Aluminium Industry Equipment

October 11, 2019 By Coffy Leave a Comment

Sow Moulds and DCU (Dross Compression Unit)

DCU Dross Compression Unit — Aluminum Dross Press in Operation

DCU Dross Compression Unit for Aluminum Dross Press — DCU (Dross Compression Unit)

DCU — Dross Compression Unit for Aluminum Dross Recovery

A DCU (Dross Compression Unit) is an aluminum industry term for what is more commonly referred to as an aluminum dross press — a hydraulic compression system designed to recover free metal from hot aluminum dross at the point of generation. The terminology differs across markets and operations; the engineering objective is the same: compress hot dross rapidly under controlled hydraulic force, arrest oxidation through integrated cooling, and produce a dense aluminum block with the maximum recoverable metal content.

SMI designs, manufactures and supplies DCU systems as part of its complete aluminum dross press equipment range. SMI DCU systems are the product of over 30 years of casthouse operational experience and continuous engineering development — incorporating design improvements that directly address the geometric and thermal limitations of earlier dross compression unit designs in the industry.

Early dross compression unit designs relied on pan geometries that prioritised volume over seal integrity — a trade-off that limited recovery performance under sustained operational pressure. SMI’s DCU development addressed these geometric limitations directly: tighter mating tolerances between press head and dross pan, improved thermal seal design, and material formulations engineered specifically for the thermiting conditions of hot dross service. The result is measurably better metal recovery and longer component service life under continuous casthouse operation.

SMI Dross Compression Unit — In Operation

The following video demonstrates an SMI DCU installation in active casthouse service. This footage shows an early production configuration — current SMI DCU systems incorporate significant design and material improvements over the configuration shown, reflecting ongoing engineering development based on operational feedback from casthouse installations worldwide.

The video illustrates the core DCU operating cycle: dross pan positioning, hydraulic head descent, compression under controlled pressure, forced cooling activation, and head retraction. The automated cycle requires no manual intervention during pressing, reducing operator exposure to radiant heat and fume while eliminating the skill variability associated with manual dross handling.

DCU System Design — Key Engineering Principles

Press Head and Dross Pan — The Matched Set

The performance of any DCU system is determined primarily by the quality of the match between the press head (cooling head) and the dross pan. The two components must be designed together — the press head profile must seat correctly against the dross pan walls to maintain an effective thermal seal under hydraulic pressure and transfer heat efficiently through the cooling circuit. SMI designs and supplies press heads and dross pans as matched sets for this reason.

Proprietary Material Formulation

SMI press heads and dross pans are manufactured from a proprietary material formulation developed in-house — engineered for thermal shock resistance and dimensional stability under repeated high-temperature cycling. This formulation is the same specification used across SMI’s full range of casthouse consumables, with a 30-year operational record in aluminum casthouses across multiple continents.

Compatibility Across All Dross Types

SMI DCU systems are configured and validated for the full range of industrially relevant dross types — dry, wet, black, white, salt and rotary furnace slag. Each dross type behaves differently under compression; SMI application engineers confirm the correct press head geometry, cooling configuration and dross pan specification for each installation’s specific dross characteristics before order placement.

Upgrade and Retrofit

For operations with existing DCU or dross press installations from any manufacturer, SMI provides upgrade and retrofit supply — replacement press heads, dross pan sets and system improvements — without requiring full system replacement. Where the press frame is serviceable, targeted component upgrades can deliver significant improvements in recovery performance. All third-party press frame adaptations are subject to engineering review before supply confirmation.

Sow Moulds — Overview

SMI also supplies alloy steel sow moulds for aluminum casthouses. Sow moulds are reusable cast steel moulds used to form aluminium ingots and cast molten metal from furnaces and transfer launders. SMI sow moulds are manufactured from proprietary alloy steel formulations engineered for thermal shock resistance and long service life in continuous casthouse operation.

Standard and low-profile designs are available in multiple sizes, with options for air-cooled applications, sow feet, lugs and hooks, fork channels, and application-specific material chemistries. Custom configurations — including logo casting and dimensional modifications — are available on request. For the full sow mould product range and specifications, see the SMI Alloy Steel Sow Mould and Dross Skim Pans and Sow Moulds pages.

Request a Quotation or Technical Consultation

To discuss DCU system requirements, press head and dross pan configuration, or sow mould specifications, please contact SMI’s application engineering team with the following information:

Operation type: primary smelter / secondary smelter / recycling plant
Furnace type and dross generation rate
Dross type: dry / wet / black / white / salt / rotary furnace slag
Existing equipment: press frame, pan set, cooling system if applicable
Sow mould requirements: standard / low-profile / custom dimensions

Contact SMI — DCU and Sow Mould Enquiry →

March 7, 2019 By Sen Liang Leave a Comment

Anode steel claw (Electrolytic claw) | Garra de acero del ánodo (garra electrolítica)

Cast Steel Anode Yoke — Electrolytic Aluminium Production Consumables

The cast steel anode yoke — also referred to as anode steel claw, electrolytic claw, electrolysis claw or anode yoke bracket — is a critical consumable in the electrolytic aluminium production process. It forms the structural and electrical connection between the aluminium guide rod above and the anode carbon block below, transmitting both the mechanical load and the high-amperage direct current required for the electrolytic reduction of aluminium oxide to aluminium metal.

SMI has been supplying cast steel anode yokes to primary aluminium smelters for over 30 years. All configurations are produced to customer specification — covering claw geometry, dimensional drawing, steel grade and electrical conductivity requirements.

Cast steel anode yoke six-claw configuration — new production unit showing arc profile claw arms and central connection body, manufactured to customer dimensional drawing

SMI cast steel anode yoke six-claw unit top view showing cylindrical claw end nodes and central square connection plate — in electrolytic aluminium cell service — Cast steel anode yoke in service — six-claw configuration showing cylindrical claw end nodes and central connection plate, primary aluminium electrolytic cell application

Cast steel anode yoke eight-claw single unit three-quarter view showing full claw arrangement cylindrical claw end nodes and central connection block — low carbon steel Q235 rare earth refined for high-amperage electrolytic aluminium cells — Cast steel anode yoke eight-claw configuration — single unit three-quarter view showing full claw arrangement and cylindrical end nodes, for very high-amperage modern reduction cells

Role of the Anode Yoke in Electrolytic Aluminium Production

In a Hall-Héroult electrolytic cell, the anode assembly consists of an aluminium guide rod connected via the cast steel yoke to a prebaked anode carbon block. The yoke serves three simultaneous functions:

Mechanical support — carrying the weight of the anode carbon block suspended in the electrolytic bath
Electrical conduction — transmitting high-amperage direct current from the aluminium guide rod through the steel yoke into the carbon block
Thermal resistance — withstanding the high-temperature environment of the electrolytic cell during the anode service cycle

The anode carbon block is consumed progressively during electrolysis — typically requiring anode assembly adjustment every 15 to 18 days as the carbon block reduces in height. When the carbon block is consumed to the minimum serviceable dimension, the complete anode assembly is removed and replaced. The used yoke and aluminium guide rod are then returned to the anode assembly workshop for cleaning, inspection and recycling.

Anode Yoke Service Cycle and Recycling

In-Service Cycle

A cast steel anode yoke and its aluminium guide rod typically complete one full service cycle of approximately one month in the electrolysis workshop before removal. During this period, aluminium slag and electrolyte — primarily cryolite (Na₃AlF₆) and aluminium fluoride — accumulate on the yoke surface and in the joints between the steel claw and the carbon block.

Electrolyte and Slag Removal

After removal from the cell, the used anode assembly is transferred to the anode assembly workshop for processing. Aluminium slag and electrolyte deposits on the guide rod and yoke surface are mechanically removed before the components can be recycled or the yoke returned to service.

Phosphorus Iron Ring Removal

During carbon block casting, a phosphorus iron ring is cast around each steel claw to provide the mechanical and electrical interface between the steel yoke and the carbon anode. After carbon block consumption, this phosphorus iron ring remains on the steel claw and must be pressed off before the yoke can be recycled. The removal process uses hydraulic pressing equipment to apply the controlled force required to separate the iron ring from the steel claw without damaging the yoke geometry.

Shot Blast Cleaning and Recycling

Following electrolyte removal and phosphorus iron ring pressing, the steel yoke is shot blast cleaned to remove residual deposits and surface contamination. Cleaned yokes that meet dimensional and structural inspection criteria are returned to the production cycle for reassembly with a new aluminium guide rod and carbon block.

Manufacturing Process

Melting and Refining

SMI produces cast steel anode yokes using electric arc furnace and medium frequency induction furnace melting, with rare earth element additions during the refining stage. Rare earth refining serves two specific functions in anode yoke production:

Gas content control — rare earth additions promote the removal of dissolved gases (hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen) from the molten steel, reducing porosity in the solidified casting and improving the density and structural integrity of the finished yoke
Electrical conductivity assurance — controlled steel chemistry achieved through rare earth refining ensures the finished yoke meets the electrical conductivity specification required for efficient current transmission through the anode assembly. Low carbon steel Q235 has inherently good electrical conductivity relative to higher-alloy grades — rare earth refining preserves and optimises this property by minimising non-metallic inclusions and dissolved gas content

Casting and Dimensional Control

Anode yoke casting requires accurate control of claw geometry — the dimensional relationship between the steel claws determines the alignment of the carbon block in the electrolytic cell and the uniformity of current distribution across the anode face. Pattern equipment and casting practice are maintained to the dimensional tolerances specified in the customer’s drawing.

Heat Treatment and Inspection

Finished castings are heat treated to the specified mechanical property requirements and subjected to dimensional inspection, visual inspection and hardness verification before despatch. Material certification covering chemical composition and mechanical properties is supplied as standard.

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Specification
Material	Low carbon steel Q235 or Q235B — equivalent to BS3100 Grade A1, AS 2074-2003 Grade C2, AISI 1010 / 1008 / 1006
Melting process	Electric arc furnace and medium frequency induction furnace
Refining	Rare earth addition — gas content control and electrical conductivity optimisation
Melt range	1494°C – 1515°C
Size	According to customer’s requirements
Surface finish	Ra 12.5 to Ra 25 — or according to customer’s requirements
Applicable standards	AISI, ASTM, DIN, GB, BS and equivalent
Anode replacement cycle	Typically every 15–18 days per cell position
Yoke service life	Approximately one month per cycle before removal and recycling
Quality documentation	Chemical composition certificate, mechanical property report, dimensional inspection report

Configurations Available

Configuration	Description	Typical Application
Parallel three-claw	Three claws in parallel planar arrangement	Standard medium-capacity electrolytic cells
Four-claw	Four claws in planar arrangement	Higher-capacity cells requiring greater current distribution
Three-dimensional four-claw	Four claws in three-dimensional spatial arrangement	Large-format cells requiring optimised current distribution
Six-claw	Six claws for high-capacity anode assemblies	High-amperage large-format electrolytic cells
Eight-claw	Eight claws for maximum current distribution	Very high-amperage modern reduction cells
Double yoke	Twin yoke configuration for double anode assemblies	Double anode cell configurations
Custom	Any configuration to customer drawing	New cell designs and retrofit requirements

Global Supply

SMI cast steel anode yokes are in active service at primary aluminium smelters across the Middle East, Europe, India, North America and Asia-Pacific, including multiple operations within the world’s highest-output primary aluminium production groups. All supply relationships are subject to confidentiality agreements. Reference accounts are available to qualified buyers under appropriate confidentiality terms.

بالعربية — قيود الأنود الفولاذية المصبوبة لإنتاج الألومنيوم الإلكتروليتي

قيد الأنود الفولاذي المصبوب — المعروف أيضاً بمخلب الأنود الفولاذي أو مخلب التحليل الكهربائي — هو مستهلك أساسي في عملية إنتاج الألومنيوم الإلكتروليتي. يربط قضيب توجيه الألومنيوم العلوي بكتلة الكربون الأنودية السفلية، وينقل التيار المستمر عالي الأمبير اللازم لعملية اختزال أكسيد الألومنيوم إلكتروليتياً. المادة: فولاذ منخفض الكربون Q235 مع إضافات عناصر الأرض النادرة. التكوينات المتاحة: ثلاثة مخالب متوازية، أربعة مخالب، أربعة مخالب ثلاثية الأبعاد، ستة مخالب، ثمانية مخالب، والقيود المزدوجة. جميع المواصفات وفق رسومات العميل. للاستفسار، تواصل مع فريق SMI →

En Español — Yugos de Ánodo de Acero Fundido para Producción de Aluminio Electrolítico

El yugo de ánodo de acero fundido — también denominado garra de acero del ánodo, garra de electrólisis o garra electrolítica — es un consumible esencial en el proceso de producción de aluminio electrolítico. Conecta la varilla guía de aluminio superior con el bloque de carbono anódico inferior, transmitiendo la corriente continua de alta intensidad necesaria para la reducción electrolítica del óxido de aluminio. Material: acero de bajo carbono Q235 con adiciones de tierras raras. Configuraciones disponibles: tres garras paralelas, cuatro garras, cuatro garras tridimensionales, seis garras, ocho garras y yugos dobles. Todas las especificaciones según planos del cliente. Para consultas, contacte al equipo de SMI →

Request a Quotation

To enquire about cast steel anode yoke supply, please provide the following at enquiry stage:

Cell type and amperage — reduction cell design and operating current
Claw configuration — number of claws and spatial arrangement
Dimensional drawing or sketch — claw spacing, yoke body dimensions
Steel grade and electrical conductivity specification
Annual consumption volume — yokes per year per cell line
Current supplier and any known quality or service life issues

SMI will respond with a written technical assessment and commercial proposal. Contact SMI — Anode Steel Yoke Enquiry →

December 24, 2018 By Coffy Leave a Comment

SMI Dross Processing in Aluminum Recycling Operations

Dross Processing in Aluminium Recycling Operations — Pan Design, Press Configuration and Why Results Vary

SMI alloy steel dross pan with multi-hole drain configuration and fork channels for aluminium casthouse dross processing — SMI alloy steel dross pan — multi-hole drain configuration with double counter-sink design, fork channels and large pan mass for maximum thermal cooling contact. Manufactured from proprietary alloy steel formulation for thermal shock resistance and long service life in continuous casthouse operation.

SMI has been supplying dross pans and dross press systems to the aluminium industry for over 30 years. Since 2009, Mr. David Roth has been our head consultant, bringing decades of experience in the global aluminium industry to SMI’s equipment design and customer application work.

All of the major players in aluminium melting and casting have purchased SMI quality castings. The observations in this article are drawn from that operational experience — from installations that worked well and from installations that did not, and from understanding precisely why the difference occurred.

The Dross Pan — Where Recovery Begins

The dross pan is not a passive container. Its design directly determines how much metal is recovered in the pressing cycle that follows. The unique characteristics of SMI’s dross pan design allow for a significant degree of cooling contact between the dross and the cast steel — a function of pan mass, geometry and surface area that cannot be replicated by a simple fabricated vessel.

The drain hole configuration is a specific engineering decision, not a standard feature. The number of holes and the double counter-sink design allows for the maximum drain possible without dross sticking in the holes — a failure mode that renders the drain function ineffective and forces operators to intervene manually. The distance between the skim position and the sow mould is also considered carefully in the pan design, to allow large drain volumes without the pans freezing together during the transfer process.

The cooling cycle for correctly specified dross pans is approximately two hours before the material can be rotated out. The large pan mass is critical to achieving this result — it is what drives the thermal extraction that makes the subsequent pressing cycle effective.

Some earlier pan designs in the industry relied on single-hole drain configurations. A single drain point is inherently prone to blockage given the viscosity and oxide content of hot dross — when it blocks, the entire drain function is lost. The single-chamber pan geometry also limits the cooling and plating action achievable during pressing. SMI’s multi-hole, double counter-sink design addresses both failure modes directly.

Hot aluminium dross being skimmed from furnace into SMI dross pan — casthouse operation — Hot aluminium dross being skimmed from the furnace into the dross pan — time from skimming to pressing is the critical variable in metal recovery

Liquid aluminium visible in freshly skimmed hot dross — immediate pressing required to prevent oxidation loss — Liquid aluminium visible in freshly skimmed hot dross — oxidation begins immediately after skimming

Forklift transfer of loaded SMI dross pan to aluminium dross press — fork channel design accommodates standard casthouse material handling — Forklift transfer of loaded dross pan to the dross press — pan design accommodates standard fork truck specifications for each installation

Press Capacity — The Operational Variable Most Often Underestimated

The most consistent cause of dross press underperformance in the field is not equipment quality — it is insufficient press capacity relative to the dross generation rate of the operation.

The mechanism is straightforward. Hot dross skimmed from the furnace begins oxidising immediately. The cooling and plating action that is the primary benefit of pressing — the conversion of liquid aluminium droplets into a recoverable solid block — requires the dross to reach the press while still at temperature. If a dross pan sits for more than 15 minutes before pressing, this process is already significantly compromised. The dross has cooled, the liquid aluminium has partially oxidised, and the pressing cycle produces a result that does not reflect the capability of the equipment.

When multiple pans queue in front of a single press, the pans at the back of the queue are already cold before they are processed. Operators observe poor results, conclude that pressing is ineffective, and gradually stop using the equipment — not because the press is at fault, but because the system was never configured with adequate capacity for the volume of dross being generated.

The practical implication for system specification is direct: the number of presses required for an operation is determined by the dross generation rate and the 15-minute processing window — not by capital budget alone. An undercapacity installation does not produce partial results; it produces results that appear to confirm that pressing does not work, which is a different and more damaging outcome.

The Pan and Press Head as a Matched System

The most important engineering decision in a dross press installation is the casting design of the pan and the press head as a matched pair. The press head must seat correctly against the pan walls to maintain an effective seal under hydraulic pressure — a poor geometric match allows dross to escape under compression and breaks the thermal contact that drives cooling performance.

SMI designs the pan and press head together, specifically for each customer’s furnace configuration, dross volumes and material handling capabilities — fork truck specifications, transfer distances and pan positioning. The combination of pan design and press head geometry determines the fastest possible cooling rate, the highest achievable drain volume and the most effective plating action for the specific dross type being processed.

The press itself — hydraulics, frame, automation — is in SMI’s view a delivery mechanism for the casting design. A high-quality press delivering poor results is almost always a pan-and-head geometry problem, not a press problem. SMI’s focus is on providing a high-quality, simple, low-maintenance press that fully utilises the recovery capability built into the casting design.

Operational Recommendations

Based on over 30 years of dross press installations across primary smelters, secondary smelters and recycling operations, SMI’s application engineering team consistently observes the following in operations that achieve the best results:

Minimise time from skimming to pressing — the 15-minute window is a real operational constraint, not a guideline. Workflow design should prioritise getting hot dross to the press as the first priority after skimming.
Size press capacity to dross generation rate — calculate the number of pans generated per shift and confirm that press capacity can process them all within the 15-minute window. If the numbers do not support a single press, two presses is the correct specification.
Specify pan and press head as a matched set — do not select the press and the pan independently. The geometric relationship between them is the primary determinant of recovery performance.
Maintain the pan-to-head seal — a worn or damaged mating face on either the pan or the head degrades recovery performance continuously. Replacement scheduling should be based on dimensional inspection, not visible failure.
Account for dross type — different furnace types and alloy practices produce dross with different characteristics. Pan and head geometry should be confirmed for the specific dross type being processed, not selected from a generic catalogue.

SMI Dross Pan Design — Key Features

Design Feature	Function	Failure Mode Addressed
Multi-hole drain configuration	Maximum drain volume during pressing	Single-hole blockage — loss of drain function
Double counter-sink hole design	Prevents dross sticking in drain holes	Hole blockage requiring manual intervention
Large pan mass	Thermal mass drives cooling contact with dross	Insufficient cooling — poor plating action
Pan-to-head matched geometry	Effective seal under hydraulic pressure	Dross escape and thermal seal failure under compression
Furnace-specific dimensioning	Correct volume for furnace dross output	Undersized or oversized pans relative to dross generation
Fork truck compatibility	Safe transfer from furnace to press	Handling delays that extend the pre-press window beyond 15 minutes

Contact SMI — Dross Processing Application Enquiry

To discuss dross pan and press head specification for your operation, or to review an existing installation that is not achieving expected recovery results, please contact SMI’s application engineering team. Please provide your furnace type, dross generation rate per shift, current pan and press configuration, and dross type.

SMI will respond with a written assessment and recommendation. Contact SMI →

March 8, 2018 By Sen Liang Leave a Comment

Cast Iron Alloying Cage

SMI Cast Iron Alloying Cage

Used for magnesium alloying in aluminum cast house furnaces. Mg capacity: 260kg ~ 650 kg
Casting Alloy Cage, Magnesium Alloying Cage For Aluminum Furnace Equipment.

Application:
Using for adding alloy into aluminum cast house furnaces. For example magnesium, manganese, nickel and so on into aluminum furnaces. Attach the cage to a long pole. And the other end can be lifted using a forklift to add the required alloy to the furnace.

Place of Origin: China
Model Number: According to customer’s specifications
Application: Aluminum Industry
Material: Casting Alloy Steel
Capacity available: 260kg ~ 650kg
Got free quote today: inquiry@sinomachine.org

Jaula de aleación de hierro fundido
Se utiliza para la aleación de magnesio en hornos domésticos de fundición de aluminio. Capacidad de Mg: 260 kg ~ 650 kg
Jaula de aleación de fundición, jaula de aleación de magnesio para equipos de hornos de aluminio.

Aplicación:
Se usa para agregar aleación en hornos domésticos de fundición de aluminio. Por ejemplo, magnesio, manganeso, níquel, etc., en hornos de aluminio. Sujeta la jaula a un poste largo. Y el otro extremo se puede levantar con una carretilla elevadora para agregar la aleación requerida al horno.

Lugar de origen: China
Número de modelo: ¡De acuerdo con las especificaciones del cliente!
Aplicación: Industria del aluminio
Material: fundición de acero aleado
Capacidad disponible: 260 kg ~ 650 kg
Obtuve una cotización gratis hoy: inquiry@sinomachine.org

September 10, 2017 By Coffy

Efficiency Aluminum Dross Press Equipment

Aluminum Dross Press Equipment — Design, Manufacture and Supply

SMI is a professional designer and manufacturer of high-efficiency aluminum dross press equipment for aluminum casthouses worldwide. With over 30 years of experience in aluminum recycling equipment design and manufacture, SMI supplies dross press systems, cooling heads, dross pan sets and dross compression units (DCU) to primary smelters, secondary smelters and metal recycling operations across the Middle East, Europe, India, North America and Asia-Pacific.

SMI dross press equipment and casthouse consumables have been supplied to aluminum producers worldwide and have earned consistent recognition for quality and performance in demanding casthouse environments. SMI has recently expanded its dross pan casting line to include the manufacture of DCU (dross compression units), extending the range of dross processing solutions available to customers.

High-Efficiency Aluminum Dross Press for Aluminum Casthouses

SMI aluminum dross press systems are engineered to cool hot dross rapidly under hydraulic compaction, arresting oxidation and metal loss within a single automated pressing cycle. In-house metal recovery typically reaches 20–35%, depending on operational conditions including dross free metal content, time elapsed between skimming and pressing, distance from furnace to press, and insulation conditions during transfer.

The global average in-house aluminum recovery from dross processing is approximately 33% — SMI systems are designed to optimise all controllable variables within each installation to approach or exceed this benchmark. Dross press systems are available in custom configurations matched to your dross type, generation rate and casthouse layout. SMI supplies three standard model sizes — SMI40, SMI60 and SMI80 — processing 250–700 kg of dross per pressing cycle, with custom capacities available on request.

SMI dross press systems are designed to be practical and cost-effective to own and operate — matched to the actual needs and local conditions of each installation, from high-volume primary smelters to smaller melting and casting facilities.

Upgrade and Improve Your Existing Dross Recovery Equipment

SMI provides upgrade and improvement services for existing dross recycling equipment. If your current press installation is underperforming — due to worn cooling heads, degraded dross pans, or outdated control systems — SMI can assess your current configuration and deliver targeted improvements that increase metal recovery without requiring full system replacement.

Upgrades are customised to your current equipment and operational requirements. SMI application engineers review the existing installation, identify the limiting factors in recovery performance, and recommend the most cost-effective improvement scope.

Innovative Cooling Head Technology

The SMI dross press cooling head significantly reduces dross cooling time and fume generation during the pressing cycle. The cooling head incorporates an integrated forced-cooling circuit cast directly into the head body — not machined in afterward — ensuring consistent heat extraction performance and long dimensional stability under repeated thermal cycling.

SMI cooling heads are manufactured from a proprietary material formulation developed by SMI — engineered specifically for thermal shock resistance and dimensional stability under the demanding conditions of continuous casthouse service. This proprietary formulation is the result of over 30 years of material development and operational refinement in aluminum casthouse environments. Cooled and uncooled configurations are available across all geometries, matched to the specific dross pan and press frame of each installation.

SMI provides consulting services on the design and improvement of aluminum dross press systems. SMI aluminum dross pans and sow molds — manufactured from the same proprietary material formulation — deliver consistent quality and durability in high-temperature casthouse service.

Dross before and after processing with SMI equipment — the difference in density, oxide content and recoverable metal content is visible in the compressed aluminum block produced by each pressing cycle.

SMI Aluminum Dross Press Equipment — Full Product Range

SMI is one of the most experienced suppliers of aluminum dross press machines and associated castings for aluminum casthouses. Our product range covers the complete dross management workflow — from furnace to finished aluminum block:

Aluminum Dross Press Systems — SMI40, SMI60, SMI80 and custom configurations
Dross Press Cooling Head — cooled and uncooled variants, proprietary ATM series material
Dross Skim Pans and Sow Molds — pan-and-head matched sets for maximum recovery
Aluminum Dross Cooling Pan — rapid salt cake cooling post-press
Skim Blades and Casthouse Skimming Tools — thermal shock-resistant, engineered for molten aluminum service
Alloy Steel Sow Molds — proprietary alloy steel, 800–2,000 lb aluminum capacity
Ingot Molds, Sow Molds and Dross Pans for Aluminum Scrap Recycling
Aluminum Dross Recycling Systems — complete downstream processing: stirrer, cooler, crusher, screening and dust collection

Engineering Commitment — Every Scale of Operation

SMI is dedicated to providing top-quality aluminum plant equipment engineered to meet the demands of high-temperature casthouse operations. From skimming dross off molten aluminum to pouring it into sows and ingots, every SMI product — dross press, skim blades, dross pan sets, sow molds and ingot molds — is designed to withstand the thermal shocks and stresses of continuous casthouse service.

The combination of SMI’s proprietary thermal shock-resistant material formulation and robust engineering design ensures longevity and dimensional stability across the full service life of each product. SMI solutions are designed to increase aluminum dross recovery yields and reduce material and operating costs — at every scale of operation, from the world’s highest-output primary smelters to smaller facilities where practical, cost-effective equipment makes the difference between viable and unviable dross recovery.

Global Supply and Service

SMI has been supplying aluminum recycling systems and casthouse consumables since 1996, with over 30 years of manufacturing and export experience across legal entities in mainland China, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States. Annual mechanical product output exceeds 4,000 metric tons across more than 1,200 product variants.

SMI dross press equipment and casthouse consumables are in active service at primary aluminum smelters across the Middle East, Europe, India, North America and Asia-Pacific, including multiple operations within the world’s highest-output primary aluminum production groups. All supply relationships are subject to confidentiality agreements. Reference accounts are available to qualified buyers under appropriate confidentiality terms.

Request a Consultation or Quotation

To discuss your dross press equipment requirements — whether a complete new system, an upgrade to existing equipment, or replacement consumable supply — please contact SMI’s application engineering team. We will respond with a written recommendation and commercial proposal.

Contact SMI — Aluminum Dross Press Equipment Enquiry →

January 6, 2017 By Sen Liang Leave a Comment

Crucibles and slag haulers

Crucibles are used for melting ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Crucibles vary in size ranging from holding a couple of ounces of metal to having a couple of thousand pounds. Crucibles can be used in an electrical resistance furnace, gas furnace, removable crucible furnace, tilting furnace, pit furnace, or induction furnace. Crucibles are made of either clay graphite or silicon carbide. SMI supplies various sizes, shapes, and makeups of crucibles, ensuring we have the proper crucible for customer’s process.

SMI Slag crucible for metallurgy industry or Aluminum recycling
Material: Iron casting, Steel Casting, Graphite
Slag pots, Slag crucible, Slag planter are widely used in molten metal like Aluminum, Steel, Zinc, Lead, Magnesium, etc.

SMI customized crucibles and slag haulers are now being produced for the lead industry, increasing their efficiency and lowering their operating cost. Our designs replaced fabricated deigns at a major lead battery recycler.

Technology: 3D engineering design, and FEA analysis, allows for us to look at the existing design, analyze both the physical and thermal stresses and then come up with a better safer product for use in the operation.

SMI Group Quality Management System ensures we deliver every product on-time and on-spec. SMI QMS process has been ISO 9001:2015 certified and includes detailed procedures throughout each step in the order, manufacturing and inspection process. At SMI, we recognize that the product arriving on-time and within specification is critical to the continual smooth operation of customer`s plant.
Free inquiry now: inquiry@sinomachine.org

Los crisoles se utilizan para fundir metales ferrosos y no ferrosos. Los crisoles varían en tamaño, desde contener un par de onzas de metal hasta tener un par de miles de libras. Los crisoles se pueden utilizar en un horno de resistencia eléctrica, un horno de gas, un horno de crisol extraíble, un horno basculante, un horno de pozo o un horno de inducción. Los crisoles están hechos de arcilla, grafito o carburo de silicio. SMI suministra varios tamaños, formas y composiciones de crisoles, lo que garantiza que tengamos el crisol adecuado para el proceso del cliente.

Crisol de escoria SMI para la industria metalúrgica o reciclaje de aluminio
Material: fundición de hierro, fundición de acero, grafito
Las ollas de escoria, el crisol de escoria, la jardinera de escoria son ampliamente utilizadas en metales fundidos como aluminio, acero, zinc, plomo, magnesio, etc.

Los crisoles y transportadores de escoria personalizados de SMI ahora se producen para la industria del plomo, lo que aumenta su eficiencia y reduce sus costos operativos. Nuestros diseños reemplazaron los diseños fabricados en un importante reciclador de baterías de plomo.

3D engineering design of crucibles and slag haulers. Diseño de ingeniería 3D de crisoles y transportadoras de escoria

Tecnología: El diseño de ingeniería 3D y el análisis FEA nos permiten observar el diseño existente, analizar las tensiones físicas y térmicas y luego llegar a un producto mejor y más seguro para su uso en la operación.
El sistema de gestión de calidad del Grupo SMI garantiza que entreguemos todos los productos a tiempo y según las especificaciones. El proceso de SGC de SMI cuenta con la certificación ISO 9001:2015 e incluye procedimientos detallados en cada paso del proceso de pedido, fabricación e inspección. En SMI, reconocemos que el producto que llega a tiempo y dentro de las especificaciones es fundamental para el buen funcionamiento continuo de la planta del cliente.

Consulta gratuita ahora: inquiry@sinomachine.org