Here at Spokane Industries Steel Foundry Division we have two electric arc furnaces. We utilize one for our steel products and we use the other one for our high chrome iron wear parts. Each furnace has been updated with a computer touch screen which controls the amperage, tap position, and also controls all of the roof movements for charging the furnace. We also can keep track of which heats we have run and the alloys used in each heat along with brick life for each furnace which helps maintain and control furnace life.
Our Steel Foundry Division averages 5 tons of material per heat. We use only recycled steel in the charge, which is loaded from the scrap pile once it is weighed. Our overhead crane transports it down to the furnace area and using an orange peel type bucket it is positioned over the furnace for loading. Once the furnace is loaded and running it takes about ninety minutes from start to finish during which time we monitor temperature and also the chemistry of the melt.
There are three different samples taken by the melters. The first is to check for chemistry and carbon content for the blow down. We blow down at least 30 points - this is to ensure proper cleansing of the metal. The melters then take the chemistry and calculate exactly what alloys are needed to meet our customers specification. After we tap the furnace, another final sample is taken to make sure that every element is within specification.
At Spokane Industries the melters use an ARL 3460 spectrograph to analyze each sample taken in the Steel Foundry. Once the final sample is taken and verified to be within customer specification it is then allowed to be poured.
An overhead crane transfers the metal to the proper pouring station. First the crane picks up the holding ladle from the ladle area and transfers it to the furnace for filling. Once the chemistry sample has been taken it travels to the designated pouring station to wait for verification that everything is within specification before continuing on and pouring.
Our ladle department here at Spokane Industries Steel Foundry is equipped to pour everything from 50Lbs to 11500Lbs. We have many different ladles at our disposal. The side pour ladles range from 500Lb capacity to 1200Lbs and our bottom pours can accommodate 1200Lbs and all the way up to 12000Lbs. We also have both a 3000Lb lip pour and tea pot.
Most of our ladles are prepared using the board lining materiel that in turn provides a cleaner metal with less refractory. It also allows ease of building and faster turnaround times. This method accommodates both steel and iron pours. Each heat poured is monitored for which ladle is used, who poured, and we keep track of temperature to insure that a quality casting is produced.
Our pouring ranges vary by specification and part. The steel can be anywhere from 2850 to 2920 degrees and the high chrome iron range is 2500 to 2560. The temperature is taken throughout the heat so as to maintain quality and consistency.
Andy Kruse, Process Control Engineer states We also utilize a digital scale on our crane to monitor and capture weights which allows us to be more accurate with pour weights and allows us to not have short pours or a lot of end metal. This information also helps the melt side as well. We can maximize the heat size to what has to be poured and reduce end metal. We can also capture melt loss - all of which helps us to conserve power and be more efficient in this ever-changing field we love.
Spokane Industries Steel Foundry Division is a well managed, state of the art facility prepared to meet and exceed our customers specifications and expectations. On-time delivery, fast turn-around and industry leading quality controls are what our customers expect and exactly what we deliver.
Our Steel Foundry Division averages 5 tons of material per heat. We use only recycled steel in the charge, which is loaded from the scrap pile once it is weighed. Our overhead crane transports it down to the furnace area and using an orange peel type bucket it is positioned over the furnace for loading. Once the furnace is loaded and running it takes about ninety minutes from start to finish during which time we monitor temperature and also the chemistry of the melt.
There are three different samples taken by the melters. The first is to check for chemistry and carbon content for the blow down. We blow down at least 30 points - this is to ensure proper cleansing of the metal. The melters then take the chemistry and calculate exactly what alloys are needed to meet our customers specification. After we tap the furnace, another final sample is taken to make sure that every element is within specification.
At Spokane Industries the melters use an ARL 3460 spectrograph to analyze each sample taken in the Steel Foundry. Once the final sample is taken and verified to be within customer specification it is then allowed to be poured.
An overhead crane transfers the metal to the proper pouring station. First the crane picks up the holding ladle from the ladle area and transfers it to the furnace for filling. Once the chemistry sample has been taken it travels to the designated pouring station to wait for verification that everything is within specification before continuing on and pouring.
Our ladle department here at Spokane Industries Steel Foundry is equipped to pour everything from 50Lbs to 11500Lbs. We have many different ladles at our disposal. The side pour ladles range from 500Lb capacity to 1200Lbs and our bottom pours can accommodate 1200Lbs and all the way up to 12000Lbs. We also have both a 3000Lb lip pour and tea pot.
Most of our ladles are prepared using the board lining materiel that in turn provides a cleaner metal with less refractory. It also allows ease of building and faster turnaround times. This method accommodates both steel and iron pours. Each heat poured is monitored for which ladle is used, who poured, and we keep track of temperature to insure that a quality casting is produced.
Our pouring ranges vary by specification and part. The steel can be anywhere from 2850 to 2920 degrees and the high chrome iron range is 2500 to 2560. The temperature is taken throughout the heat so as to maintain quality and consistency.
Andy Kruse, Process Control Engineer states We also utilize a digital scale on our crane to monitor and capture weights which allows us to be more accurate with pour weights and allows us to not have short pours or a lot of end metal. This information also helps the melt side as well. We can maximize the heat size to what has to be poured and reduce end metal. We can also capture melt loss - all of which helps us to conserve power and be more efficient in this ever-changing field we love.
Spokane Industries Steel Foundry Division is a well managed, state of the art facility prepared to meet and exceed our customers specifications and expectations. On-time delivery, fast turn-around and industry leading quality controls are what our customers expect and exactly what we deliver.
About the Author:
My experience in the Steel Foundry profession has shown me that Spokane Industries offers exactly what the Steel Foundry Industry begs for. Timely delivery, high levels of quality control and testing, and of course a Steel Foundry management team that can meet your requirements.
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