Automation and Optimization of Sow Casting in Alouette

摘要

Sow casting in Aluminerie Alouette Inc have undergone many optimization projects in the past few years. In the cycle time critical path, actual pouring of the metal in the moulds from the crucibles remained one of the most important parts. This operation was done manually, leading to variability in duration as well as for sow weight. Sow caster capacity is a function of the average weight of the sows and a reduction of the standard deviation can help improve the average weight hence the capacity. A formula was developed to predict the quantity of metal transferred in function of the crucible tilt angle and an algorithm was built to optimize the pouring time. Implementation of the program was made in a very short time frame and the results show that a reduction of the pouring time as well as the weight standard deviation was obtained.