NLMK introduced remote control cranes and now saves millions of rubles on employees

2024: NLMK introduced remote control cranes and now saves millions of rubles on employees

Novolipetsk Steel Mill (NLMK) successfully implemented a crane remote control system (SDU), which allowed the company to significantly increase production efficiency and reduce personnel costs. This became known in early October 2024 after the completion of pilot industrial tests and the transition to regular operation of equipment.

The Company Intechcom has evaluated the efficiency of remote control cranes at the site NLMK in. Lipetsk Tests began in 2022, and in 2023, three RMS cranes have already begun regular work. By the end of 2024, it is planned to increase the number of such cranes by another nine units: five in the converter shop and four in the briquette shop.

source = Intechcom

The introduction of SDS allows NLMK to save up to ₽3 million annually on the wage fund for each crane. This is achieved by reducing the cost of harmful working conditions and transferring operators to comfortable and safe workplaces.

The use of a remote control system also improves the efficiency of operators by 20%. This is facilitated by improved equipment control and improved time management with a dedicated web-based monitoring application.

Igor Ovyan, General Director of Intechcom, noted that their system is more efficient thanks to the use of virtual reality technologies that provide high image quality and size. In addition, the crane can be controlled from a separate room, which is impossible when using a radio signal with a limited range.

The SDU also includes additional safety systems such as tracking people in hazardous areas, monitoring the condition of machinery and collecting statistics. These developments were created in collaboration with a technology partner, Virsine Innovation.

2023: NLMK launches Russia's first remote control bridge cranes

After a year of testing remote control of industrial cranes, [[Novolipetsk Steel Mill, NLMK Group decided to fully deploy the system. This was announced on July 17, 2023 by Intechkom, which is implementing this industrial automation project.

By order of NLMK, Intechcom is introducing remote control of industrial cranes at the bulk materials warehouse. In the fall of 2023, the first remote-controlled bridge grab cranes in Russia will function at a 300-meter warehouse - first, unload loose materials from railway cars, then supply them inside. In this case, all equipment, including webcams, must remain operational at an ambient temperature of -40 ° C to + 50 ° C, at a relative air humidity of up to 100% and in an aggressive environment (fine dust from limestone makes visibility difficult and can penetrate inside the devices).

Two remote operator workstations are provided for the three cranes. Each is a remote control chair with crane joysticks and buttons, with the help of lightweight VR glasses, a full-fledged virtual driver's cabin is deployed. The operator will be able to quickly connect to any of the three cranes from the same workplace.

Imagine that the driver no longer has to climb to a height and descend from the cabin, go through a warehouse where heavy industrial equipment operates. Thus, we ensure safety, comfortable working conditions for employees of the enterprise and save man-hours. To control three cranes, only two operators will be needed, - explained Igor Ovyan, General Director of Intechkom.

He added that in the future, one person will be able, for example, to set a task to the first crane, then to the second and third and perform other duties, while the automation controls everything.^[1]

2022: Testing crane control with VR

On October 5, 2022, Intechcom announced testing of crane control using VR in conjunction with the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant. The remote control system will make the work of crane operators as safe as possible and save industry millions of rubles to protect the life and health of employees.

Recently, the company introduced a hyper-realistic VR simulator for training and advanced training of crane operators. The simulator consists of a real driver's remote control chair with crane joysticks and buttons and VR glasses.

This equipment is also used in the real crane control system: a simple toggle switch makes the operator's workplace from the simulator.

The crane itself is equipped with webcams, means of transmitting a signal in real time, safety systems, etc.

Pilot tests were carried out at NLMK PJSC's Converter Shop No. 2. The object of the experiment was a semi-cellular magnetic crane No. 42A with a carrying capacity of 60 tons, whose main task is to tilt slabs. By the way, earlier the company participated in the manufacture of this crane, so it is well acquainted with its electrical and software "filling."

Шаблон:Quote 'author = said Igor Ovyan, CEO of Intechcom.

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