MINO Process Control (MPC), a specialist in Technological Control Systems (TCS) for rolling mill automation, has successfully completed an extensive modernization project at ELVAL’s Bliss 4-high aluminium cold rolling mill in Greece.
Since its establishment in 2010, MPC has supplied more than 80 advanced TCS packages for Automatic Gauge Control (AGC) and Automatic Flatness Control (AFC), supporting aluminium, copper, and steel rolling operations worldwide. This latest achievement marks another important milestone in MPC’s track record of delivering next-generation solutions to the metals industry.
As part of the project, MPC carried out a complete replacement of the existing technological control system on the Bliss mill by installing its own state-of-the-art AGC-AFC package. The new system is built on the Siemens S7-1500 automation platform, replacing the long-serving SIMATIC TDC technology used across the industry for decades.
Scope of Supply
The upgrade included:
- A brand-new TCS package based on Siemens S7-1500, engineered and commissioned by MPC.
- Modifications to the existing operator pulpit to enable seamless integration of AGC and AFC functions.
- New engineering workstations, HMI stations, and a PDA station to support efficient operation and maintenance.
- A fully integrated Level 2 automation system, providing real-time communication with ELVAL’s Level 3 MES environment.
- Replacement of analogue HGC transducers with high-accuracy Sony Magnescale digital transducers.
- Integration of auxiliary systems, including the high-pressure hydraulic pump-set, into the new TCS for improved reliability and reduced PLC complexity.
Project Execution
The changeover was executed during a planned four-day shutdown, during which the new TCS hardware and I/O systems were installed and commissioned. The first coil was successfully rolled on schedule, and the mill quickly ramped up to full production, processing over 300 coils in the first week after restart.
Strategic Impact
This modernization represents a complete cold mill upgrade for the Bliss mill at ELVAL, delivering cutting-edge automation, higher maintainability, and full compatibility with Siemens’ TIA Portal V20 engineering environment.
The project is the result of a focused two-year development program by MPC’s engineering team and sets the standard for future installations. Going forward, the Siemens S7-1500 based TCS platform will be the foundation for all new MINO Process Control systems — for greenfield mills, revamp projects, and technology upgrades worldwide.
