To keep steel flowing smoothly 24/7, the Czech Industry Giant Třinecké železárny teamed up with Ingeteam and Danfoss to upgrade their EMS system. The plant’s ageing, twenty-year-old drives were increasingly vulnerable to failure, risking costly unplanned downtime, reduced steel quality, and difficult maintenance.

Upgrading to robust, easily serviced VACON® NXP drives was essential to maintain production efficiency, enhance steel quality, and ensure long-term operational stability. 

To solve the reliability and maintenance challenges of the ageing EMS system, Třinecké železárny partnered with system integrator Ingeteam a.s. and Danfoss Drives to implement a concrete, site-specific retrofit.

The solution involved replacing outdated drives with nine VACON® NXP Standalone Drives equipped with PROFIBUS communication. These drives were specially selected for their proven durability, programmability, and ability to withstand the harsh steelworks environment. Installed in 2018, they now regulate the rotating magnetic field in the EMS coils, maintaining a stable frequency of 3–5 Hz and a nominal current of 300 A. The ensured smooth 24/7 casting operations

The retrofit with VACON® NXP drives delivered reliable 24/7 performance in the EMS process, eliminating unplanned downtime and improving product quality. Although specific savings figures were not disclosed, the long service life and easy maintenance of the drives reduced operational costs and supported long-term production stability. Value was created for Třinecké železárny through higher casting efficiency, improved steel consistency, and reduced need for emergency maintenance.

The local support from Danfoss Drives also ensured smooth commissioning and ongoing service, strengthening long-term operational resilience.