STEELMAN: Production Routing

The Production Routing Module of STEELMAN builds a description of the sequential manufacturing steps (production way steps) in the conversion of semi-finished product (feed stock) into a semi-finished or finished product with new and modified attributes.

A specific 'product routing' is identified in the data base for each product designated by an internal product number, and in conjunction with the converted semi-finished or finished product attributes of:

Working backwards through the product routing from the last Processing Unit through to the first, this module determines the required input feed stock attributes into the Processing Unit based on the semi-finished or finished product attributes out of the Processing Unit. Having established the required feed stock attributes in, these along with the output attributes and product metallurgical grade, are used to determine if it is possible to manufacture the desired product at the Processing Unit.

The Production Routing Module establishes:

• the production way steps (sequence of manufacturing steps),
• the quantity of input feed stock required into each Processing Unit as a result of yield losses due to edge trimming, or product weight gain as in the case of the electrolytic tinning operation,
• the feed stock dimensional attributes as in the case of producing Cold Rolled Coils from Hot Band through Tandem Cold Rolling Mill, and
• whether or not it is possible to manufacture the end product given the desired attributes and characteristics defined for each intermediate processing step.

The current implementation of STEELMAN schedules the steel manufacturing process starting from slabs. The Manufacturing Modules were designed to allow future releases of STEELMAN to include a Heat Build module which will manage slab production through a continuous caster and Steel making operation.