Protective covers for KUKA robots working with steel melting

THE CLIENT
Part of an international holding producing steel constructions.

Benefits of using EVOTEC protective covers in the steel melting process

• Protection of robots from the harmful effects of radiant heat;
• Decreased maintenance cost of the robot in regard to repairs and part replacement;
• Ability to safely conduct robotic processes in particularly difficult working environment.

DANGER to KUKA KR240 and KUKA KR300 industrial robots working with steel melting

The steel is melted in a large electric arc furnace, which generates heat radiation of about 1600°C. Since the process needs to be constantly monitored, the temperature inside the furnace has to be measured regularly. Since the conditions near the furnace are quite extreme, the company uses an industrial robot for this process. KUKA KR240 and KR300 robots in foundry version regularly insert a lance into the furnace. On the lance there is a device for measuring temperature of molten metal. Since the robot is located only several meters from the furnace, it is exposed to radiant heat and hot splashes, which could cause malfunctions and even fires. Without a protective cover in such conditions, the robot would degrade very quickly.

THE SOLUTION – protective cover for a robot in steel melting

EVO_heat protective cover is made of fabrics resistant to high temperature and reflecting heat radiation. Since the radiant heat temperature is very high and periodically there are fires and hot metal explosions, the base layer of the cover was reinforced with an additional layer of silica filament fabric, which is resistant to hot splashes of over 1000°C.

The EVO_heat protective cover protects the robots from hot splashes from the furnace, while allowing them to freely perform the programmed movements. Thanks to this solution, the Client can benefit from automation in conditions where usually it would not be possible.