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Semi-automation of various foundry equipment , both on and off the melt deck, has been available for more than 15 years, including melt shop computer control, automated material preheating and charging, and automatic pouring systems, as well as many others. However, in the past, the area on the melt deck immediately adjacent to the furnace has always been the most challenging to automate, leaving the furnace operator in a most vulnerable state. The operator is exposed to the risk of molten metal splash areas and water/molten metal eruptions. With the ARMS(TM) (Automated Robotic Melt Shop) System, the melt deck can be automated, protecting melt deck personnel from these hazards.
This fully integrated system effectively achieves melt shop safety by completely automating the melt deck and relocating the furnace operator to a control room, away from the most dangerous areas. All controls for these automated systems are located in the room, overlooking the melt deck, and the room also contains controls for the furnace induction power supply, and the melt shop computer control systems.
From the control room, the furnace operator remotely controls the movement of the material handling systems, furnace, furnace cover, and slag cart, and initiates the various pre-programmed operations of the robot. Multiple closed-circuit video cameras capture operations on the melt deck and display the images on monitors located inside...