Bricklaying robot for installation ofrefractory material in grate-kiln systems

Abstract: LKAB is Europe’s biggest producer of iron pellets and is constantly trying to improvetheir production methods and maintenance work to reduce downtime and increasethe production volume. A critical step of the pellets production is the reduction stepinvolving the roterary oven which is one of the most prone steps in the productioncycle of needing maintenance work. The maintenance work involves replacing therefractory bricks that is insulating the steel frame of the oven. The lining consist ofapproximately 40,000 individual bricks that is manually placed using a installation jig. To reduce downtime, increase the quality of the installed lining and lower theweight requirements of the refractory brick LKAB wants to evaluate the possibility ofimplementing an autonomous brick laying robot to replace today’s manual installationmethod. The main objective of the thesis is to determine if such an robot is possibleto design with the technology of today in the field of robotics and automation, if thatis the case also present a possible concept. The study followed Ulrich & Eppingers product development method to presenta possible concept researching the existing market and taking inspiration of similarproducts to ensure the functionality of the presented concept. Together with theconcept a suggestion of future work is presented to continue the development fromconcept to physical product.