Avijit Pande

CCM MANAGER | CONTINUOUS CASTING SPECIALIST
Results-driven Continuous Casting professional with strong expertise in billet casting operations, process optimization, safety management, and cross-functional leadership. Currently serving as Manager – CCM at SMW Ispat Pvt. Ltd. Experienced in handling 6/11 Four Strand two Continuous Casting Machine (130×130 mm billet section) with focus on productivity improvement, rejection reduction, and stable casting operations.

• Managed mechanical maintenance of caster through preventive maintenance and spare management of machines, tools, and tackles.
• Led end-to-end Continuous Casting Machine (CCM) operations, ensuring seamless process from ladle preparation to finished billet dispatch
• Maintain casting stability through optimized oscillation frequency and casting speed
• Perform negative strip calculations to enhance billet surface quality
  Ensure proper secondary cooling, mould lubrication, and casting powder control
• Reduced billet rejection by optimizing parameters and conducting root cause analysis to enhance quality control
• Supervised manpower planning and shift scheduling, driving achievement of production targets through effective resource management
• Enforce strict safety standards and promote incident prevention practices
• Key Achievements:
  Improved billet surface quality and significantly reduced rejection rate
  Minimized breakdown time through effective preventive coordination
  Strengthened safety compliance and enhanced operational discipline
  Improved casting consistency and overall productivity performance
• TECHNICAL SKILLS
  Mold Assembly
  Oscillation System
  Hydraulics
  Gearbox & Drives
  Water Pressure Calculations
  Slide Gate System
  Quality Inspection
  Production Reporting (MS Office)
• LEADERSHIP STRENGTHS
  Team Leadership
  Decision Making
  Problem Solving
  Performance Improvement
  Cost Control
  Safety Culture Developmentt

• Ensure the continuous casting machine runs smoothly during shifts.
• Monitored casting parameters (speed, temperature, mold level, cooling) to ensure product quality standards were met.
• Coordinate casting operations with upstream SMS and downstream rolling mill.
• Tracked casting quality—surface finish, internal soundness, dimension accuracy—and implemented corrective actions to address deviations.
• Implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) and process improvements to minimize defects.
• Use data from the caster to support quality optimization and reduce rejections.
• Ensure the casting area follows safety protocols, including proper use of PPE, work permits, and hazard checks.
• Work with maintenance teams to plan preventive, predictive, and breakdown maintenance of caster equipment, refractory systems, hydraulics, sensors, and automation interfaces.
• Reduced downtimes by planning maintenance effectively and solving root causes of abnormalities.
• Lead, schedule, and coach operators, technicians, and support staff during shifts.
• Assign roles, track performance, and ensure that shifts transition smoothly without information loss.
• Communicate effectively with other departments (SMS, Quality, Rolling, Logistics) about priorities and issues
• Maintain production, quality, and downtime records; create reports for senior management.
• Identify areas for efficiency improvements (better yield, reduced energy.

• Managed complete shift operations, including manpower and production oversight.
• Achieved production targets per shift to align with demand.
• Minimized power consumption per ton, enhancing operational efficiency.
• Collaborated with maintenance team, quality control, and casting department to optimize processes.
• Monitored chemical composition of molten metal to ensure quality standards.
• Adjusted alloy additions in accordance with grade requirements to maintain quality.
• Coordinated spectrometer analysis with lab by sampling metal for accurate results.
• Prepared detailed shift reports and log sheets for accurate tracking.

Maintained accurate, up-to-date records of data entries to support operational efficiency.

• Documented statistical information to generate comprehensive reports for decision-making.
• Managed database backup procedures to ensure critical information preservation during emergencies.
• Compiled SMS and CCM reports on breakdowns, MIS, burning loss, scrap, sponge records, and why-why analysis to support shutdown planning.
• Directed reporting efforts to General Manager, enhancing SMS oversight.
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