Hands-Free Casting at AMAG Casting GmbH—It Is Possible!

The start-up of the aluminum rolling slab casting process is one of the most critical procedures in terms of casthouse-safety. In many casthouses, it is common practice that the staff works directly at the launder system and on the casting table during the whole start-up, until the steady-state phase is reached. Operators are needed along the launder system (furnace spout control, opening of launder gates, CFF check etc.) and on the casting table (priming of the distribution bag, filling control etc.), but there are a lot of risks, which, upon materializing, can have a tremendous adverse impact on human health: wet starter-blocks, bleed-outs, hang-ups etc. can lead to very harmful situations and therefore it’s best for the operators to start the process from a safe place, away from the launder system and casting table. This paper deals with all needed mechanical and automation systems, as well as casting techniques, to enable the casthouse staff to control the start-up at a safe place.