How Does Metso's Electric Anode Weighing and Casting Machine Revolutionize Aluminum Production?

Using the Outotec Casting Control system with self-diagnostic and machine intelligence capabilities, the new offering provides improved casting accuracy, performance and ease of use, according to Metso.

Metso has announced the launch of a fully electric Anode Weighing and Casting Machine, which incorporates the latest Outotec Casting Control system with self-diagnostic and machine intelligence capabilities, to provide what the company says is superior casting accuracy, performance and ease of use.

For copper electrolysis, Metso says the copper anodes received from the anode casting shop must be uniform in size and weight, contributing to high performance of the electrorefining process and high-quality cathode production.

“Metso has produced reliable and efficient anode casting machines for more than 50 years,” says Sami Maaniittu, director of Anode Casting at Metso. “The new fully electric Anode Weighing and Casting Machine, combined with the latest casting control system, is a perfect choice when you want the best casting accuracy for the anode casting shop.”

The casting machine uses servo motors that enable precise movement control in the tilting processes. Metso says the process is energy efficient because the servo motors operate with electricity. When the motors are braking, the braking energy is returned to the grid. The servo motors also support the equipment’s safety features. In case of an electrical blackout, Metso’s system has capacitors to feed the necessary energy to the servo drives to level the casting ladles to a horizontal position to prevent copper overflow.

System advantages

One of the advantages of using an electric servo system compared with a hydraulic system is the ease of installation, Metso says, as the operator only needs power and a signal cable for the servo motor. No flammable hydraulic fluids are used, ensuring safety if molten copper spills onto the cables. Additionally, cable replacement is fast and simple, according to the company, which also says the limited number of moving parts reduces the time and effort required for maintenance.

Metso’s casting control system incorporates an easy-to-use interface, with the HMI (human-machine interface) having been upgraded to be more intuitive. Whether the operator is switching from a previous system or experiencing Metso’s new system for the first time, the company says the main functions are easy to use.

One key aspect of the anode casting equipment is its modularity. It is not always cost-effective to upgrade an entire casting shop. The new casting control system works with the old Outotec hydraulic casting machines and as a combined package with Metso’s latest casting machine.

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