Tundish Tube Changers

In 2006 IFGL signed an exclusive manufacture & marketing licence with Alcar International Ltd for a new generation of Tundish Tube Changer Systems with high performance Argon Injection Tundish Nozzles.

Alcar & Monocon have now jointly worked on several successful tube changer projects throughout the world including steel plants in India, Romania, Ukraine and Poland. In may cases, Monocon successfully converted the plants Tundish operations from a competitor patented system thereby reducing the plants operation costs making its products more profitable and/or market price competitive.

The Monocon Tube Changer Mechanism (TCM) can be offered in a standardised swing (TCM-H1) or push-in (TCM-H2) design or as a customised configuration to suit the clients application. In addition Monocon has recently developed an unique electric power option to compliment the existing pneumatic and hydraulic power.

TCM-H1 Design Features

TCM-H1/H2 Design Features

The TCM-H1 and TCM-H2 Monocon Tube Changer Mechanism (TCM) have the following design features;

Modular Design available as a "Swing" or "Push-In" configuration.
Single hydraulic cylinder that is distant from heat source.
Positive clamping system with lock plates and cam levers.
No need for cylinder in tundish bay during TCM set up.
No tooling plate require for set up.
Increased stability of Mononozzle.
Easy TCM release from tundish post casting.
No tooling plate/cylinder required for strip down.
Mechanisms can be designed to use existing or proposed new refractories.
Optional dual mounting of existing and new system.
Customised engineering to suit the clients operations.

TCM Cost Benefits

TCM-H1/H2 Cost Benefits

Some of the user/plant cost benefits of using the Monocon Tube Changer Mechanism (TCM) include

Reduced steel quality defects and therefore quality costs.
Reduced maintenance costs compared to hybrid designs with power cylinders above the heat source.
Simple Cost Effective Design - Fewer moving parts = Fewer things to replace.
Low cost of maintenance.
Option to convert only one caster thereby ramp-in introduction (incremental change).
Reduction of maintenance costs (common bodies, pushers).
Flexible commercial payment terms: Possible project cost amortization.

TCM Operational Benefits

TCM-H1/H2 Operational Benefits

Some of the user/plant operational benefits of using the Monocon Tube Changer Mechanism (TCM) include

Operator friendly interface: “traffic light” system option with auto SES change.
Operational ease of conversion from incumbent TCM.
Refractory push edge SES.
The modular design means that there is less distortion in the assembly and it is inherently easier to repair.
Symmetrical Layout - Not Handed, Fewer Spares.
Single Cylinder - Compact, Small Footprint.
Hydraulic Power - Smooth Operation.
More easily automated than traditional incumbent systems, therefore helping to future-proof the plant.

TCM Technical Features

TCM-H1/H2 Technical Features

The Monocon Tube Changer System (TCS) is available in a range of standard and customisation configurations including;

Hydraulic, Pneumatic or Electric power options (see chart).
Optional operator “traffic light” system.
The TCM–H1 and TCM-H2 machines are also available with an in-built Emergency shut off facility (Model TCM–H1–ES or TCM-H2-ES). Note the only Engineering changes are the actuator design and sequence timings for hydraulic and only servo drive programming for the electric.

Tundish Tube Changer Mechanism