At the Zaporizhstal Plant, the creation of a high-quality end product relies on a sophisticated network of shops, each performing a vital function. The consistent quality of the metal supplied to customers is a direct result of the procedures followed at all phases, encompassing everything from raw material processing to the packaging of the finished rolled products. The groundwork for this quality is established right from the outset, primarily in the train preparation shop.
"As its name suggests, our unit's primary responsibility is train preparation. However, it’s not that simple. The work demands careful attention and precision, involving the meticulous cleaning and protective coating of molds, proper placement of refractories, and prompt, secure installation of molds on railway platforms to uphold the exact metallurgical pace. The next stage is to receive the molds already filled with steel, carefully strip the ingots, and deliver them to the next production stage. All this requires exceptional skills, as the quality of the formed steel ingot directly depends on it", says the head of the shop, Oleksandr YEHOROV.
Every day, specialists of the Train Preparation Shop prepare about 40 trains carrying nearly 10,000 tonnes of liquid steel. Thanks to their professionalism, discipline, and strict adherence to technology, the team demonstrates consistently high performance. One of the key indicators – first time right products – stands at 99.6% and continues to improve.
FACT
The Train Preparation Shop began its operation on October 28, 1983.
Just before the shop's anniversary, we toured the facility to gain a better understanding of its people. The fourth team was on duty during our visit. In the ingot stripping area, skilled crane operators Andrii Buzko, Yurii Nykytenko, and Andrii Razumnyi efficiently oversaw the operation. Roughly 17,000 steel 'bricks' are stripped in this section each month.
Nearby, train preparers Denys Vorozhtsov, Dmytro Zakharchenko, and Oleksandr Kachnov were working alongside younger staff members Maksym Kalynovskyi and Vladyslav Ilchenko. They meticulously prepare the ingot moulds, refractory by refractory, for their interaction with molten steel.
Oleksandr YEHOROV remarked, "Our employees are dedicated professionals who recognize the vital importance of their work today. The stability of our production is a direct result of our effective teamwork." He added, "Happy 42nd anniversary to the whole Train Preparation Shop team! I appreciate every one of my colleagues for their dedication, responsibility, and consistent hard work".
