voestalpine Stahl GmbH to use robots from Primetals Technologies in its converter steel works

voestalpine Stahl GmbH, an Austrian steel producer, has ordered three robot systems from Primetals Technologies. They will manipulate the probes in the three LD (BOF) converters in the Linz steel works. Work that was previously performed manually will in future be handled by these robots, which means that employees will no longer have work in the hazardous area. The robot systems are equipped with a measuring probe magazine designed as an exchangeable container. This simplifies the handling of the probes and also increases reliability and availability. The robots also handle tasks such as cleaning the contact bar, monitoring the probe holder and performing correcting movements, which reduce the requirement for maintenance. The systems are scheduled to be brought into operation one by one at intervals of three months from the middle of 2015. The Linz plant already uses a number of robots from Primetals Technologies on the pouring platforms of the continuous casters.