Smart Cranes Handling Solutions to the Steelmaking Process

The demand to incorporate overhead crane solutions and automation throughout every step of the steelmaking process is rapidly increasing. From steel production to distribution, smart cranes technology helps increase your safety, uptime, and productivity.

Delivery, Storage, and Scrap Handling.

• After source materials are transported to a steel mill, metals are sorted using electromagnetic overhead cranes, or overhead grab devices.

Furnace Loading.

• Buckets loaded with scrap metal are transported to the melt shop. Charging cranes lift the scrap buckets for heating in either an electric arc or induction furnace.

Slag Handling.

• While in the furnace, impurities called slag float to the surface of the liquid steel. Slag pots located below the scrap bucket collect and channel slag away from the steel.

Liquid Metal Transportation.

• Once the scrap is heated to its liquid stage, the steel is tilted into ladle Crane buckets. The ladle crane bay can transport multiple buckets to several additional processing locations, including secondary steelmaking, de-gassing, or continuous casting.

Continuous Casting and Rolling.

• From the ladle, hot metal is fed into the continuous caster, which shapes the steel for further rolling into its final shape.

Product Handling.

• The shaped steel must be handled by overhead cranes for transfer into storage or readying for shipment.

Dip Tank Treatment.

• If the shaped steel needs additional treatment, such as galvanization, a dip tank system may be used to immerse the metal in liquid.

Tool and Maintenance Shop.

• Auxiliary and maintenance cranes are used to change out components in need of repair or replacement and assist with general operation in all areas of a steel mill.

Dongqi Cranes supply automated lifting solutions for steel production lines, we have the technical expertise to design engineered-to-order solutions that are ideal for your specific applications.