Two new 210-ton pouring cranes were assembled at the arc-furnace plant of Metallurgical Industrial Complex of Novokuznetsk (part of Evraz Group).

One of the cranes (the one used for the pouring bay and the ladle-furnace) has already been launched. The second crane (meant for two arc-furnaces) is going to start operating in April 2007; the company’s workers are getting the equipment ready at the moment, reports the spokesperson for Evraz.

The new cranes are much more effective than the old ones because they have been fitted with the new variable frequency drives that enhance the smoothness and reliability of the equipment performance. The operation of the cranes and potential breakdowns are controlled by a computer. All this is part of the company’s modernization program that has resulted in replacement of five cranes and assembling of one underslung crane so far. One more crane is to be replaced in the last quarter of 2007, with another two cranes at the continuous casting department to be upgraded in 2008.