Next generation ‘hands-free’ casting – ready for Industry 4.0

摘要

The development of hands-free automatic DC casting started at Novelis PAE more than 40 years ago, in the 1970s. It was mainly driven by safety needs such as keeping the operator away from the pit and protecting him from various risks, in particular from the risk of explosion. Novelis PAE is now taking a further step with Autopak Metal Drive System. In the 1980s, major aluminium plants in Europe, such as Aluminium Dunkerque, Constellium in Neuf Brisach or Hydro in NeuB and in Hamburg implemented Novelis PAE’s Autopak system, thus enabling safe, handsfree casting. This was the origin of the first automatic metal level control system for DC casting. Novelis PAE is now taking a further step with Autopak Metal Drive System. This is a flexible and reliable system based on new, fully digital capacitance sensors and actuators, dedicated to revamping and to new automation projects, paving the way to an Industry 4.0 equipment.