Mechanization of slab scarfing

When developing mechanized flame scarfing both of hot metal in the production line and cold metal in the storage area it is necessary to remember that mechanization of spot scarfing of hot metal along with the main production line is not feasible in the near future. Machines for spot scarfing of cold and hot metal are cheaper, can be installed in a vacant area of the shop, and require appreciably less oxygen than assemblies for scarfing hot metal in the production line. Speeding up the introduction of assemblies for machine scarfing of cold slabs and blooms along with the introduction of flame-scarfing machines in the hot-rolling production line will make it possible to elicit reliable machine designs, to work out the technology, and, after this, to carry out large-scale mechnization and automation of the process. When developing schemes for spot scarfing we must bear in mind that after processing hot metal in the production line, defects will remain which have a greater depth than the thickness of the removed layer. The number, size, and character of the defects that are left on the slab are different. Therefore, spot scarfing will be accomplished under different technological conditions which require individual solutions, and this creates great difficulties in solving the problem of mechanization and automation of the process. We must pay parricular attention to mechanization of auxiliary operations: inspection, marking of defects, delivery, turning, and handling of metal, in order to minimize the number of servicing personnel. When evolving schemes for assemblies it is necessary to take into account the technology of the process of a spot flame-scarfing machine. Considerble attention must be devoted to the problems of ventilation and collection and disposal of slag.