Driving monitoring system: The intelligent safety manager in the workshop

In the high-temperature workshop of the steel plant, a huge hoist filled with molten steel at 1600℃ is moving in mid-air. Suddenly, the monitoring screen flashed red light - the system instantly detected an anomaly in the orbit! In less than a second, it automatically activated the emergency measures: the intelligent shock absorbers started to work, the double safety brakes locked up, and the hoist steadily stopped outside the danger zone. After the inspection, it was found that the track was misaligned by nearly 3 centimeters, but not a single drop of molten steel had spilled out. ​This invisible intelligent system is precisely the invisible guardian of modern factories. ​

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I. Three Major Challenges Faced by Driving

1.Hidden crises in high temperatures​

• The heat waves radiated by molten steel ladles can cause electronic devices to malfunction (just like a mobile phone will freeze when placed close to a stove).
• The track expands and deforms due to heat, which may cause the wheels to derail (just as the railway track gets longer in summer).

2.The problem of swinging the lifted object​

• When heavy objects are lifted, they sway like a pendulum, which can easily damage equipment
• When lifting delicate items such as glass, even slight shaking can cause them to break

3.The traffic congestion in the workshop​

• Multiple cranes run on the same track, sometimes with a distance of less than 2 meters between them
• Workers may mistakenly enter dangerous areas when moving around

Ii. How do intelligent Systems Safeguard Security

▶ ​Anti-sway black technology​

• ​Intelligent balancing techniqueThe system is like an experienced master craftsman, calculating the swing trend of the lifted object in real time
• ​Electromagnetic shock absorberIt generates a reverse pulling force within 0.3 seconds (faster than a person blinking), turning the shaking steel ladle into a "good baby" in an instant.
• Actual effectThe swing amplitude of a 90-ton ladle in a certain steel plant has dropped from half a meter to less than the size of a fist

▶ ​Rail health monitoring​

• ​Laser scanning eyeEvery meter walked, it is scanned 50 times, which is more detailed than the inspection by an experienced master
• ​Thermal expansion and contraction warningAutomatically calculate the impact of temperature changes on the track and make adjustments in advance
• Actual effectThe track faults in the Shougang workshop have been reduced by 70%

▶ ​Intelligent navigation for workshops​

• ​Precise positioning systemInstall "Beidou Navigation" on each vehicle for centimeter-level positioning
• ​Automatic avoidance functionWhen two vehicles approach each other, it automatically slows down to maintain a safe distance
• Actual effectThe 32 vehicles in SAIC's workshop had no collisions throughout the year

Iii. Life-saving Function in Critical Moments

1.Steel water leakage warning​

• The thermal imaging camera monitors the surface of the ladle 24 hours a day
• Alarm immediately upon detecting abnormal temperature (several minutes earlier than the naked eye)
• Real casesThe Shagang system provides early warnings to prevent aluminum water leakage accidents

2.Response to Sudden Earthquakes​

• The seismic wave monitor detects vibrations in 0.1 seconds
• Automatically lock the crane position to keep the lifted object stable
• Technical highlightsIn the 2025 Jiuquan Iron and Steel earthquake, a 160-ton ladle swung by only 4 centimeters

3.Personnel safety protection​

• Radar detects human activities within 8 meters
• It automatically slows down when someone approaches and immediately stops when it enters a dangerous area
• Safety recordWuhan Iron and Steel Corporation has achieved zero accidents with over 10 million working hours for three consecutive years

Four. A worry-free and labor-saving intelligent butler

▶ ​Equipment health forecast​

• ​Steel wire rope inspectionUse "magnetic detection" to identify internal damage and replace it in advance
• ​Gearbox auscultationDiagnose faults through abnormal sounds to avoid sudden strikes
• Economic benefitsThe equipment maintenance cost at Rizhao Port has decreased by 401T to 3T

▶ ​AR Maintenance Assistant​

• Workers wearing AR glasses can see the fault point marks
• Real-time display of disassembly and assembly steps, turning beginners into experts in an instant
• Efficiency improvementChina First Heavy Industries has reduced its maintenance time by one third

▶ ​Intelligent Dispatching Center​

• Automatically plan the optimal transportation route
• Real-time display of all crane positions in the workshop
• CaseThe hoisting efficiency of Baosteel's cold rolling workshop has been increased by 351T to 3T

Conclusion：Driving monitoring systemIt is the intelligent safety net of the factory​

During the typhoon days of Ningbo Port in 2023, the system activated the wind-resistant mode in advance: storm anchors were automatically driven into the ground, and hydraulic buffers absorbed vibrations. In a ten-level gale, the 40-meter-tall steel giant remained as stable as a mountain.

This system makes dangerous operations safe and controllable

• To the boss: Reduce accident losses and enhance production efficiency
• For workers: A safer working environment and easier operation
• For equipment: Extend service life and reduce maintenance costs

When a crane smoothly slides through the workshop carrying hundreds of tons of goods, behind it lies the silent protection of countless sensors, controllers and intelligent algorithms. It uses the power of technology to make heavy industry safer and smarter.