Fully automated laboratory system accelerates sample processing and process control

Taiyuan Iron & Steel (Group) Co. Ltd. (Tisco) has implemented a number of new technologies in the Taiyuan plant with the objective of further improving quality. As a component of the 'Intelligent Steel Making Level 2 Model', the automated system to process pig iron and steel samples defines a new standard. The analysis is now faster, more precise and can be better reproduced, and it contributes significantly to improved control and regulation of the steel generation process. The system had to be installed and commissioned during ongoing operation, because neither the production nor the laboratory operation could be interrupted at any time. The system consisted of 41 tube lines, seven robots used in sample preparation, three HS-FF and two HS-FF2000 milling machines, two HS-CF milling and cutting machines, two HUST punching machines, two HB 3000 grinders and three slag preparation systems with one HP-C jaw breaker each, one HP-M pulverizer and one HP-P press. All processes are controlled and monitored by the Prepmaster software. The 'Priority Sample Handling' function controls the handling, so that particularly important samples are processed with priority to ensure fast results.