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Tupy orders SinterCast Ladle Tracker® technology

Issued at 2018-07-03



Tupy, the world’s largest cast iron cylinder block and head foundry group, has ordered an automated ladle tracking system from the Swedish process control specialist SinterCast.  Under the terms of the agreement, the SinterCast Ladle Tracker® technology will be installed at Tupy’s production facility in Joinville, Brazil.  The installation is planned to be commissioned during the third quarter of 2018.

Building on more than two years of production experience with the Ladle Tracker technology at the Tupy foundry in Saltillo, Mexico, the Tupy and SinterCast engineers jointly developed a bespoke Ladle Tracking solution for the layout, process flow and production demands in Brazil.  The installation is based on the proven Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, with RFID tags affixed to each ladle and RFID antennae installed at key locations throughout the foundry.  For each ladle, the system compiles process data including temperature, weight and chemistry, together with the time that the ladle arrives at, and departs from, every step in the production process.  The Ladle Tracker database provides a single source of information for process traceability, while the on-line process control ensures that every ladle reports to every step in the process and that each step is completed within the pre-set process limits and the allocated time. 

“The SinterCast Ladle Tracker technology is an important part of our ongoing campaign for growth and to establish Tupy as the cast iron foundry leader for quality, automation, process control and traceability.  The automatic lock-outs ensure that all ladles remain within our process limits while the database improves our process optimisation, troubleshooting and traceability.  Together, these features provide improved efficiency for Tupy, and improved quality and confidence for our customers” said Mr. Fernando de Rizzo, President and C.E.O. of Tupy.  “Our experience with more than two years of Ladle Tracker operation in Mexico has allowed us to identify and implement process improvements and to quantitatively measure the effect of these improvements on our productivity.  We will continue to work together with SinterCast to develop and implement new control measurements and traceability solutions for our processes and our products.  Everything that is measured improves.”

“Our Ladle Tracker technology measures and controls every step of the process on the liquid metal side of the foundry, while our Cast Tracker technology provides traceability and process control on the moulding and coremaking side of the foundry.  Together, these technologies bring Industry 4.0 traceability and connectivity to the foundry industry” said Dr. Steve Dawson, President & CEO of SinterCast.  “Our first installation at Tupy was commissioned eighteen years ago.  Today, the Ladle Tracker order marks our seventh installation at Tupy.  Repeat business is the strongest endorsement of any technology, and this second order for our Ladle Tracker technology is an important affirmation of the benefits and the value of our Tracking Technologies.” 


Source: SinterCast



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