The Novopolotsk Plant of Technological Metal Structures has implemented a project for the production of an innovative product

JSC "Novopolotsk Plant of Technological Metal Structures" is the only enterprise in the republic that has implemented innovative technologies allowing for maximum automation of metal structure manufacturing for non-serial production.

In March 2021, the plant took another step forward in its development: it implemented a project for the production of welded grating – a promising innovative product for our republic. As Deputy General Director – Chief Engineer Ivan Svirko explained, this required working on the creation of innovative technology, visiting various enterprises, identifying key equipment suppliers, and integrating everything into a unified technological scheme. In addition, it was necessary to stay within budget, consider the possibility of minimizing payback periods, and find a niche in the market, which requires a product with high added value.

– We have successfully implemented all these aspects, – stated Ivan Antonovich. – The workshop is operational, and we produced the first products in March. Currently, production is divided into two stages: the production of welded grating mats, which we previously imported from Germany and Poland. Production is concentrated in a new, reconstructed workshop. The main equipment for producing these mats is installed there, and they are sold both within Belarus and to the Russian Federation.

There are also customers who require gratings of a specific configuration. In the main workshop, where metal structures are produced, as part of the grating production project, thermal cutting and disc sawing units for cutting grating to size have been installed. Then, framing is performed, and the finished product is shipped to the customer or, if necessary, sent to a partner – the "Konus" plant, where hot-dip galvanizing is carried out.

The level of automation and production at "NZTM" is no lower than at similar plants in any country in the world, and in the field of non-serial products, it is the highest. Increased attention is paid to product quality, as it is intended for the petrochemical industry, where hazardous production facilities are operated.

Reshnastil production capacity is 400 tons per month. Currently, 100 tons are produced monthly, and work on finding potential customers continues. The implemented technology allows for the production of a wide range of products.

Meanwhile, NZTM already has another innovative project that has been approved by the State Committee on Science and Technology of Belarus. The essence of the project is the implementation of metal structure production technology with multi-system integration of processes based on the Industry 4.0 concept.

What is Industry 4.0? As Ivan Svirko explained, the world is on the verge of the 4th industrial revolution, which entails the replacement of human intellectual labor with the interactive thinking of machines. And elements of Industry 4.0 are present at the plant. For example, these are the machines installed in the enterprise's workshops, which have remote access to the equipment manufacturer via internet connection. Or machines included in a line that make decisions themselves on where, depending on the equipment load, it is more efficient to transfer a particular workpiece.

– As part of the project implementation, we will move towards a deeper integration of Industry 4.0 elements, including in welding production, – noted Ivan Antonovich. – We have a programmer specialist whose task is to integrate production. The next step is modernization, purchasing equipment, including duplicate machines, which will reduce the risk of production downtime and increase production capacity. And this year we will begin implementing the project using an evolutionary method.

What determines the success of the enterprise, the endeavor to which the collective's joint efforts are directed? According to Ivan Svirko, cohesive teamwork of like-minded people is very important. So that everyone thinks and moves in the same direction. Such cohesive work allows for the implementation of a particular project. In addition, a funding source is necessary, preferably not one, but two or three, to minimize potential risks.

– We have foreign investments, our own working capital, bank loans, and, since we are included in the Innovative Development Program of the Republic of Belarus, state support, namely, funds from the innovation fund of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, which are allocated for the implementation of an innovative project, – emphasized the Deputy General Director.

Photo by Oksana SHUYSKAYA, "Vitebskiye vesti".