LABORATORY AUTOMATION SYSTEM FOR THE STEEL-INDUSTRY

An automation system for laboratories has been developed in order to meet the increasingly exacting demands in terms of quality improvement, productivity increase and cost saving. This paper describes the method of operation of a laboratory automation system designed for applications in iron and steelmaking plants. The system uses proven individual components, such as pneumatic tube conveyor, automatic preparation units, spectrometers, and combines them by means of belt conveyors and sample changers as well as control software into a fully automated system.