If you work with steel production equipment, you will need to know how to properly handle steel in a safe and effective manner. Steel-making equipment education and training will involve learning techniques in order to gain employment through a steel making company.

Steel-making equipment can include many types of pieces used during the manufacturing process. Examples of steel making supplies include gases, regulators, hoses, torches and cutting machines.

1. Get information on steel manufacturing equipment. Find out what type of machinery you will need to learn how to use.

2. Attend training courses that focuses on the handling and care of steel making equipment. Courses will need to usually be onsite in order to allow students to work hands on with the steel making machinery.

3. Join an association to access more training opportunities with equipment for making steel. Steel workers have associations and groups that present educational prospects.

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Gather online information on steel mill equipment and supplies

In order to train as a steel worker, you can look online to read articles about the different types of equipment that you will need to use as well as quality control methods and safety requirements.

I recommend: The Intertrade Steel Corporation produces different steel processing equipment. Contact the company for more information on each piece used in the manufacturing process. Steel Equipment Corporation can give you an overview of the different materials used in the steel making process.

Sign up for steel producing equipment courses

Steel manufacturing can prove a dangerous business if one of the workers is not well trained. Attend training classes from well reputable companies in order to ensure that you can handle any type of on the job situation.

I recommend: ESAB offers a training course for those that work with steel industry products. The two day course will involve both textbook and hands on training of different components of steel producing supplies. If you need extensive training on steel manufacturing equipment, you can attend the 2 ½ year program offered by ArcelorMittal that combines classroom and steel apprentice work.

Network with other steel making equipment workers

Networking with other steel makers has many benefits open to members, including the chance to further your training with steel production equipment. Also, if you choose to join a steel making association, classes are likely offered for free or on a discounted basis as long as you pay your membership dues.

I recommend: LTV Steel is a manufacturing company that offers site visitors the chance to see the steel making process firsthand as well as the equipment used. The Steel Manufacturers Association is a popular association choice for those in the field that want the educational and professional benefits that come with joining an association.

The original methods of producing steel were labor intensive, but with new technology came steel-making equipment to efficiently produce this much-needed commodity on a large scale. Whether you produce steel for the automotive, construction or industrial machinery industries, or for any number of the other multitude of businesses that can’t operate without steel, you must have the proper equipment to get the job done.

Buying and maintaining the equipment needed to turn iron ore or coal into usable steel products is a challenge all steel mill plants face. From the largest of foundries to the smallest mini-mills, your equipment for making steel should come from a reliable source. Whether you’re just starting out, looking to enhance your current production or simply need to update your equipment, some factors to keep in mind include:

1. Steel mill plants benefit from companies that can custom design and manufacture the equipment they need.

2. When your steel production equipment breaks down, you need someone who knows how to fix it right the first time.

3. Buying used equipment for making steel can save your company valuable money at start up or when expanding or upgrading an outdated factory.

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Find companies who make custom equipment to fit the needs of individual steel making plants

Steel mills require specialized equipment to operate both effectively and efficiently. Finding a company that can custom build the equipment you need ensures your steel manufacturing equipment does the specific job required.

I recommend: The Association for Iron & Steel Technology’s SteelLinks.com offers a listing of companies who deal in steel making equipment. These include companies who make the all-important furnaces, which are an integral part of your production line. The trained staff of Amerifab, Inc. can analyze your operation and engineer the equipment that works best for your mill.

Save time and money with used steel making machinery

If your steel mill plant is looking to upgrade or increase its production, but funding is limited, there are many sources of used steel-making equipment available. Whether you need another blast furnace or several pieces of equipment, if you're looking to save a few bucks, then going used might be the answer for you.

I recommend: Whether you want to save money on upgrading your steel producing equipment or need to sell off steel making equipment no longer in use, the Steel Equipment Corporation deals in buying and selling used steel mill equipment. They also can provide steel making supplies including raw materials like coal. Kitmondo is an online marketplace for businesses looking to buy or sell redundant steel processing equipment.

Look to companies who specialize in repairing steel production equipment

When it comes to the high dollar equipment at steel mill plants, business owners shouldn't trust just anyone when repairs become necessary. Finding experts who specialize in servicing your equipment helps guarantee the repairs are successful.

I recommend: The Sticker Corporation’s Reighart Steel Products division specializes in building and repairing steel making equipment, including ladles, refractory doors, and lifting hooks. They also develop solutions for furnace maintenance problems. Superior Machine Co. of S.C., Inc. can service, rebuild or repair your equipment with a field service department who can come out and install or do repairs on equipment at your business.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Upgrading to water-cooled equipment for producing steel can increase your operation's overall efficiency.

Steel-making involves several systematic processes. In order to convert iron ore into steel, you will need a variety of steel-making equipment. Different equipment is available for different purposes, such as removing impurities from the raw material, processing intermediaries and applying coatings to the finished materials.

Being aware of industrial jargon can help you understand steel-making processes. This guide will introduce you to some common steel-making equipment key terms, such as blast and electric arc furnaces, casting and ladle furnaces.

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Blast furnace

A blast furnace converts iron ore into iron in the steel-making process. It is where the smelting of iron takes place by blowing air into a hot mixture of ore, coke and flux. This furnace is suitable for a continuous production process.

I recommend: You can learn the basics of blast furnaces at Metals Advisor, an online resource that provides information for processes and equipment used in the aluminum, iron and steel industry. The American Iron and Steel Institute provides information about the operation of blast furnaces.

Electric arc furnace

In an electric arc furnace, steel is melted using the heat generated from the formation of electric arcs. These furnaces are suitable for a batch production process.

I recommend: You can learn more about electric arc furnaces at SubsTech, a knowledge resource for engineering materials.

Continuous casting

Continuous casting is a process of manufacturing billets or slabs from molten steel. These billets are then ready for further processing or delivery to companies that produce steel products.

I recommend: Energy Manager Training provides information about the basic principles of continuous casting process.

Basic oxygen furnace

A basic oxygen furnace is useful for converting carbon-rich molten pig iron into steel. In this furnace, carbon and other impurities are oxidized to get steel with the required carbon-content.

I recommend: Mississippi Lime, a producer of lime-based products, provides information about basic oxygen furnaces.

Steckel mill

A steckel mill is a rolling mill that converts large steel slabs into rolls or coils by maintaining a steady temperature. This results in uniform steel rolls with a better surface texture.

I recommend: EngNet, an online engineering resource, offers a glossary of engineering terms, including blast furnace and steckel mill.

Vacuum degassing

A vacuum degassing procedure exposes the molten steel to a low-pressure environment to remove gases such as oxygen and hydrogen from steel.

I recommend: To learn more about the vacuum degassing process, read through information at Sunflag Iron and Steel Co. Ltd., a manufacturer of high quality steel.

Being safe around steel making equipment starts with proper leadership and communication from the top down. Steel mill plants are an extremely dangerous working environment where one wrong move can mean the difference between life and death, or even worse, permanent disfigurement. Steel-making equipment safety involves having the proper tools as well as correct training and proper enforcement of company policy.

Employees have to pay particular attention around every piece of steel making machinery. One wrong move can mean a fall or a burn. Other dangers of steel mill equipment include air emissions from by-product gases, particulate matter, molten metals from melting activities, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxides, Volatile organic compounds (VOC), green house gases, acids, noise, other physical hazards and more.

To learn more about steel-making equipment safety, precautions and products available for your business:

1. Look at safety measures for coke oven steel producing equipment.

2. Review blast furnace safety precautions for steel manufacturing equipment

3. Find out what safety equipment is available for your steel making company.

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Check out coke oven emissions as a safety hazard of steel production equipment

A coke oven is one piece of steel making machinery in the steel industry that can lead to conjunctivitis, severe dermatitis, and lesions of the respiratory system and digestive system when exposed in the long term. Cancer is the main concern when working around coke oven, most notably of the respiratory system, kidney or prostate.

I recommend: Check out the coke oven safety information provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They look at emission hazard study information. The United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) also addresses the topic of coke oven emissions as a safety hazard at steel mill plants as well.

Take a look at steel-making equipment coverage of blast furnace equipment

Make sure you take particular caution with the blast furnace portion safety precautions when it comes to steel production equipment. The molten metals and emissions can be extremely dangerous.

I recommend: SpringerLink has a report on blast furnaces. Also check out the steel making machinery blast furnace safety video as posted from Corus.

Order steel making supplies for the safety of your workers

Look into purchases that not only go into the steel making machinery but that also go into the protection of your human collateral.

I recommend: Check out the slip resistant flooring for steel making plants from SlipNOT. Take a look at the mill safety products available from Edw. C. Levy. Consider steel mill and foundry fall protection like that from Diversified Fall Protection.