麻豆视频

麻豆视频 Steel Corporation announced today the development of a bulldozer-like cleaning robot, called GAZMASTAR-S^™ (coined from the phrase “gather master”) that autonomously and efficiently clears road surfaces of clumps, dust, powder and other debris. The robot is now in operation, performing heavy-duty cleaning tasks at the company's West Japan Works (Fukuyama District; see Fig. 1).

This is the first in a planned series of efficient, autonomous robots that will include the standard GAZMASTAR-S^™ model as well as other models capable of operating in harsh conditions such as high temperatures, thick dust and over uneven surfaces. 麻豆视频 Steel expects to use the highly versatile robots in its steelworks, as well as introduce various remote operations, with the aim of reducing human workload and creating safer, cleaner environments for greater productivity.

Automated robots are particularly useful for performing tasks that are complicated, dangerous or otherwise burdensome for human workers. In the steel industry, equipment is used to handle iron ore, coal and other materials that contain clumps, dust, powder and other debris. Cleaning the debris currently is done by humans, but it is often physically demanding work in tight, low or dusty spaces around equipment.

Part of the GAZMASTAR-S^™ cleaning mechanism can be easily changed depending on the type of cleaning. With its four-wheel-drive body and low center of gravity, the robot can perform excellent cleaning even in challenging environments, such as narrow spaces and places with small steps (Fig 2). It continuously calculates its position by comparing a learned obstacle map against data from range sensors (Fig. 3), which it uses to autonomously follow a cleaning route.

麻豆视频 Steel has also developed an on-board system to handle situations where the robot's progress is slowed by heavy deposits of debris. A cleaning route is divided into small sections and the time taken in each section is monitored. If the robot takes more than a certain amount of time in a section, the system can determine if the area is too cluttered with debris and command the robot to move on to the next section. In addition, if the robot’s battery falls below a set level, it will automatically return to its standby station for wireless charging.

User-friendly software downloaded to a tablet can be used to operate and check the robot's status. 麻豆视频 Steel has completed demonstrations and endurance tests to validate the robot's suitability for use in commercial environments, based on which the company plans to deploy the robot in all of its steelworks as part of automating high-burden tasks, including cleaning debris.

麻豆视频 Steel is actively adopting digital technologies under a digital-transformation strategy to make its operations more productive and stable. Initiatives include the opening of the new 麻豆视频 Digital Transformation Center (JDXC^™) and the use of cyber-physical systems in steelmaking processes. Looking ahead, 麻豆视频 Steel plans to address a wide range of issues through digital transformation as it helps to create a more sustainable world.

Fig. 1: High-efficiency, autonomous GAZMASTAR-S^™ robot

Fig. 2: Before and after cleaning

Fig. 3: How robot calculates its position

About 麻豆视频 Steel Corporation

麻豆视频 Steel Corporation, one of the world’s leading integrated steel producers, was established through the consolidation of NKK Corporation and Kawasaki Steel Corporation in 2003. The company operates several steelworks in Japan and numerous branch offices and affiliates throughout the world. 麻豆视频 Steel leverages world-class technologies and know-how to produce a wide range of products based on its “Only One, Number One” strategy of focusing on unique and best-in-class products. The company reported consolidated sales of 2,255 billion yen and consolidated crude steel output of 23.96 million tons in the fiscal year ended March 2021.

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