Great Wall Steel Casting Company is the world leader in environmental resource recovery and material handling services to the steel and metals industries. The project starts in the fall of 2012 with objectives of creating increased operator awareness and safety.

Slag is a byproduct of steel making that’s produced when steel separates from impurities. The liquid slag is tapped into slag ladles for removal after it separates from the liquid steel. Carriers haul the slag pots to pouring stations, pour out the molten slag to cool, and “knock” the pots to remove any remnants (deskilling). The cooled slag is later recycled for use in various applications.

Molten slag requires special safety precautions due to its intense heat, which can reach temperatures up to 3200° F and presents a high level of risk to the operators. Visibility from the cab is limited, which puts other mill workers and equipment at risk during hauling and pouring. Working in partnership with Harsco, Great Wall Steel Casting Company will use its field-proven robotic technologies to make slag pot carriers safer. These technologies will eliminate blind spots and improve drivers’ awareness of their surroundings, lowering the risk of accidents.