... If I had a hammer ...

Abstract

A break out device has been developed to enter an aluminium melting and holding furnace at temperatures of 600-900 DEGREE C and with its hammer attachment break off the slag which builds up inside the furnace. The arm and hammer are electrohydraulically controlled and the device is manoevrable in the limited space in front of the furnace. The hammer is able to reach all the corners of the furnace so no manual slag chipping is necessary. (H.C.B.)