THE SME TEAM IS CURRENTLY TRAVELLING IN INDIA

Hover to zoom
Dros Gripper Arm
GRIPPER ARM TO REMOVE DROSS FROM SURFACE OF COOLING MOLTEN ALUMINIUM
Ref no. DGA
The Dross Gripper Arm (ceramic pedal not shown) is used in the aluminium industry to remove the dross formed on the surface of the molten aluminium as it is cooled on the ingot mould cooling conveyor.
The dross gripper arm is mounted on a robot arm which moves at the same longitudinal speed as the cooling conveyor whilst it removes the dross in the lateral direction inside the ingot moulds. If the cooling conveyor and robot do not move at the same longitudinal direction whilst removing the dross, a collision will occur between the arm and ingot mould.
The main function of the arm is to prevent a catastrophic mechanical failure in the event of a collision. This will reduce the mean time to repair as the arm can easily be reassembled to its functional state.
When a collision occurs, the arm disengages from the mounting base and hangs freely, meaning no longitudinal force can be exerted onto the arm. The breakdown that occurred can easily be resolved by releasing the spring which exerts a compressive force such to keep the pins aligned. Once aligned the spring must be compressed to apply a preset compressive force to the arm such to positively locate the arm on the mounting pins. It is important to compress the spring only by the preset distance as too big a force on the arm will prevent the arm from disengaging, causing mechanical failure.
SME can easily adapt this technology to any other moving equipment where frequent collisions occur between moving equipment.

Specifications
Reference No: DGA |
|
Material | Stainless Steel 304 |
Weight Approximately | 5kg |
Approximate Size | 460mm L x 110mm W x 165mm H |
Base Mounting | Fasteners/Welded |
Locating pins on base | Stainless, self-locating, cone-shaped |