Tundish Tube Changer Mechanism
Tundish Tube Changer Mechanism
In 2006 IFGL signed an exclusive manufacture & marketing licence with Alcar International Ltd for a new generation of Tundish Tube Changer Systems with high performance Argon Injection Tundish Nozzles.
Alcar & Monocon have now jointly worked on several successful tube changer projects throughout the world including steel plants in India, Romania, Ukraine and Poland. In may cases, Monocon successfully converted the plants Tundish operations from a competitor patented system thereby reducing the plants operation costs making its products more profitable and/or market price competitive.
The Monocon Tube Changer Mechanism (TCM) can be offered in a standardised swing (TCM-H1) or push-in (TCM-H2) design or as a customised configuration to suit the clients application. In addition Monocon has recently developed an unique electric power option to compliment the existing pneumatic and hydraulic power.
Design Features
TCM-H1/H2 Design Features
The TCM-H1 and TCM-H2 Monocon Tube Changer Mechanism (TCM) have the following design features;
- Modular Design available as a "Swing" or "Push-In" configuration.
- Single hydraulic cylinder that is distant from heat source.
- Positive clamping system with lock plates and cam levers.
- No need for cylinder in tundish bay during TCM set up.
- No tooling plate require for set up.
- Increased stability of Mononozzle.
- Easy TCM release from tundish post casting.
- No tooling plate/cylinder required for strip down.
- Mechanisms can be designed to use existing or proposed new refractories.
- Optional dual mounting of existing and new system.
- Customised engineering to suit the clients operations.
Safety Benefit
TCM-H1/H2 Safety Benefits
Some of the user/plant safety benefits of using the Monocon Tube Changer Mechanism (TCM) include
- Improved safety compared to hybrid designs with power cylinders above the heat source.
- Hydraulic Power provides a safe, smooth operation.
- Improved safety as there is less operator activity over the mould required to tube change.
Technical Specification
TCM-H1/H2 Technical Features
The Monocon Tube Changer System (TCS) is available in a range of standard and customisation configurations including;
- Hydraulic, Pneumatic or Electric power options (see chart).
- Optional operator "traffic light" system.
- The TCM-H1 and TCM-H2 machines are also available with an in-built Emergency shut off facility (Model TCM-H1-ES or TCM-H2-ES). Note the only Engineering changes are the actuator design and sequence timings for hydraulic and only servo drive programming for the electric.
Supply Options
Cost Benefit
TCM-H1/H2 Cost Benefits
Some of the user/plant cost benefits of using the Monocon Tube Changer Mechanism (TCM) include
- Reduced steel quality defects and therefore quality costs.
- Reduced maintenance costs compared to hybrid designs with power cylinders above the heat source.
- Simple Cost Effective Design - Fewer moving parts = Fewer things to replace.
- Low cost of maintenance.
- Option to convert only one caster thereby ramp-in introduction (incremental change).
- Reduction of maintenance costs (common bodies, pushers).
- Flexible commercial payment terms: Possible project cost amortization.
