GLOBAL TRENDS

According to a report by OECD (The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) 'Latest Developments in Steelmaking Capacity 2021, Global crude steelmaking capacity increased by 37.6 million metric tonnes (mmt), or 1.6%, in 2020 despite extremely weak market conditions. Over the past two years, global capacity has increased by a total of 73.7 mmt. Asia and the Middle East accounted for almost all of that growth…”

Capacity is expected to continue expanding over the next few years Many investment projects continue to take place around the world: for example. a total of 45 mmt of capacity is currently underway for completion over the next three years (2021- 23) while an additional 68.7 mmt are in the planning stages. Should all these projects be realised, global steelmaking capacity could increase by almost 5% between 2021 and 2023” (OECD report, p5, 2021)

DEVELOPMENT OF 350/80/10 TON CAPACITY BVS CASTING CRANE

BVS Cranes, being the largest crane manufacturer in Turkey and among the top five in Europe, won important contracts in 2020, 2021, from local steel producers and international customers. BVS is well prepared to utilize its great experience, technical capacity, cutting-edge engineering solutions and financial strength for the steel industry with its 2021-2023 growth strategy.

This article focuses on the 350/80/10 ton, 5m heavy duty casting crane designed and built by BVS Cranes for one of the steel industry leaders in Turkey in early 2021 on the Southern Mediterranean Coast. Crane Span: 28.000/26.000mm, Lifting Height: 26.000mm, Crane Runway: 316m.

One of the key aspects of this crane is that, it is an R&D Project with many innovative and practical feautures for the customer. BVS Cranes engineering team made it possible thanks to its ‘Certified R&D Center’ by The Ministry of Industry and Technology.

350 and 80 ton hoists are positioned on four girders separately to optimize minimum distance approaches on both sides and secured ease of maintenance. The system has a fixed operator cabin on the bridge and also controlled at a distance, from an independent control room via cameras, capable of running on an automated scheme. The crane has an automatic or semi-automatic positioning system, offering eight different scenarios. Cabin simulation is available in the remote room so that the operator can observe the crane more realistically. In order to ensure continuity, the entire PLC system is designed as a one-to-one back up.

Because of the lower elevation constraint of the customer, all equipment and the crane itself, which would normally have larger dimensions have been designed with a compact structure taking into account all the safety details without any compromise.

Considering the ISO and FEM norms of our crane, although a life expectancy of 12500 hours is expected, it is designed for a lifespan of 50,000 hours in order to make the working conditions even more safe and reliable.

All sheet metals were exposed to lamination tests according to EN 10160 S2E2. All motors have been designed and built with back-ups in case of a failure.