EPIQ Machinery: innovation in action

AlCircle: As you always strive to integrate new technologies into equipment, how do you plan to make EPIQ AD, EPIQ Mecfor and EPIQ Brochot more technologically advanced?

Éloïse Harvey: Although AD, BROCHOT and MECFOR equipment already have a high level of automation, embedded technologies, and interconnectivity to execute their respective tasks safely, today’s challenge resides in bringing hyper-connectivity and a systematic approach between all equipment fixed and mobile. Not only has that, but the communication (data exchange) between equipment needed to be done at a greater level for the plant to appreciate the Industry 4.0 shift entirely.

At EPIQ, we are closely cooperating with major primary aluminium producers to identify proper software layers for our equipment to ensure all communicate correctly with each other and ensure the right integration of our equipment in their specific processes. The goal is to have our equipment speak the same language as the plant’s matrix so that no information is lost in translation.

What we envision in the near future is the ability to gather data from our equipment, relay it back to the plant’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and/or Order Management System (OMS), manage and analyze it to be able to convert it into comprehensive information to assist in producers’ day to day decision making. We can also envision the idea that in the long term, it will be possible to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) to predict and optimize all the operations carried out in an aluminium smelter or casthouse based on its historical data.

AlCircle: What new solutions and technologies do you plan to launch in 2023 to help the aluminium industry increase production?

Éloïse Harvey: In the decarbonization trend, MECFOR is working on converting its conventional heavy-duty mobile equipment to a fully electric motorization type. In line with this, we plan to deliver our first MECFOR Electric Hauler, model MTE, by the end of 2023.

On the other hand, our Engineer and Design team is finalizing a new casthouse equipment called 'MECFOR Furnace Vehicle – MFV'. This equipment has a totally new design offering a cab elevation system, telescopic boom, front free wheeled axle, rear steering axle and high lifting capacity. The new MFV is compatible with MECFOR Smart Casthouse technologies using the QuicKonnect system, Operator's assistance technology and Furnace Protection System (FPS).

For the AD and BROCHOT line of products, our team is going further into automation and robotization, improving the user-friendliness of HMI and transparency to access data. Being an accredited FANUC integrator also allows us to craft on-measure handling solutions better. The advantages of a FANUC robot are the preventive maintenance program 'Zero Down Time – ZDT' and the ability to upcycle the robot and reassign it elsewhere, contrary to dedicated equipment.

In addition, branded under EPIQ DTA, we have access to many Auto Guided Vehicle (AGV) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) solutions using the most up-to-date natural navigation system, traffic, and order management programs.

In the end, with EPIQ's extensive equipment portfolio, our objective is to come up with the best ROI addressing customers' needs by delivering a reliable, robust, and long-lasting solution.

AlCircle: Do you think the machines you offer can become more user-friendly? Would you like to dedicate 2023 to working on it?

Éloïse Harvey: EPIQ’s equipment is already user-friendly with a high level of ergonomics. However, we understand our customers’ concerns about the scarcity of qualified workforce and the necessity to improve their production. We constantly strive to enhance the Operator’s experience and reduce the poor work environment. We believe in greater automation and better operator assistance technologies. Also, AGV/AMR equipment comes in handy for highly repetitive tasks requiring extreme constancy in execution.

AlCircle: Do you want to bring in any new changes in your quality policy this year?

Éloïse Harvey: Each of EPIQ’s manufacturing sites are ISO 9001:2015 accredited. We embed a culture of continuous improvement from the root to the top. Following the merger, we have identified the need to create a new strategic corporate position that will oversee all activities of the EPIQ sites (Canada, France, India, and the Middle East) to standardize practices and make the most of each of them.

AlCircle: How much time does your equipment save compared to human working capacity? Can this be improved further?

Éloïse Harvey: Each project is unique and hard to compare or draw statistics on our customer's ROI. However, we can only presume that by coming back to EPIQ, there is already a gain in implementing our solutions.

One equipment that stands out is our EPIQ AD 'Automated Extrusion billet batch homogenizing handling system'. Automation offers constancy, reliability and a longer life cycle of the equipment. This solution offers a hands-off approach, meaning no operators are required between the ingot laydown point and the homogenizing area. This also leads through the sawing area, where an operator removes the final product.

On top of that, with EPIQ DTA AGV/AMR equipment, we trust that our customers will understand all the potential and benefits we can bring them. We are now commissioning AGVs in the finished goods sector; we're ready to support our customers' ambitions to integrate this technology in other parts of their plants.

AlCircle: As sustainability has taken a centre point in the aluminium industry, how do you want to advance your machines to help the smelters achieve zero emissions?

Éloïse Harvey: As mentioned earlier in this article, we are working on ‘electrifying’ our heavy-duty haulier under model MTE. Two projects are in progress: one to transport Crucible of Molten Metal with a maximum weight of 16 MT and another for Anode Tray weighing about 17 MT.

On another token, AGV equipment is readily available with electrical motorisation.

AlCircle: Can you offer customised solutions to the European aluminium companies to save their production, as many have reduced output or closed down operations?

Éloïse Harvey: Each of our solutions are tailor-made according to the needs of our customers. We always have presented a great openness to seek solutions that will allow our customers to grow in profitability while maintaining high safety factors.