Elevating Efficiency in the Steel Industry
As a pillar of India's manufacturing sector, the steel industry is pivotal to the nation's growth, driven by visionary initiatives like Make in India. Contributing approximately 2% to GDP, India proudly stands as the world's second-largest steel producer. The industry's relentless operation is vital, as any downtime can lead to substantial production and financial setbacks.
At the heart of steel production lies the Hot Strip Mill (HSM), a marvel of engineering that transforms thick steel slabs into thin, versatile sheets. These slabs journey through powerful rolling mill stands, driven by robust motors, before passing through coilers and advancing to the next stage. Renowned for their high output capacity and adaptability, HSMs are indispensable in the efficient production of flat steel products.
The Challenge
One of India’s leading steel manufacturers was facing a problem with its Hot Strip Mill; the seals in the looper roller bearing housing were failing. The seals are tasked with keeping water out and grease in while enduring temperatures between +30°C to +60°C and speeds of 1400 RPM. But water infiltration was damaging the bearings, leading to frequent seal failures every 3-4 months.
Enter Trelleborg Sealing Solutions India, whose technical team swiftly identified the root cause: the existing seals couldn't withstand the high-water pressure and were made of unsuitable materials. The team engineered a customized seal with dual layers of robust materials designed to handle higher pressure. The outer layer, crafted from metal and coated with a special sealant, is both leak-proof and rust resistant. Remarkably, this innovative seal fits seamlessly into the existing housing without any modifications.
Customer Benefits
The customer was delighted with Trelleborg's solution, which required no changes to their hardware or application settings. The new seals eradicated failures, slashed downtime, and minimized production losses, resulting in substantial long-term cost savings due to their extended service life.
Trelleborg’s cutting-edge sealing solution not only enhanced operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness but also ensured reliable and enduring performance in the hot strip mill. This innovation underscores our commitment to excellence and our dedication to empowering the steel industry with unparalleled solutions.