“Round table”

  On May 23, 2001 a "round table" was held in the conference hall of Golden Ring hotel in Moscow. It was arranged by Moscow representative Office of ALUSIL and editorial body of "Tsvetnye metalli" (Non-Ferrous Metals) magazine and was devoted to problems of modernization of aluminum alloy billet production at Russian metallurgical plants.
    25 specialists from 12 companies took part in this event including Russian companies such as "Russian Aluminum" (Moscow Office, Scientific& Research Center, Bratsk Aluminum Smelter- BRAZ), Sibirsko-Uralskaya Aluminum company (Kamensk-Uralski Non-Ferrous Metal Processing Works (KUMZ), VSMPO (Verkhnaya Salda plant), SMK (Stupino Metal Works), VILS (All-Russia Institute of Light Alloys), as well as foreign companies such as PYROTEK (USA), ALCOA (USA), WAGSTAFF (USA), PECHINEY ALUMINIUM ENGINEERING(France).




The following issues were offered for discussion:

• Is modernization of metallurgical plants' casthouses welltimed and necessary?

• What are the main directions of casthouse modernization?

• What best foreign experience and which foreign equipment should be used for this?

At the meeting the following reports were made with their further discussion:

• Technical aspects for modernization of aluminum wrought alloys billet production.
  G. Makarov,Scientific Consultant, Alusil.
  
  

• Main trends for technology and equipment development of aluminum wrought alloys billet casting.
  V. Napalkov, Chief Technician, Russian Aluminium.
  
  

• Billet casting of 2xxx and 7xxx series aluminum alloys using Wagstaff technology.
  Lee E. Swartling,
  Sales Manager, Wagstaff.
  
  

• VSMPO challenges regarding aluminum alloy casting operations.
  A. Sukhihk, Deputy Chief Metallurgist, VSMPO.
  
  

• New developments of SNIF units for aluminum alloy refining.
  S. Usenko, Leading Expert, Pyrotek.
  
  

• KUMZ modernization experience in melting and casting equipment.
  S. Tsoukrov,
  Deputy Chief of Development Department, KUMZ.
  
  

• Control for aluminum alloy billet structure in continuous casting process using magnetic hydraulic pumps for solidifying melt mixing.
  V. Borisov, Director, Research & Development Center, Russian Aluminium.
  
  

• Improvement of aluminum alloy refining units and computerized billet casting systems.
  Jean-Marie Chateau,
  General Manager, Alpur and casting equipment, Pechiney Aluminium Engineering.
  
  

• Advances in technology and organization of melting and casting production at SMK.
  S. Kononov, Technical Director, SMK.
  
  

• New aluminum alloys' impact on development of technology and equipment for billet production.
  V. Davydov, Deputy General Director, VILS.
  
  

    During the meeting there was a very interesting discussion on the rational type of melting and casting unit for aluminum alloy billet production in which Deputy chief of Development Dept. of KUMZ S.Tsoukrov, Head of SMK froundry V.Kalougin, senior specialist of VILS V.Gogin, Scientific consultant of Alusil G.Makarov, head of casting dept. of BrAZ V.Gorbunov took part.

    Concluding the discussion Technical director of Alusil Moscow office M.Lokshin noted the apparent usefulness of the discussion held for all its participants and informed the audience that Alusil in cooperation with "Tsvetnye metallic" (Non-Ferrous Metals) magazine is planning to hold similar meetings on the following problems in 2001:

• Modern equipment and technology for aluminum alloy extrusion.

• State-of-the-art equipment and advanced technologies for aluminum recycling.

    The materials of the "round table" held in May will be published in August issue of "Tsvetnye metalli" (Non-Ferrous Metals) magazine.