The robot arm tracks the location of molten metal to avoid dunking; a back-up probe will be activated if the primary probe fails. If the probe does not sense the metal, it returns to its home position and shuts off.
ADVANCE PRODUCTS CORP. is offering a package of devices for mounting on robotic arms of automatic ladling installations, to prevent dunking. The SmartProbe™ system is based on a proprietary circuitry system that allows the robot arm to “remember” the location of molten metal in a furnace, based on the position of its last pour pickup. A back-up probe is activated if the primary probe fails. If both probes fail, the ladler is programmed to go no more than 1 in. lower than the previous metal-pickup point. If the probe does not sense the metal, it returns to its home position and shuts off. The ladle will not dunk, even if all the probe wires are broken.
The SmartProbe™ consists of three probes: standard, backup, and smart software. If the standard probe fails, a backup probe takes over to prevent the robot arm from dunking into metal.
The probe assembly is easy to mount to the robot arm, and has an adjustable length of 0 to 14 inches. The proprietary probe is designed for years of service, and Advance Products will design a custom mount for a robot, if necessary.