Recently, the T4 series of fully self-developed and controllable PLCs from Baoxin Software has been successfully deployed and smoothly put into operation at the slag system of No.4 blast furnace at the Baoshan base of Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. This marks a significant breakthrough for domestic large-scale PLCs in the core control domain of blast furnaces within the metallurgical industry.
Breaking the Monopoly: Domestic PLC Enters the "Nerve Center" of a Large Blast Furnace for the First Time The blast furnace, one of the most energy-intensive and complex pieces of equipment in the steel production process, relies on its control system as the "nerve center" ensuring safe and stable operation. For a long time, the core control systems of domestic blast furnaces have been highly dependent on well-known foreign brands, leading to issues such as long procurement cycles, delayed service responses, and critical technology bottlenecks. The successful first application of the T4 series PLC in the blast furnace slag control system achieves comprehensive domestic substitution, covering the core controller, IO modules, control logic, as well as the hardware of the upper computer, operating system, IDE PLC development software, and HMI SCADA system.
Rapid Switchover: Completing a "Seamless Brain Transplant" in Four Days From April 27 to 30, under the unified coordination of the ironmaking plant of Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., the Baoxin project team completed the installation and deployment of the T4 PLC within the planned 60 hours. They also carried out signal testing, individual equipment trials, system joint debugging, and the final switchover to live operation. Before the blast furnace was restarted, the project team, with guidance and support from the equipment department and technical experts, precisely addressed and collaboratively overcame technical challenges such as signal interference, isolator failures, and loose fiber optic connections, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent switchover. This efficient progress was attributed not only to the innovative "zero-threshold migration + optimal performance utilization" solution but also to the thorough technical preparation and close on-site collaboration between both teams, culminating in the successful system switchover on April 30. After going live, all control indicators met the design expectations, successfully verifying the stable and reliable operation capability of the domestic large-scale PLC under the harsh working conditions of a blast furnace.
Far-Reaching Significance: Setting a Benchmark for Domestic Control Systems in Metallurgy The successful deployment of the T4 series PLC in the blast furnace slag control system represents another important breakthrough following its applications in scenarios such as cold rolling high-speed temper mills, hot rolling heating furnaces, and heavy plate rolling. It further validates that domestic high-end PLCs possess full adaptability and reliable competency in industrial control fields characterized by large scale, high complexity, and stringent reliability requirements. The successful implementation of this project not only provides a replicable and scalable benchmark case for the domestic substitution of core blast furnace control systems but also strengthens the security barrier of China's metallurgical industry chain, injecting strong momentum into the drive for high-end industrial transformation. Baoxin Software will continue to advance the optimization and iteration of its T4 PLC products, accelerating the pace of industrial promotion, and fortifying industrial security with self-developed and controllable core technologies.
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