The casting area is both heavy and hot, with molds and castings needing to be pulled out and set in on the furnace's own rhythm. Manual handling is slow, forces workers close to the heat source, and puts them at real risk of burns or back injury.

FullSharp installs a pneumatic manipulator with a gripping head that holds the workpiece firmly, while the operator stands at the handle end, well clear of the hot zone. Compressed air carries the full weight of the load, so the operator's job becomes guidance only, placing the workpiece exactly where the production rhythm calls for it.

Pneumatic Manipulator for a Metal Foundry

A pneumatic manipulator working at the mold casting area of a metal plant.

Equipment Installed

  • Pneumatic manipulator arm: an air cylinder carries the load, so only a small effort is needed to move the workpiece.
  • Workpiece gripping head: jaws shaped to the mold and workpiece, holding firmly through turning and tilting.
  • Working-end swivel joint: rotates the workpiece on its axis to set it into the mold or conveyor at the right orientation.
  • Valve and air filter assembly: keeps pressure steady, so the load does not drop when air flow varies.

Benefits for the Plant

Safety in the heat zone

The operator stands at the handle, without reaching close to the hot mold.

Keeps production on rhythm

Each pick-and-place cycle is fast and consistent, independent of an operator's strength.

Fewer back injuries

Compressed air carries the load, so workers no longer strain to lift through a full shift.

Actual Installation Photos

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Click a photo to enlarge. A 36-photo gallery from the actual site.

Suitable Applications

  • Foundries and metal casting plants
  • Hot stamping and forging shops
  • Press mold-change stations
  • Heavy machined-part fabrication

Related Products and Projects

Consulting for Your Plant

FullSharp weighs the heaviest workpiece, measures the travel distance from the furnace to the set-down point, and records the ambient temperature to select the gripping head material. Our engineers also calculate the reach and anchor point for the manipulator column. Contact FullSharp to schedule a plant survey.