At a billet lifting operation on China’s Yellow Sea, Shandong Port has implemented a new “Knuckle Boom Crane + Lifting Electromagnet” system that created an innovative solution developed in collaboration with industrial magnet manufacturer Zhongke Electric. The system makes a significant advancement in operational efficiency and safety at the port in Qingdao, located north of Shanghai.
Previously, billet lifting operations relied on a traditional method involving cranes and at least three workers who engaged in tasks such as turning around, threading hooks, and attaching and detaching them. This method posed numerous safety hazards due to the frequent and close cooperation required between humans and machines.
To address these issues, port technical engineer Song Ping led a research group that worked with Zhongke Electric engineers to craft the system which allows a single articulated crane operator to complete the entire lifting process without needing additional workers.
The strong electromagnetic force of the lifter attracts the billets directly, eliminating the need for the previous cumbersome steps. This streamlines the operation, significantly increasing efficiency. Video monitoring and wireless connectivity enable the operator to view operational blind spots clearly from the cab, enhancing safety. The new technology results in substantial cost savings, including costs in labor, materials and fuel. Operational efficiency has doubled, with the capability to handle 160 tons per hour compared to the previous 80 tons per hour.
Established 20 years ago and publicly held, Hunan Zhongke Electric has developed into a diversified producer of electromagnetic metallurgy with a dedication to research and development among its staff of 300. It makes an extensive assortment of electromagnetic stirrers for the metals industry, along with induction heating, magnetic separations and industrial workholding products. With a market share of about 80% in China, the company is also an active exporter worldwide.
An electromagnetic stirrer (EMS) is a device that uses magnetic fields to induce currents within molten metal, creating a stirring action without any physical contact. The method is particularly useful in continuous casting of steel, where maintaining the uniformity and cleanliness of molten metal is crucial for producing high-quality products.
The principle behind EMS involves generating a rotating magnetic field through coils placed around or beneath the molten metal. This field interacts with the electrical conductivity of the liquid metal, inducing eddy currents that result in fluid motion within the melt. Such controlled stirring helps achieve more homogeneous chemical composition and temperature distribution throughout the cast product. For more info, see www.zhongkeelectric.com.
