Forging Process Flow Development for Plate Production

Developed on the basis of the pilot and industrial work results, a process flow for the production of mono-block plates with 7600x7600x360 mm dimensions from a 290-ton ingot for subsequent 15H2NMFA steel bottom stamping, was carried out. A practical implementation of the developed procedure for the bottom production from mono-block large-sized plates was made. The basic technology for the mono-block plate production was applied in the conditions of Izhorskiye Zavody, OJSC and Atommash, OJSC, this technology provides for a minimum amount of reconstruction of the existing facilities of these enterprises.

Balancing a multistage vehicle number plate production line using effective cycle time model

Shortest product cycle time is a key criterion for job sequencing and measuring competitiveness among entrepreneurial-based firms. Now, the long waiting time of job orders constitutes a deterministic production line problem in vehicle number plate production plants in Nigeria. Case studies were conducted on those plants, confidentially identified in this paper as A, B, C, and D. Delays caused by non-value-adding work processes are major culprits among other contributors to the long queues at these plants. The value stream mapping technique was applied to identify non-value adding activities before the production line was balanced using an effective cycle time model. The index cases to a balanced line, as shown in the results, are increases in process rate by 41 %, 59 %, 42 %, and 71 % for A, B, C, and D, respectively, and overall line efficiency. Next, the system capacities correspondingly increased with the elimination of wastages. These increments imply that bottleneck activities have been minimized, and we have a balanced production line. The devised solution procedure is reliable and recommended to other line manufacturing concerns that experience delays and bottleneck problems.

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY OF MANUFACTURING ULTRA-STRENGTH NANOBAINITIC STEEL PLATES

Nanobainitic steel grades are a new construction material with a strength in the range of 1.9–2.2 GPa, at the same time characterised by good plasticity. Currently, the works on the development of nanobainitic steels at Łukasiewicz – IMŻ have entered the commercialisation phase. One of the main applications of ultra-strength nanobainitic steel plates is armour systems. In order to optimise the parameters of the production process of nanobainitic steel plates, microstructure examination and measurement of mechanical properties were carried out at intermediate stages of production and after final heat treatment. The results of industrial steel and plate production operations were assessed, including smelting and casting into ingot moulds, preparation of the rolling mill charge, hot rolling, plate production as well as intermediate and final heat treatment. Critical technological operations that may adversely affect the quality and performance of plates were identified. The directions for technology modification that reduce or eliminate threats of plate deterioration were formulated.