Advances in Robotic Tapping and Plugging of Non-Ferrous Smelting Furnaces: The MIRS Robotic Tapping Machine.

The operation of a metallurgical furnace requires the safe opening and closing of the furnace taphole. In this operation, the molten phase in the furnace is allowed to flow through the tap-hole for transfer to a ladle or another vessel before the tap-hole needs to be safely closed. Until now, non-ferrous tapping operations have largely been performed by an operator.