CNES services slab carrier

(CNES) has refurbished a 300-tonne

slab carrier vehicle used for transporting steel slabs around Corus’ production site at

.

The vehicle is operated by MultiServ, the site operator at the facility. MultiServ selected CNES for the work as they had already serviced their KRESS machines over the last 15 years.

CNES structural engineers at Rotherham concluded that both rear sides and a section of torque tube would need to be replaced, along with the swan-neck at the front of the vehicle. The torque tube transmits the traction forces generated by the wheels to the carrier frame, twisting as the unit moves.

CNES generated a refurbishment procedure for the torque tube and discussions were held with the slab carrier manufacturer Kress in the US. Kress approved the procedure and material selections for the tube, as well as the back end replacement.

CNES overcame the challenge of lack of technical drawings by reverse engineering the templates for the back end side plates, which had to be formed, then profiled, before fabrication. Once delivered to Port Talbot, the unit was painted, and then re-assembled ready for use.

The refurbishment of the 300-tonne slab carrier was completed over a six-month time frame by CNES and MultiServ now has the carrier fully operational on site at Port Talbot. A second carrier unit from Port Talbot is now at CNES’ Rotherham workshops undergoing refurbishment, along with a smaller unit from Corus Teesside. CNES is now involved with MultiServ on a ‘rolling rebuild’ programme for the carrier fleet.