At metallurgical enterprises, slab transfer devices are widely used, the principle of operation of which is to lift slabs in the steel casting area and transport them to the storage area. The article considers the existing control system of the slab transfer device. At the moment, the mechanism has a DC motor controlled by a thyristor Converter. This system is difficult to maintain and has a large size. As an upgrade, the installation of an asynchronous motor with a frequency Converter is proposed. In the Matlab environment, mathematical models of single-circuit and double-circuit DC motor control systems and a model of asynchronous motor with a short-circuited rotor have been developed. A vector control system is used as an AC motor control system. As a result of simulation performed analysis of the characteristics. As an optimization of the system with vector control, in order to reduce dynamic loads on the turntable, it is proposed to introduce an intensity setter into the system, the use of which provides the necessary restriction of accelerations and jerks, reduces shock loads on the mechanical components of the electric drive, including a reduction in the load on the turntable when lowering the slab.