Four projects were presented by Ternium Brazil at the Association for Iron & Steel Technology Congress - AISTech 2022. The event was held from May 16th to May 18th in Pittsburgh, United States. It is considered the largest technological steel event in the Americas for the steel industry, where several companies from all over the world participated. This year, the works presented by Ternium Brazil related to record converter campaign, virtual reality as a risk perception tool in the steel mill, and the use of Machine Learning, Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence applied to steel production.
Engineer Rubia Teodoro, from Primary Refining, Process Specialist Franz Ramstorfer, and Process Control Manager Herber Gomes represented Ternium at the event. During the AISTech, companies present their innovative projects, relevant performances, and improvements in steel production processes that contribute to the employees’ safety, ecological balance, and improvements in the industry. After approving their projects, the AISTech committee chooses the best ones by dividing them into categories. The award is always granted in the following edition.
This was Rubia Teodoro’s first time attending the AISTech, where she was able to present the main actions and significant numbers of the record converter campaign at the Santa Cruz plant to the attendees. “It was very rewarding to have the chance to present this work with many areas involved, representing my co-workers and the company, as well as showing the outstanding data on the performance of the equipment,” she said. Rubia also said that it was a crucial experience for her professional growth and she is grateful for the positive feedback she received. “The presentation created interesting discussions with professionals from other countries, who undoubtedly enrich our knowledge to continue to improve our processes and numbers.”
Engineer Rubia Teodoro presents her project at AISTech 2022.
Franz Ramstorfer had attended previous editions. In the 2020 edition, he was awarded for presenting a project on the use of robots at Ternium Brazil. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he only received a commemorative plaque this year. During the AISTech 2022, Franz presented three new projects: one on the use of virtual reality in risk perception at the Steel Mill to improve the safety and integration in the plant, a model of temperature loss after the end of the secondary refinement process to ensure the steel’s temperature is correct in the casting, and therefore avoid losses, as well as the detection of malfunctions in the casting machine through extraction force.
“The attendees really liked our presentations at AISTech and asked a lot of questions. Thanks to these projects, we demonstrate that we have cutting-edge development, thinking, and technology,” said Franz.
He considers these types of events are important since they show what is happening around the world in the steel industry. “We have found great companies and international suppliers. We talked a lot and watched other presentations. This way, we keep ourselves updated on the market and its technologies and we also know the work level of other companies,” he said.
Process Specialist Franz Ramstorfer presented three new Ternium Brasil projects at the event.
According to Heber Gomes, events like this one make it possible to get updated on the latest technologies and developments on which companies in the field are focusing and investing. “This year, the event was focused on modelling, “No Man on the Floor” automation, clean steel production, and high emphasis on decarbonization,” he said. He further said that AISTech 2022 was a great opportunity to exchange ideas, knowledge, and to observe works on subjects highly relevant to the steel industry’s global scenario.