Two Unmanned Grab Cranes for Baowu Shaogang’s Rotary Hearth Furnace
Two grab cranes use 3D scanning and automatic material recognition, with positioning and repeatability within 5 mm for the furnace project.

The project and its handling task.
Baowu Shaogang selected two unmanned grab cranes for its 250,000-tonne rotary hearth furnace project. The cranes were customized around the material-handling process and the plant’s automation requirements.
The systems combine 3D scanning, automatic positioning, recognition, obstacle avoidance and grabbing. Operating personnel can supervise from an office more than 1,000 m away, reducing the need to remain in the dusty handling environment.
Automate grab movements in a dusty steelmaking process.
Frequent material handling at a rotary hearth furnace exposes operators to dust and requires accurate repeat positions.
Scan the pickup area and determine the grab target.
Travel to the selected destination while checking obstacles and position.
Confirm discharge and record the completed cycle before the next task.
Confirm discharge and record the completed cycle before the next task.

The equipment behind this project.
The systems combine 3D scanning, automatic positioning, recognition, obstacle avoidance and grabbing. Operating personnel can supervise from an office more than 1,000 m away, reducing the need to remain in the dusty handling environment.
- Quantity2 unmanned grab cranes
- Project context250,000-tonne rotary hearth furnace project
- Positioning and repeatabilityWithin 5 mm
- Automatic functions3D scanning, recognition, avoidance and grabbing
- Remote supervisionOperating office more than 1,000 m away
What to compare with your own project.
Match the project configuration to your load, layout and operating sequence before selecting a crane package.
| Design area | This project configuration | Define for your site |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | 2 unmanned grab cranes | Material size and pickup variability. Define the required operating envelope and acceptance checks in your technical brief. |
| Project context | 250,000-tonne rotary hearth furnace project | Furnace bay layout. Define the required operating envelope and acceptance checks in your technical brief. |
| Positioning and repeatability | Within 5 mm | Required cycle time and positioning. Define the required operating envelope and acceptance checks in your technical brief. |
| Automatic functions | 3D scanning, recognition, avoidance and grabbing | Scanning, avoidance and recovery rules. Define the required operating envelope and acceptance checks in your technical brief. |
| Remote supervision | Operating office more than 1,000 m away | Material size and pickup variability. Define the required operating envelope and acceptance checks in your technical brief. |
See the equipment and working environment.
Explore the equipment arrangement and handling environment.




In operation.
The equipment entered use at Shaogang and supported remote-supervised material handling. Its positioning and automatic pickup functions connect the crane cycle to the rotary hearth furnace process.
For a similar project, build the grab crane into the process automation sequence. Use 3D scanning, load recognition, route planning and obstacle avoidance for pickup and discharge, with remote supervision and a safe recovery mode.
Prepare a comparable crane quotation.
Share the load schedule and site drawings. Build the grab crane into the process automation sequence. Use 3D scanning, load recognition, route planning and obstacle avoidance for pickup and discharge, with remote supervision and a safe recovery mode.
We can quote a single crane or a coordinated fleet. The offer sets out the destination standards, required certificates and inspection records, manufacturing programme after drawing approval, shipment, installation support and agreed acceptance scope.
- Material size and pickup variability
- Furnace bay layout
- Required cycle time and positioning
- Scanning, avoidance and recovery rules
- Destination standards, quantity and inspection documentation
- Manufacturing programme, shipment, commissioning, training and spares
Questions before specifying a similar crane.
Can the same project crane be supplied for my site?
We customize the capacity, span, lifting height, attachment and controls to the load, building or yard layout and operating cycle. Material size and pickup variability is one of the inputs to review before final equipment selection.
How are certification, quantity and lead time agreed?
Single-crane and fleet enquiries are welcome. Define the destination and required standards in the enquiry. The project offer confirms certification and inspection documents, the quantity, drawing approval and manufacturing schedule, with the shipping and site-service boundaries.
What should acceptance and after-sales support include?
Agree the inspection plan, representative load and functional tests, operator training, maintenance instructions, spare-parts scope and fault-recovery procedures. For this application, include scanning, avoidance and recovery rules in the technical review.
Planning a similar lifting project?
Send your layout, load and operating requirements. We can develop a customized crane package and delivery scope for your site.


