Flexible production at competitive cost: Siemens extends portfolio for aluminum foil rolling mills

Thus, even small lot sizes can be rolled flexibly and with a fast return on investment. The rolling mill's concept attaches particular importance to reduction of construction and commissioning time, as well as easy operation and maintenance. The Siroll aluminum foil rolling mills are available in roughing, intermediate and finishing mill configurations. All the foil rolling mills are equipped with Siemens automation systems including TCS (Technical Control System) for flatness and thickness control.

In aluminum foil rolling mills, small batch production inevitably reduces the availability of the mill and leads to increased specific production costs. This is why Siemens has extended its portfolio of aluminum foil rolling mills, designing a system that has been specially optimized for low-cost production of small and medium production volumes between 15,000 and 20,000 tons of aluminum foil per year, allowing producers to better respond to changing customer requirements.

A Siroll aluminum foil rolling line comprising a roughing mill, an intermediate mill and a finishing mill is designed to take a coil of AA 1000, AA 3000 or AA 8000 series material of between 0.1 and 0.6 mm thick, 1,000 to 1,870 mm in width, weighing up to 16 tons and produce foil thicknesses of 2 x 6 microns at production speeds up to 1500 mpm. Flexible rolling programs enable a swift response to changing market requirements, even with small lot sizes.

Siemens supplies and commissions all of the mechanical and electrical equipment, fluids systems and process automation. User-friendly control and monitoring equipment includes diagnostic and alerting functions to ensure efficient and reliable operation. Product quality is assured by a series of linked measurement systems and actuators including systems for monitoring strip tension and rolling speed, an X-ray unit for determining strip thickness and Shapetech Flatness Air Bearing Shapemeter roll (ABS) and Shapetech ISV spray bars.

To ensure the high quality, and to accelerate construction and commissioning, core components of the aluminum rolling mill are manufactured, pre-assembled and tested at regional Siemens locations according to Siemens rigorous in-house quality control standards. Siemens also provides training for the operator's personnel and offers extensive after sales support by specialists at branch offices in the customer's proximity.

Further information on solutions for steel works, rolling mills and treatment lines can be found at: http://www.siemens.com/metals

Air Bearing Shapemeter is a registered trademark of Siemens AG or one of its subsidiaries in some countries.

The Siemens Industry Sector (Erlangen, Germany) is the worldwide leading supplier of environmentally friendly production, transportation, building and lighting technologies. With integrated automation technologies and comprehensive industry-specific solutions, Siemens increases the productivity, efficiency and flexibility of its customers in the fields of industry and infrastructure. The Sector consists of six divisions: Building Technologies, Drive Technologies, Industry Automation, Industry Solutions, Mobility and Osram. With around 204,000 employees worldwide (September 30), Siemens Industry achieved in fiscal year 2010 total sales of approximately €34.9 billion. www.siemens.com/industry

The Siemens Industry Solutions Division (Erlangen, Germany) is one of the world's leading solution and service providers for industrial and infrastructure facilities comprising the business activities of Siemens VAI Metals Technologies, Water Technologies and Industrial Technologies. Activities include engineering and installation, operation and service for the entire life cycle. A wide-ranging portfolio of environmental solutions helps industrial companies to use energy, water and equipment efficiently, reduce emissions and comply with environmental guidelines. With around 29,000 employees worldwide (September 30), Siemens Industry Solutions posted sales of €6.0 billion in fiscal year 2010. http://www.siemens.com/industry-solutions