Movement and position control of oxygen and carbon lances

Lance manipulators are used for oxygen and carbon injection into the furnace as well as for sample taking and temperature measuring in the electric arc furnace by entering and exiting the furnace through the furnace door. The actual penetration depth of the lances in the steel bath, as well as the maximum insertion and retraction positions, ensure proper execution of the position measuring task. A combination of an absolute encoder and inductive proximity sensor correctly identify the lances’ actual positions in the furnace - even with the surrounding harsh conditions in the steel plant.