Mobile Manipulator, Tow Tractor, Furnace Clamp

A metal melting area has several furnaces spaced apart, and hot items must be moved from the furnace to a pouring or cooling spot. Workers using hand tongs have to step right up to the furnace mouth and hold the strain the whole way, making it easy to lose balance. Fixed equipment can only serve one furnace.

FullSharp supplies a manipulator on a mobile base with an electric tow tractor and a long clamp tool. The electric tractor moves the whole unit between furnaces without workers having to push. The long clamp tool keeps distance from the heat zone, while the manipulator carries the load so hands only guide direction.

Mobile-Base Manipulator with Electric Tow Tractor and Long Clamp Tool for Furnaces

Mobile-base manipulator with electric tow tractor and long clamp tool used in a metal melting furnace area.

Equipment Installed

Pneumatic manipulator: carries the weight of the hot item, letting the operator use only light force to raise, lower, and steer it.
Mobile base and electric tow tractor: an electric motor drives the wheels, moving the whole unit between furnaces without manual pushing.
Long clamp tool: extends the clamping point far from the machine body so operators can stand outside the furnace mouth's heat radiation zone.
Shape-matched clamp jaws: the jaws are shaped to match the crucible or workpiece, so items don't spin loose while being moved.
Wheel locks: lock the base's casters before gripping so the whole unit stays still during operation.

Benefits for Your Facility

Keeps distance from the furnace

The long clamp tool allows remote operation, reducing burns and fatigue from heat radiation.

Serves multiple furnaces

The electric tractor moves the machine between furnaces, so one unit serves the whole area.

Items stay secure

Jaws shaped to the item and the manipulator's stable support keep it secure throughout the move.

Actual Installation Photos

Mobile-Base Manipulator with Electric Tow Tractor and Long Clamp Tool for Furnaces - photo 1

Mobile-Base Manipulator with Electric Tow Tractor and Long Clamp Tool for Furnaces - photo 2

Mobile-Base Manipulator with Electric Tow Tractor and Long Clamp Tool for Furnaces - photo 3

Mobile-Base Manipulator with Electric Tow Tractor and Long Clamp Tool for Furnaces - photo 4

Mobile-Base Manipulator with Electric Tow Tractor and Long Clamp Tool for Furnaces - photo 5

Mobile-Base Manipulator with Electric Tow Tractor and Long Clamp Tool for Furnaces - photo 6

Mobile-Base Manipulator with Electric Tow Tractor and Long Clamp Tool for Furnaces - photo 7

Click a photo to enlarge. Album of 7 photos taken on site.

Suitable Applications

Metal melting and pouring areas
Foundries and metallurgical plants
Hot workpiece removal and cooling steps
Heat treatment areas for mechanical parts

Installation Consultation for Your Facility

FullSharp surveys the furnace layout, the work area temperature, and the weight and shape of the item to grip, to calculate the tool length and tow tractor configuration. We select heat-resistant materials for the jaws and test-run the system at your plant. Contact FullSharp to schedule a site survey.