Speira is the successor of Hydro Aluminium’s flat rolling business, a company that is a long-standing partner of SMS group. It already uses four Multi-Plate® filters as an integral part of its production process for aluminum foils for the food and pharmaceutical industries. In view of the outstanding results and experience with this filter technology, Speira has decided to expand its capacity by acquiring two additional Multi-Plate® filters of latest design.
Marcus Haumann, Project Manager at Speira GmbH, highlights the reasons for choosing SMS group: "With the two new filters, we now operate a total of six Multi-Plate® filters from SMS group. Our experience with this filter technology has been extremely positive, and its quality, efficiency and sustainability levels are very impressive. For us, therefore, the decision was an easy one."
The mission of the two additional Multi-Plate® filters is to filter the rolling oil in the light-gauge strip rolling mill. This production line focusses on manufacturing of beverage can stock, particularly for can lids. The two new Multi-Plate® filters will be installed next to each other inside the same building.
Anton Plushnikow, Project Manager and Commissioning Supervisor at SMS group, explains: "For this order, Speira asked us to implement some novel features. In other words, we further optimized our design and added some innovative functions. Advances like these not only make it now easier to operate multiple filters simultaneously, but also ensure an even smoother, more reliable and trouble-free filtration process. This in turn has a positive effect on the entire rolling process and contributes to an increase in output and improved surface quality of the final product."
Jan-Peer Remy, Head of Order Handling Fluid Systems at SMS group, adds: “In SPEIRA we have a very demanding customer, which is a positive thing. The continuous feedback received from Speira’s operational experience with our previously supplied filters was taken into consideration in this follow-up order. In particular, I’m thinking here of the flow-optimization measures that ensure the formation of a homogeneous filter cake at a uniform level for premium filter results. Other features and enhanced design include an optimized mixing tank and the integration of a "manual emergency operation” control mode. Many of these improvements will certainly become the industry’s new gold standard. In summary, we listened carefully to understand our customer’s pain points and developed small solutions with a huge value-add.”
Pre-assembled Multi-Plate® filters for a faster startup
Another special feature of this order: For the first time, the two Multi-Plate® filters were delivered fully assembled. This significantly reduces the time required to install and put them into service at Speira. Unlike conventional modules, which can only be assembled on site, these filters are placed on a solid base frame as pre-assembled units. This means that they can be transported directly to their place of use as pre-tested, ready-to-install systems. Thanks to our Plug & Work solution, not only can the equipment be put into operation quickly, it is also far easier to integrate it into the existing rolling oil system at Speira. “Maintaining this customer focus in the delivery process illustrates SMS group’s unwavering commitment to supporting our customers not only with machines but also with optimized integrated packages,” adds Anton Plushnikow.
A logistical masterpiece
However, supplying fully assembled units posed a number of special logistical challenges. The experts at SMS group ensured that everything went smoothly, precisely according to plan, and without any complications.
Within just five hours, the Multi-Plate® filters were prepared, loaded and secured on the low loader at SMS group’s Hilchenbach facility. This was only possible thanks to all the thorough preparations made, as special care had to be taken when transporting the 20-ton filters, particularly in terms of their center of gravity. By using detailed transport sketches and precise calculations from the design engineers, the crane operators were able to position the lifting equipment correctly and keep the filters balanced. The careful positioning of the filter on the low loader was crucial for safe transport, with the weight being distributed toward the center of the loading area to the exact centimeter. Various transport devices on the filter ensured its safe transportation. The sensitive parts on the filters, such as electrical control systems, sensors and valves, were secured for transport by means of additional packaging and protective measures.
The first Multi-Plate® filter set off on its journey from SMS group in Hilchenbach during the night, reaching its destination at Speira’s Grevenbroich site at 3 a.m. The second filter “spent the night” at the logistics company and arrived at Speira at around eight o’clock in the morning. There, the equipment was also unloaded with maximum precision. Each Multi-Plate® filter was lifted off the truck with a mobile crane and then transported to the hall using remote-controlled armored rollers. The filters were then placed in position at their final place of use.
Ambitious time schedule from start to finish
In the steps to follow, the Multi-Plate® filters will be connected to Speira’s existing rolling oil system. This includes the mechanical and electrical connections as well as the integration into the digital control system. Once installed, the systems are then validated to ensure that they operate properly. Comprehensive function tests and safety checks are carried out. After that, the system is put into operation.
In total, SMS group has three weeks only to complete these tasks.