23106 – Dynamic Additive Dosing Line

Alloy Additive Dosing Line for Cast Iron

The alloy additive dosing line has been designed for the automatic and precise portioning of additives used to improve cast iron properties. With the use of a belt conveyor system, the additives are transported directly to the foundry ladles, which streamlines the entire process and increases its repeatability.

Design and equipment

The supporting structure of the line is built as a robust frame made of rolled steel sections, on which 6 additive hoppers with capacities of 1.5 m³ and 3.5 m³ have been installed. Under each hopper, a dosing system is fitted, enabling the preparation of additive portions ranging from 0.25 to 30 kg. The system allows the additives to be discharged onto two independent conveyor lines – ST1 and ST2 – ending with two docking stations for foundry ladles.

The supporting structure is also equipped with a travelling chain hoist with a lifting capacity of 2000 kg, allowing convenient refilling of additives into each hopper. The minimum additive level is indicated on the operator panel, ensuring continuous operation of the installation.

Control and operation

The operator programs the additive recipe – including the type and quantity of additives – according to the current production schedule, and also selects the conveyor line on which the discharge is to take place. This solution provides high flexibility and allows the system to be efficiently adapted to the plant’s current production needs.

How it works

The operating cycle of the line follows the scheme below:

• Weighing the additive batch into weighing hoppers according to the defined dosing parameters.
• For a batch intended for the ST1 station, the weighing system moves to the ST1 side of the machine.
• Dosing for the ST2 station does not require movement of the weighing system, as the station is located directly beneath the material feeders.
• Dosing the additives onto the collecting conveyor belt.
• Transporting the material to the elevating conveyor, where the additives wait for the arrival of a forklift truck carrying the ladle.
• Dosing the material into the ladle, triggered by a control box located in the forklift operator’s cabin.
• Removing the ladle and pouring molten iron over the additives.

Customer benefits

• Fully automated dosing cycle.
• Elimination of manual operations related to weighing and pouring additives into hot foundry ladles.
• Full control over the quantity of additives portioned from each hopper.
• Automatic monitoring of every stage of the dosing cycle.
• Elimination of operator involvement in the hazardous zone.
• Reduction of the dosing cycle time to 4 minutes.