Info-Tagger® Automatic Slab Tagger Model KE2900

Features

Introduction

Many mills throughout the world are turning to automated equipment to do their identification. Until now, there has been no reliable system to automatically print and apply high quality bar coded tags to hot slabs, thereby reducing man-hours. InfoSight Corporation has introduced the first automated slab tagging machine. The KE2900 uses a CO2 laser to blacken the tag's white surface allowing the reliable non-contact printing of large man-readable numbers, high quality bar codes, and even logos. The KE2900 uses a MIG weld process, which has been automated in the automotive and steel industries for years to attach the tag to 1800° F slabs.

Justification

Automated tagging is the best way to control inventory, reduce man hours and eliminate mixed steel. Based on the average hourly worker with benefits at $50,000 a year, the payback period of the KE2900 is typically 6 months or less. If one hourly worker handles the tagging responsibilities for each turn at the mill, you can eliminate 4 hourly people who were once doing the tagging (1 person per turn x 4 turns.) This is a savings of $200,000 per year in labor alone.

The easiest justification is monetary. However, the KE2900 also provides the ability to reliably identify each slab. Coupled with a standard bar code reader, the KE2900 can check its own work. After the tag has been attached, the reader scans the tag to assure the correct number is on the correct slab. The number of times a human makes an error is hard to quantify, but, every mill manager has seen his share of mixed steel and the millions of dollars of hidden costs and potential liability this means to the company. The value of assuring the correct tag is on the correct slab is immeasurable.

Many man hours are spent taking inventory in the steel yard. A high quality bar code attached directly to the slab can reduce this by at least half. Not only does accurate inventory take less time, but the slab yard can be updated in real time using standard bar code readers with RF links. The location is scanned or entered by the slab hauler, then the slab is scanned; in real time the host system updates the location of each and every slab stored in the yard.

Operation

Typically, the slab comes to a stop on a roll table, where the KE2900 can perform its automated tagging. As the slab is being cut at the torch, the next tag in the stack has been printed with the information received from the host computer. The KE2900 then waits to weld the completed tag to the slab. Once the slab reaches the KE2900, the slab is stopped and the weld head extends to the surface of the slab and the two welds are performed, one at at time. The two sides of the weld head are independent of one another allowing for variations in uneven torch cut surfaces when applied to the flame cut ends. Tagging of the slab side is also possible.

The Tag

The KE2900 utilizes the same technology used in InfoSight's KE2800 Laser Tag Printing machine. The laser marking is done using a high power CO2 laser to blacken the white ceramic surface of the specially coated tag. The tags are produced by InfoSight at their facility in Chillicothe, OH. Starting with a 430 grade stainless steel substrate (.008" thick), one side of the tag is coated with a special laser markable high temperature ceramic coating. The tags are then cut to length and metal pre-forms are attached to each end to ensure reliable welding to the slab surface. Typically, the tags are 3 inches wide, but can be custom designed to 4 inches. InfoSight offers pre-printing services for many customers. Pre-printed tags utilize a sequential number of the customer's choice along with the corresponding standard bar code. These tags can be used to link specific slab database information to each sequential number. The tag number can be scanned using a standard bar code reader and then through radio frequency (RF) links to the company's database, information about the slab is updated and available on a real-time basis. Short, sequential "license plate numbers" and corresponding large rugged bar codes provide robust scanning in the mill environment.