Robotized ladle transportation device system with embedded manipulator

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 the second ladle comprising,
• a floor provided with an opening (110, 120),
• a ladle shroud (13a-13c), and
• a ladle sliding gate (15) comprising a collector nozzle (14) configured for reversibly receiving and supporting the ladle shroud, the ladle sliding gate (15) being 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 and a casting position wherein the opening is in fluid communication with the ladle shroud (13a-13c);
• (d) a set of first and second ladle shroud manipulators (35) for holding the ladle shroud (13a-13c) coupled over the collector nozzle (14) of the first and second ladles, respectively, each of the first and second ladle shroud manipulators are fixed relative to the corresponding first or second ladle (11, 12), in order to move together in unison with the corresponding first or second ladle between a loading station and a casting station;
• (e) a transportation device including a turret (30) or a ladle car, the transportation device further 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 transportation device is configured for moving and holding in place the first and second ladles (11,12) between the loading station, adjacent to the loading platform (20), and the casting station, over the tundish (1);
• and
• (f) a robot (21) configured for carrying out the following operations on the first or second ladle (11, 12) when located in the loading station,
• handing a new ladle shroud (13b) to the manipulator (35) of the ladle located at the loading station, and
• coupling a driving device (17) to the ladle slide gate (15).