In this newsletter, we are pleased to review another successful IRM group project, this time a coating weight gauge for Arcelor Mittal in Luxemburg.

In 2007, the IRM group sales of similar coating weight systems increased significantly. Obviously, many galvanizers considered that investing in an accurate and fast gauge was a major success factor in correctly controlling coating weight and reducing zinc consumption.

Following a series of thorough and independent customer tests, the FVXR-1 coating weight gauge has been recognized by leading steel producers as the highest performing system on the market today.

This year, IRM group will release new innovative products to further help customers improve their productivity with more reliable and accurate on-line measurement.

For additional information about our company and products, please forward an e-mail to info@irmgroup.info or visit our web site www.irmgroup.info

Enjoy the article!

Sincerely,

Jean-Marc Philippet
Managing Director

Arcelor Mittal “Dudelange” (formerly “Galvalange”) is a leading European producer of coated steel. Their galvanizing “line n°2” specializes in Galvalume (steel coated with an alloy of 55% aluminium, 43,5% zinc and 1.5% silicon) for the construction industry, with coating weights up to 200 g/m2/side (or 26 µm per side). At the end of 2006, Arcelor Mittal decided to replace their existing coating weight gauge.

Guy Schmit, Arcelor Mittal maintenance engineer, explains: "Our previous gauge was an isotope one. It had been supplied by a different manufacturer than IRM group. Unfortunately, we suffered serious problems in terms of reliability. In consequence, we had no other option than to replace the gauge".

Arcelor Mittal invited several gauge manufacturers to bid on this project. IRM group proposed its advanced, on-line, FVXR-1 coating weight gauge. This sensor uses fluorescence to measure the zinc/aluminium layer with a high accuracy.

After carefully comparing the different proposals, Arcelor Mittal chose IRM group. Guy Schmit comments: "We based our choice on technology, reliability and service. Our priority was to acquire a top performance gauge with the best quality/price ratio. Moreover, we paid a special attention on the fact that the design of most components was standard. Finally, we preferred X-ray technology to isotope as we felt it was better suited for a modern galvanizing line".

Arcelor Mittal needed the new gauge quickly given their high production level and problems with the existing gauge. Thomas Harzé, IRM group project manager, explains: “The deadline for this project was particularly short. To better serve our customer, we allocated more resources to speed up the design and  manufacturing periods of the gauge. The various components were supplied just-in-time for the final assembly and tests. Thanks to the flexibility of its supply chain and the know-how accumulated for many years, IRM group was able to deliver the equipment in a record time“.

The specifics of the project were discussed extensively during a kick-off meeting held at a very early stage in the project, on the basis of a detailed technical specification established beforehand by Arcelor Mittal. Most importantly, the new O-frame had to fit within the space of the previous gauge to reduce line changes and downtime. This required additional mechanical design work, also to be completed within the short project duration. In order to avoid any delay in the manufacturing schedule, Thomas Harzé organized regular meetings with Arcelor Mittal engineers to efficiently coordinate everyone involved in the project.

In March 2007, the new gauge was fully tested in IRM group workshop. During the Factory Acceptance Test, Xavier Pech, production manager of Arcelor Mittal Dudelange, and his colleagues successfully checked all operational and performance aspects of the IRM group system. As a result, on-site installation and commissioning periods were completed in only one week, allowing Arcelor Mittal to restart the galvanizing line at the initially planned date.

Guy Schmit summarizes Arcelor Mittal’s satisfaction: "During the 11 months of operation since start-up, we did not have any problems with the IRM group gauge. It works with the high performance and reliability we were expecting".

IRM group

info@irmgroup.info

www.irmgroup.info

Editor : IRM group - 30 Avenue du Progrès - 4432 Alleur - Belgium