Alcoa invests in Automated Robotic Furnace Tending equipment at its Deschambault smelter

Alcoa will use new robotic technology at its Deschambault smelter to improve health and safety by reducing interaction with mobile equipment and lowering risks associated with explosions and molten metal spills.

The Alcoa Deschambault smelter will be the first plant in the world with such advanced equipment.

In 2016, Alcoa's Center of Excellence for Aluminum Smelters (CoE), located at the Deschambault Smelter in Canada, took a closer look at ways to reduce health and safety risks for workers. This led to a collaboration with Quebec equipment manufacturers Dynamic Concept and EPIQ Machinery to develop an Automated Robotic Furnace Tending machine (ARFT), which will automate metal siphoning activities, as well as furnace tending.

After years of research and development, the project is entering a test phase. The Minister of the Economy, Innovation and Energy announced the Quebec government's support of nearly CAD$2 million, on September 19. Alcoa will invest approximately CAD$ 5,78 million (US$ 4.28 million) in the ARFT project, and the equipment will be commissioned in 2025.

 “I would like to thank the Québec government for supporting this collaborative project between Alcoa and its partners, which will help accelerate the 4.0 transformation of aluminum smelters in Quebec and elsewhere, said Louis Langlois, Senior Vice President, Treasurer of Alcoa Corporation and President of Alcoa Canada. “This innovation will bolster the competitiveness of Quebec's primary aluminum sector, as well as the entire ecosystem revolving around it.“

Gaby Poirier, Alcoa’s Vice President of Operations for North America, noted the technology will enhance safety.

"This is a truly unique project, which was made possible thanks to the collaboration with our suppliers, Dynamic Concept and EPIQ Machinery,” Poirier said. “The implementation of the technology will improve the health and safety of our employees, which is our utmost priority."

Due to the precision of the robotic equipment, the smelter anticipates reduced refractory maintenance as well as improvement in metal quality, in particular because of more effective skimming and a camera system integrated into the equipment. Additionally, the ARFT will improve cycle time efficiency for metal casting preparation.

"The success of this new technology depends on the creativity, ingenuity and teamwork of our people and partners. We have all the ingredients gathered at our plant to propel this innovation, which will make our workplace safer and more productive," said Pascal Rochette, General Manager of Alcoa - Aluminerie de Deschambault.