Baowu Group’s technological breakthrough

China Baowu Group has achieved a significant milestone with the successful implementation of the country’s first fully automated one-touch steel pouring system for slab continuous casting machines. The hot trial of this system was a resounding success, marking a revolutionary shift in traditional steel pouring methods.

Traditionally, slab continuous casting machines relied on manual operations in high-temperature environments, necessitating extensive labor, training, and leading to production instability and quality concerns. However, the introduction of the fully automated one-touch steel pouring system has transformed the process. From ladle decoupling to automatic tundish opening, every step is now automated. The system employs advanced technologies such as automatic online width adjustment and electromagnetic level gauges for precise control over the production process.

During the meticulous planning and execution phase, various functions including automatic width adjustment of the crystallizer, robotic sorting and addition of covering agents, and robotic temperature sampling were successfully implemented. Despite facing challenges, the project team worked tirelessly, achieving milestones such as the automatic disassembly and assembly of ladle components and the adjustment of tundish cars’ crystallizers.

The successful commissioning of the fully automated one-touch steel pouring system marks a significant shift towards unmanned, standardized, and cost-effective steel production. This advancement aligns with the industry’s goals of intelligence, environmental sustainability, and long-term development. (By Chen Lixin and Huang Baohua)