielded from the flames and designed to operate in high ambient temperature. Charging cranes are applicable to include a higher lifting capacity for infrequent maintenance tasks such as lifting the furnace shell. Konecranes’ goal is zero unplanned downtime of these critical cranes.

Taking care of safety issues without reducing productivity
Konecranes billet and slab cranes feed the rolling mill, therefore, are critical to its operation. Sometimes they incorporate a rotating trolley or a rotating loading device in order to position the product correctly in relationship to the conveyor. Slab and billet handling cranes must be able to handle radiant heat from the product. These are high-production cranes with high-speed requirements. Konecranes sway control is used for smooth, accurate positioning of the load and assists the operator in maximising throughput.

Combining operating efficiency and protection of the coil
Konecranes coil, bar and plate handling cranes are used to perform material handling in rolling mills, finishing mills and storages. Sometimes these cranes incorporate a rotating trolley or rotating loading device in order to position the product correctly regarding to the plant layout.

Easily moving large amounts of scrap steel
Konecranes scrap yard cranes can be equipped with lifting magnets, hydraulic grab or both together to move scrap steel from one place to another. To keep productivity at a high level, the travelling speed of the scrap yard cranes can go up to 140 m/min, and lifting capacity can be up to 40 tonnes with a loading device.

Dependable crane service for the steel industry
Konecranes offers service on all makes and models of overhead cranes for diverse industry sectors, including the steel industry. Its service is focused on lowering costs through preventive maintenance and improving performance through better technology. The Konecranes service commitment includes a comprehensive offering for all makes and models of heavy-lifting equipment, including inspections, maintenance programs, modernisations, consulting and training, spare-parts services, operator training, crane reliability surveys and 24-hour response. In addition, Konecranes offers sophisticated TRUCONNECT remote services for online reporting and troubleshooting.