SinterCast launches new Ladle TrackerTM
technology at Annual Shareholder Meeting
- Unique foundry technology for process optimisation, quality control and traceability
- Applicable to grey iron, ductile iron, Compacted Graphite Iron and non-ferrous foundries
- First system in use for high volume series production at Tupy Saltillo foundry, Mexico
Every Ladle, Every Minute
| RFID Tags affixed to ladles | RFID Antennae located at key positions in the foundry |
| For photos, see Press Release PDF | |
(Stockholm, 19 May 2016) - Following successful product development and the commissioning of the first series production installation at the Tupy foundry in Saltillo, Mexico, SinterCast today takes the opportunity of its Annual General Meeting to formally launch its new Ladle TrackerTM technology.
The SinterCast Ladle TrackerTM technology monitors and records the progress of each ladle as it progresses through the foundry. A robust Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag is affixed to each ladle and RFID reader antennae are installed at key locations throughout the foundry, such as furnace tapping, treatment stations and pouring. The Ladle TrackerTM technology documents the time of the ladle at every position; ensures that every ladle reports to every step in the process; and, ensures that each step is completed within the allocated time. Peripheral information can also be incorporated into the process database, including temperatures, ladle weight, wirefeeding results and chemistry. The flexible hardware platform can be configured to suit the layout, process flow, and production volume of any type of foundry, in the cast iron industry or beyond. The main features and process opportunities of the Ladle TrackerTM technology include:
| Process Security: | Real-time process control to ensure that every ladle reports to every station and that time limits are adhered to, including automated lock-outs. |
| Process Optimisation: | Daily, weekly and/or monthly reports of ladle movement to identify where and why ladles drop-out of the process and to identify and resolve process bottlenecks. |
| Process Improvement: | Establish production KPIs to link operator performance directly to productivity and to quantitatively measure process improvements. |
| Process Traceability: | Ladle movement and process data (temperatures, weights, chemistries, wirefeeder data) can be uploaded to the foundry database for process traceability and customer assurance. No information is stored on the RFID Tag. |
| Remote Office Display: | Foundry supervisors and managers can view real-time process data on remote computers via internal network connections. |
"The Ladle TrackerTM technology provides a new opportunity for foundry managers to measure, control and improve process flow and productivity" said Dr Steve Dawson, President & CEO of SinterCast. "Our longstanding focus on Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) process control has led to our company mantra: "you can't control what you can't measure". Now, we are bringing new measurement capability to other areas of the foundry to improve process control, productivity and confidence. We look forward to introducing the Ladle TrackerTM technology, both as a complement to our core CGI technology and as a stand-alone product to provide additional insight and assurance for foundry managers."
For more information:
| Dr. Steve Dawson | |
| President & CEO | |
| SinterCast AB (publ) | |
| Tel: | +46 8 660 7750 |
| e-mail: | steve.dawson@sintercast.com |
SinterCast is the world's leading supplier of process control technology for the reliable high volume production of Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI). With at least 75% higher tensile strength, 45% higher stiffness and approximately double the fatigue strength of conventional grey cast iron and aluminium, CGI allows engine designers to improve performance, fuel economy and durability while reducing engine size, weight, noise and emissions. The SinterCast technology, with 44 installations in 13 countries, is primarily used for the production of petrol and diesel engine cylinder blocks and exhaust components for passenger vehicles, medium-duty and heavy-duty cylinder blocks and heads for commercial vehicles, and industrial power engine components for marine, rail, off-road and stationary engine applications. SinterCast's series production components range from 2 kg to 9 tonnes, all using the same proven process control technology. The SinterCast share is quoted on the Small Cap segment of the Stockholm NASDAQ OMX stock exchange (Stockholmsbörsen: SINT). For more information: http://www.sintercast.com
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