In this issue, we are pleased to present another successful IRM group project completed for Tangshan Iron & Steel in China. It was a great opportunity for IRM group to work closely with the Tangshan engineers and efficiently commission 4 thickness gauges.

Despite the economic crisis, we continued to receive new system orders in 2009. Consequently, with these projects and increased Research and Development work, the level of activity at IRM group remains high.

More than ever, our goal is to provide our clients with the best measurement systems and the most efficient customer service. We are available worldwide 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all your project, service and part needs.

Everyone at IRM group wishes you a very successful New Year!

Best regards,

Jean-Marc Philippet
Managing Director

The company "Tangshan Iron & Steel" belongs to "Hebei Iron & Steel", the second biggest steel producer in China, with a capacity of more than 30 millions tons.

In March 2004, Tangshan Iron & Steel made the decision to order a new 5 stand tandem cold mill, to be coupled to an existing pickling line. IRM group was selected to equip this new line with four “TVXR-2” X-ray thickness gauges.

The high accuracy and the low response time of these gauges allow fast thickness target changes as well as a precise control of the steel thickness.

Mr. Zhang Hao, Deputy Director of Tangshan Cold Rolling Mill, explains: “Our automation system needs a particularly accurate and fast gauge. During our market survey, we heard about many positive experiences with IRM group from other steel producers. During our technical meetings with IRM group engineers, we understood the significant benefits and advantages of their technical solutions. That’s why we chose IRM group”.

Tangshan Iron & Steel had the ambitious goal to roll the first coil within a short period. IRM group engineers worked closely with the OEM and local teams to design, review, install and commission the thickness gauges. In December 2005, the first coils were successfully produced.

Mr. Zhang Hao summarises the project: “The IRM group team showed its competence in the field of management of complex projects. The gauges were delivered on time and the commissioning was performed according to the schedule. The IRM group field engineers were skilled and developed a friendly relationship with the Tangshan engineers”.

The production achieved during the first month was over the target. At the end of January 2006, the mill operated in fully continuous mode, 3 shifts a day. In February, the production target was reached at mid-month, which clearly demonstrated the maturity and potential of the integrated thickness gauges and automation equipment.

From the beginning, the TVXR-2 gauges were key components of the new line and provided fully reliable measurements. Mr. Liu Yinzhong, Vice Director of Tangshan Cold Rolling Mill, says: “The IRM group gauge is user friendly. The HMI design is simple and clear. It is very easy to use for the production control”.

Mr. Li Dawen, Tangshan Cold Rolling Mill engineer, adds: “The structure of the gauge is well designed for maintenance. We have an easy access to all the components”.

In 2007, to adapt to the market demand, Tangshan Iron & Steel built a continuous hot dip galvanizing line with an annual capacity of 450,000 tons. The line produces cold rolled galvanized strip up to 1.6 mm thick, mainly used for appliances, automotive and various industrial applications.

As IRM group met all the requirements and expectations of the cold rolling team, Tangshan Iron & Steel selected IRM group again for the supply of a coating weight measuring gauge called “FVXR-1”.

Mr. Zhang Hao sums up this decision: “We selected IRM group as they already demonstrated their ability and talent. This choice is a natural result of the quality of their gauges and the mutual collaboration between Tangshan and IRM group engineers”.

The IRM group coating weight gauge is the best solution for any metallic coating line aiming for top quality. The scanning frames and sensor heads are robust, designed for high ambient temperatures normally found on a coating line. The sensor components and electronics provide fast, accurate measurement across an exceptionally wide coating range, up to 450 g/m2/side.

IRM group provided to the Tangshan team an intense training program in Belgium and in China. Mr. Yao Jian, Tangshan Coating Galvanizing Line engineer, says: “We followed the training in Belgium. It was interesting and very helpful for our project and further maintenance”.

The FVXR-1 gauge now operates perfectly since the start-up of the galvanizing line in September 2007. The gauge frame design is rigid and each head drive system is independent, one motor for each head, providing the most flexible control. Moreover, the scanning speed is the fastest on the market.

Mr. Zhang Hao concludes: “The IRM group coating weight gauge provides an accurate and stable measurement. It reaches our expectation of a high efficiency and low zinc consumption line concept. We are satisfied with the gauge’s performances”.

IRM group

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