Challenge details:

Torpedo ladles are used for transporting hot metal within the steel plant and are parked at multiple locations during operations. Currently, wheel scotching is performed manually using wooden scotch blocks, requiring operators to work in close proximity to moving equipment, hot surfaces, and pinch points, resulting in significant safety risks. The plant operates 51 torpedo ladles across three different sizes, and scotching requirements may vary based on wheel position and track gradient. Currently, each torpedo ladle is secured using one pair of scotch blocks on one wheel and one additional scotch block on another wheel, depending on the track gradient.

We are seeking an automated and remotely operated scotching solution capable of safely positioning and retracting scotch blocks without manual intervention. As torpedoes are parked at multiple locations, fixed ground-mounted systems near the track are not feasible; the solution must be mounted/integrated on the torpedo ladle itself and travel along with the asset. Since no external power source is available, the proposed solution should incorporate a suitable onboard power arrangement as part of the overall design. The solution should operate reliably in harsh steel plant environments (ambient temperatures up to approximately 250°C), withstand exposure to heat, sparks, and dust, be fail-safe during emergency conditions, and either utilize the existing wooden scotch blocks or propose an alternative material with equivalent or improved performance. Solutions requiring modifications to existing equipment or infrastructure may be considered.