Robotized ladle turret system

A metal casting installation comprising,

• (a) a loading platform (20),
• (b) a tundish (1),
• (c) a first ladle (11) and a second ladle (12), each of the first and second ladle comprising,
• a floor provided with an opening (11o, 12o),
• a collector nozzle (14) and a ladle shroud (13a-13c),
• a ladle sliding gate (15),
• (d) a turret (30) comprising at least a first holding device and a second holding device for holding the first ladle (11) and the second ladle (12), respectively, wherein the ladle turret is configured for moving and holding in place the first and second ladles (11,12) between a loading station, adjacent to the loading platform (20), and a casting station, over the tundish (1),
• Characterized in that,
• the ladle sliding gate is configured for reversibly receiving and supporting the collector nozzle and the ladle shroud, and further configured for being coupled to a driving device (17) for actuating the ladle sliding gate between a sealed position wherein the opening is sealed, a casting position wherein the opening is in fluid communication with the ladle shroud (13a-13c), and an unclogging position wherein the opening is in fluid communication with the collector nozzle (14),
• the metal casting installation comprises a robot (21) programmed for carrying out the following operations on the first or second ladle (11, 12) which is held in the loading station,
• loading a new ladle shroud (13b) onto the ladle slide gate (15), and
• coupling a driving device (17) to the ladle slide gate (15),
• wherein said robot (21) is located on or adjacent to the loading platform (20).