In environments that pose considerable risk to humans, a robot can execute certain demanding tasks with high precision. For example, sampling the melt, determining the temperature and the hydrogen content can all now be done safely and efficiently. The robotics applications are completely integrated into the main automation and so remoted controlled from operator HMI. Further advantages of robotics include improved productivity, fewer human errors, and lower operating costs, such as in our robotics applications for roll change or tagging and labelling.
All tasks happen fully automatically – and in record time.
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X-Pact® Sampler
Robotics applications for temperature and sampling
The X-Pact® Sampler is a robotic application designed to substitute the dangerous manual operation of measuring the temperature and collecting samples from a molten steel bath like in BOF, EAF, LF and VD. The X-Pact® Sampler is able to perform from simple functionality to fully automatic cycles that includes cartridges pick-up from magazine, sample cutting and delivery, scraping of used cartridges, lance deformation compensation and lance substitution management.
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Key features
- Automatic sampling and temperature measuring
- Enhanced safety (no operator close to the furnace)
- Increased repeatability
- Reduced power off (possibility to perform sampling/measurement with electrodes down)
- Automatic cartridge mounting and delivery
- Automatic lance changing and lance deformation compensation
- Automatic sample cut and delivery
- Design always compliant with customer available or preferred instruments and cartridges
- Installation for both green and brown fields
Commercial robot (ABB, COMAU) tailored application for sampling
The X-Pact® Sampler is a robotic application based on worldwide present vendors (ABB, COMAU) tailored for the sampling and temperature measurements. The tailored design includes the lances for different types and vendors of cartridges as well measurement instruments. The X-Pact® Sampler is completely integrated into the main automation and so remoted controlled from operator HMI. Local panel is available for maintenance. Safety fences and safe volumes zones protect the robot cell.
The robot wrist tool is designed to accommodate tailored lances that depend on the Customer real 3D geometry of the surrounding areas. The X-Pact® Sampler is specifically designed for steel plants and so the managing of collisions, mission changes and recovery after a stop are fully integrated and available in automatic way, drastically cutting down the human intervention.
3D Design is the key
The design of a tailored application starts from the 3D model of the robots of the tools and of all the surrounding areas and ancillary devices. This 3D model is directly used not only in the design phase of the mechanical equipment (lances) as well of the robot location, but also to project the robot cycles and trajectories. The robot exit from SMS workshop that is not only completely dressed and equipped but also with the plant configuration already programmed and tested.
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X-Pact® Tag
Robotics applications for tagging and labelling of raw and finished products
The X-Pact® Tag is a robotics application designed to substitute and/or enhance the dangerous manual operation of tagging/labelling on raw (hot/cold billet) or finished product (bundles, coils). The X-Pact® Tag is able to manage different types of labels using welding pin as well thermally activated glue labels. It recognizes the best suitable position to attach the labels using advanced vision technologies (Lidar, 3D cameras).
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X-Pact® Tag in operation Key features
- Automatic tagging
- Enhanced Safety (No operator close to the hot billet)
- Increased repeatability and improved product traceability
- Possible installation in risky areas
- Operative cost effective
- Label quality check available
Commercial robot (ABB, COMAU) tailored application for tagging
The X-Pact® Tag is a robotic application based on worldwide present vendors (ABB, COMAU) tailored for the tagging of hot and cold products, with simple (billets/blooms) or complex geometries (bundles of thin profiles). The tailored design includes the tool that includes the label manipulation and attaching technology (welding, sticking), the vision system for position detection and tagging verification. The X-Pact® Tag is completely integrated into the main automation and so remoted controlled from operator HMI.
Local panel is available for maintenance. Safety fences and safe volumes zones protect the robot cell. The robot wrist tool is designed to accommodate different label technologies and also the Customer real 3D geometry of the surrounding areas. The X-Pact® Tag is specifically designed for rolling mills and casting plants and so the managing of collisions, mission changes and recovery after a stop are fully integrated and available in automatic way, drastically cutting down the human intervention.
3D Design is the key
The design of a tailored application starts from the 3D model of the robots of the tools and of all the surrounding areas and ancillary devices. This 3D model is directly used not only in the design phase of the mechanical equipment (tool) as well of the robot location, but also to project the robot cycles and trajectories. The robot exit from SMS workshop that is not only completely dressed and equipped but also with the plant configuration already programmed and tested. This testing includes the label technology packages from printing to attaching. The vision system is also tested and verified during this engineering phase.
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