14 visually, and this can be lost if the communication is limited to the telephone or emails. I’ve taken a video tour of a foundry in the USA, and was able to identify specific requirements that could then be incorporated into the final ladle design. Travelling several thousand miles to see the working environment was not practical for a single small ladle and the various communications we’d previously held with the customer while obviously helpful, didn’t give me the same information as actually seeing their operation, via Teams. SAFETY Equipment obviously has to be safe to use and there should be no impediment to either an operator using the ladle or the performance of that ladle, when in operation. However, without being told what the foundry’s specific safety (or other) requirements are, we cannot possible meet them. There are so many details to understanding what is required for your specific ladle in your specific foundry layout. We need to make sure that the ladle doesn’t present a challenge to the operator. That it is equipment that the operator will work with and not feel that he has to work against to do his job. This may mean adding something simple such as a bigger lifting hook (eye), or a different shaped pouring spout or a different sized hand wheel. None of these are major issues, provided they are incorporated into the build. PERFORMANCE We also need to know about the lining requirements and communicate with your chosen refractory supplier where necessary. The importance of a good lining cannot be over stated—just ask any operator who has taken a full day to remove an old lining with an air chisel! And ask any owner the cost of having a ladle out of production getting it lined. Important considerations: • Does the ladle require a detachable base section or a push out bottom? • How will this assist the lining operation?’ • Does the shell need to be a particular size to match the lining recommended? • Are you looking at using a precast lining? • Does the ladle need any specific features, such as steadying handles? It has not been uncommon to supply a ladle to a foundry and then to find out that they have adapted it to suit their specific requirements. All things that, had we been told, we would have been happy to include at the design stage. Maintenance requirements also need to be considered during the life time of the ladle. If a ladle is out of production due to maintence then this down time needs to be minimized, as the days of a foundry having fleets of spare ladles are long gone. Therefore, anything that can be done to minimize the ladle downtime, either for maintenance or re-lining should be factored into the ladle design. VALUE Similarly, the value of the ladle should be considered over its complete life cycle. Not just a balance between initial purchase and the production usage. The ladle will last for many years but
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDI4Njg=