Multifunction Robot Swivel Arm for Continuous Casting Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing continuous casting plants face challenges with multifunctional robots being stationary near molds, hindering personnel access during disruptions and posing accident risks due to rail-bound systems, which are prone to faults and tripping hazards, and specialized devices only perform single activities, limiting versatility.
Innovation Solution
Multifunctional robots are mounted on swivel arms of rotary columns outside work areas, allowing pivoting between operational and retracted positions, enabling unhindered personnel access and overlapping workload management, with modular design and variable height for optimal positioning and tool supply accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If multifunctional robots are positioned stationary near molds to perform automated activities, then automation precision and activity performance are improved, but personnel access during disruptions is hindered and accident risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robot system transitions from stationary positioning to dynamic positioning on swivel arms, allowing robots to move between work areas and retracted positions. This dynamic configuration enables automated activities to be performed when needed while clearing the path for personnel access during disruptions, resolving the contradiction between automation and operational accessibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rail-bound systems are used for robot mobility, then robot repositioning capability is improved, but tripping hazards and accident risks are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the rail-bound system from the casting platform, replacing it with robots mounted on swivel arms that are integrated into the existing plant structure. This removal eliminates the tripping hazard and accident risks associated with rails while preserving the robots' ability to be repositioned to different work areas and retracted positions.
3Device complexity
If specialized single-function devices are used, then device simplicity is improved, but versatility across work areas is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements multifunctional robots capable of performing various activities across multiple work areas including mold powder feeding, inert gas injection, slag beard removal, and bath level detection. These universal robots are mounted on swivel arms that enable them to access different work areas, eliminating the need for multiple specialized single-function devices while maintaining operational simplicity through centralized control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple multifunctional robots are deployed to cover various work areas, then activity coverage is improved, but personnel access and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel arm mechanism enables robots to dynamically reposition themselves to retracted positions away from hazardous areas when not performing automated activities. This dynamic positioning capability allows multiple robots to be deployed for comprehensive work area coverage while minimizing their presence in areas where they could pose safety risks or hinder personnel access during disruptions.
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to be able to carry out a multiplicity of continously recurring activities at a continuous casting plant in a precise and automated manner in a continuous casting plant having at least one multifunction robot for implementing a plurality of different process-controlled or automated interventions at the continuous casting plant without the accessibility of the casting plant for the operating personnel being impaired or without an additional risk of accident being produced due to the multifunction robot, at least one working region is established at the continuous casting plant and at least one multifunction robot is assigned to each working region. The multifunction robot is arranged on a swivel arm of a rotary column fastened to the pouring platform of the continuous casting plant and can be swivelled with the swivel arm between a retraction position and a working position.