Steel Ladle Tracking & Hot Metal Ladle Identification
Crepak provides SAW RFID hardware for steel ladle tracking and hot-metal ladle identification. Uru 40 tags, dedicated readers and high-temperature antennas capture ladle identity while hot and pass it to your plant automation or ladle-management system.
Steelworks applications
Crepak SAW deployed in more than ten steelworks.
Ladles in use
More than 1,500 ladles using Crepak SAW products.
Longest operating record
Longest-running SAW product in service for more than eight years.
Correct ladle identity connects movement, heat history and maintenance.
Steel and hot-metal ladles circulate between production, transfer, preparation and maintenance points. An automation system needs to know which ladle is present and which process record belongs to it.
A difficult environment for identity capture
Painted numbers can become obscured by steel or slag deposits. Meanwhile, an electronic identifier must operate at its own mounting-point temperature throughout the real thermal cycle.
Small identification errors can propagate
A wrong ladle association can connect a station event to the wrong process or maintenance history. A missed event calls for recovery. Track these separately when validating automated operation.
Correct identity is the foundation. Reliable data capture lets the connected system associate the actual ladle with its location, status and history; it does not replace the plant’s process or safety controls.
Availability and circulation
Know which ladle is ready, in service or under maintenance. Identity and event data support ladle allocation and coordinated movements.
Waiting and heat loss
Idle time allows unwanted cooling. Accurate histories support thermal scheduling and help the management system address unnecessary heating.
Refractory and service history
Keep construction, repair and process events associated with the correct ladle so maintenance decisions use its actual history.
Industry background sources
Primetals: ladle tracking beyond positioning · Tenova: intelligent ladle tracking
How SAW RFID supports high-temperature ladle tracking.
SAW means Surface Acoustic Wave. For an integrator, the key differences are hot-state identification, dedicated hardware and a higher initial investment.
How the tag works
A reader signal is converted into a tiny acoustic wave on a piezoelectric surface inside the tag. A patterned echo carries its identity back to the reader. The tag needs no battery or conventional RFID memory IC.
Why it can operate while hot
The acoustic identification element avoids the operating limits of a conventional RFID memory IC. Suitable materials, electrical connections and protective packaging are also essential. Uru 40 is rated for operation up to 350°C at the tag position; the test shown on this page demonstrates reading at 300°C.
A matched Crepak tag and reader
Crepak SAW uses a proprietary air-interface protocol, separate from RAIN RFID (EPC Gen2 / ISO/IEC 18000-63). Specify Crepak SAW tags and Crepak SAW readers together, with the selected antenna configuration. Standard RAIN readers cannot read Uru 40, and a SAW-only reader cannot read RAIN tags.
Higher upfront cost, a different business case
Budget substantially more for the dedicated SAW tags and reading hardware than for a conventional RAIN installation. Evaluate that premium against replacement labour, repeated commissioning and identification exceptions over the same service period. SAW is most relevant where reading while hot and long service life justify the investment.
Application potential: use reliable ladle identity at transfer, preparation and production points to support circulation, heat-history association and maintenance records in your existing software. Other hot industrial carriers can be evaluated using the same approach, subject to their thermal cycle and read-point conditions.
Integration remains at the reader interface. Your PLC or host application receives identification data through the documented interface. The optional dual-function reader adds a separate conventional UHF capability; it does not make SAW and RAIN tags interchangeable.
Technology references
SAW operating principle and high-temperature construction · GS1 EPC Gen2 air-interface standard
Select for accuracy, hot-state service and total cost.
Common approaches include manual recording, OCR / vision and radio identification. Manual recording remains an exception-handling route; the matrix compares the principal automated approaches relevant to this application.
| Selection criterion | OCR / vision | Conventional RAIN RFID | Crepak SAW identification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identification principle | Camera-based recognition of visible numbers or markings. | IC-based radio identification; multiple tags may be inventoried. | Passive acoustic identifier with dedicated reader; selective single-ID output in the Crepak system. |
| Heat during operation | Remote camera avoids tag-electronics temperature limits; optics and markings must remain usable. | Keep the IC within its operating rating. Heat-survival ratings are not the same as hot-state read ratings. | Uru 40: up to 350°C at the tag during operation; qualify its installed thermal profile. |
| Read distance | Depends on image resolution, marking size, viewing geometry and visibility. | Depends on tag, reader and installation; hot-state behaviour and non-target reads require validation. | About 6 m in documented steelworks conditions; up to 20 m in favourable open conditions. |
| Correct target selection | Depends on a legible target and correct association with the station. | Neighbouring tags can be read; additional zone control and selection logic may be needed. | Selective reading demonstrated with adjacent tags. Validate the target zone and movement in the plant. |
| Operating record | Results vary with scene and maintenance; no universal accuracy percentage is asserted. | Results vary by system and thermal protection. No generic industry error rate is asserted. | Project records report 100% at the Baosteel installation; Yonggang reports 98% overall moving-truck identification and 100% static identification. |
| Service life | Maintain camera equipment and visible identifiers. | Customer-reported replacement intervals of 1–6 months in the high-temperature cases discussed with Crepak; not a universal rating. | Long-term use for ladle lifecycle tracking. Documented multi-year operation; service life depends on installation and duty. |
| Maintenance | Clean optics and renew / clean markings as needed. | Inspect heat protection and replace failed identifiers; rebind and verify replacements. | No battery replacement. Inspect mounting and exposed components according to site conditions. |
| Cost basis | Include equipment, cleaning, marking maintenance and exception handling. | Lower tag purchase prices may be offset by replacement labour, protection and recurring intervention. | Higher initial dedicated-hardware investment; evaluate lifecycle value against avoided replacements and identity exceptions. |
| Best-fit use | Visible markings and manageable optical conditions, or a complementary identification channel. | Where thermal protection and read-zone control meet the required service and accuracy targets. | Crepak’s preferred option for sustained hot-state service, demanding target identification and costly recurring maintenance. |
Two tests. Two essential requirements.
A ladle identifier must select the intended target and remain readable while hot. Review these two capabilities before planning the plant evaluation.
Correct target identification with adjacent tags
Three SAW tags move through the foreground in sequence while the software displays identification records. The test illustrates selective single-tag output. The historical ID 0 record is not part of this test.
Identification while the tag is hot
The high-temperature test demonstrates reading at 300°C. Uru 40 has an operating-temperature rating of up to 350°C.
Evaluate correct identification, missed reads and wrong-ladle events separately. The Crepak system’s selective single-ID output is applied with a defined antenna orientation and read zone. Validate the actual ladle spacing, movement and target-absent behaviour before rollout.
Built to stay with the ladle through demanding service.
Up to 350°C during operation
Uru 40 is designed for identification while the tag is hot. The temperature rating applies to the identifier at its mounting position, not the molten steel or every surface of the ladle.
No battery replacement
The passive SAW identifier is interrogated by its dedicated reader. Its protective construction is designed for the demanding steelworks environment, including resistance to molten-metal splash adhesion.
Long-term ladle identity
Maintain an identity reference for ladle lifecycle records while the host system manages service, maintenance and production history. Inspection and mounting requirements remain specific to the installation.
From fixed read points to moving hot-metal ladles.
Use the same identification foundation across defined handling events, then connect each event to your ladle-management or production system.
Steel ladle identification
Confirm ladle identity at validated baking, tilting and process-transfer points. Associate each read event with the correct ladle history.
Hot-metal ladle movements
Identify the ladle at a defined vehicle passage. The optional dual-function reader can support separate identification of conventional UHF-tagged vehicles.
Rail-carried ladle identification
Capture ladle identity at engineered railway read points. Match antenna placement to the actual approach, mounting and adjacent-ladle arrangement.
Selected customer references.
Selected installations supporting ladle identification and steelmaking logistics.
| Reference | Application | Reference since |
|---|---|---|
| Baosteel, Shanghai | Steel ladle tracking management | Since 2018 |
| Yonggang Group, Zhangjiagang | Hot-metal ladle tracking management | Since 2019 |
| Baosteel, Zhanjiang | Steelmaking logistics tracking | Since 2021 |
| LM Steel, Shaanxi | Steel ladle tracking; steelmaking logistics tracking | Since 2022 |
| Bayi Steel, Xinjiang | Production logistics tracking | Since 2022 |
| Jinding Steel, Hebei | Hot-metal ladle tracking management | Since 2022 |
| Taishan Steel, Shandong | Hot-metal ladle tracking management | Since 2022 |
| Lianyuan Steel, Hunan | Steelmaking logistics tracking | Since 2022 |
| Fangda Steel, Jiujiang | Hot-metal ladle tracking management | Since 2023 |
Engineered for the real steelworks environment.
From ladle-mounted tags to fixed antennas, see how the identification system fits the handling process.
See real operating conditions.
Review on-site footage of the SAW system in use. Field recordings complement the controlled identification and high-temperature tests.
Steel Ladle Identification with SAW RFID | Uru 40 in Operation
See the Uru 40 SAW RFID tag in a steelworks ladle identification application. This field video shows the installed system reading ladle identity during on-site operation.
Reliable vessel identification helps associate process and movement records with the correct ladle.
SAW RFID Installation & Read Check | Uru 40 Ladle Tag
An on-site installation and reading check for the Uru 40 SAW RFID ladle tag.
This video documents the installed tag and antenna arrangement and the corresponding reading check during setup. Commissioning helps verify that the installation supports the intended identification point before routine operation.
SAW RFID Commissioning: Tag ID Verification | Uru 40
This commissioning video shows the Uru 40 SAW RFID tag being read and its identifier checked in the software.
The on-site check connects the physical tag installation with the displayed identification result, supporting verification before the data is used in the ladle tracking workflow.
Steel Ladle Pouring with Uru 40 SAW RFID Tag Installed
This field video shows a steel ladle pouring molten steel with a Uru 40 SAW RFID tag installed, illustrating the demanding environment of steelworks operations.
The footage provides context for ladle identification projects, where tag placement, mounting protection and antenna positioning must account for the actual operating conditions. It documents the application environment rather than a measured temperature or RFID reading test.
A lower purchase price can cost more over years of service.
Compare complete systems over the same duty and operating period. The economic case for SAW becomes stronger when repeated replacement and manual intervention are material costs.
Costs to include
- Readers, antennas, tags and installation.
- Replacement tags and access / removal / refitting labour.
- Identity rebinding and functional checks after replacement.
- Actual time spent resolving missed or wrong-ladle events.
- Software, integration and ongoing maintenance.
Separate direct savings from system benefits
Direct identification savings concern maintenance and exception handling. Better ladle circulation, reduced waiting and reheating depend on the connected software and operating process as well as the identity data.
Payback period = total project investment ÷ annual net savings.
Use measured maintenance and process costs from your plant. We can structure the comparison around your existing identification method.
Crepak’s recommendation: for sustained hot-state ladle identification with demanding target-selection requirements and costly recurring maintenance, choose SAW as the preferred route for the best overall balance of identification accuracy, long-term reliability and lifecycle value. Confirm that advantage in your own acceptance test and cost comparison.
A complete identification layer for your steelworks application.
Uru 40 SAW tag
Passive ladle identity with operation up to 350°C. About 6 m is the documented steelworks reference range; actual performance depends on configuration and installation.
Optimus F110SAW
Dedicated SAW reader
SAW-only is the standard offer. An optional SAW + conventional UHF version supports projects that also identify vehicles or other standard RFID assets.
RS-485 / Modbus integration is documented. Confirm other interfaces with the selected version.
Magnus U30HT
High-temperature antenna
A dedicated antenna positioned for the ladle’s read point, connected to the reader by RF cable. Mounting orientation and the cable arrangement are selected for the site.
The reader itself is rated −10 to +60°C in the supplied specification and must be located accordingly.
Connect, read and validate your integration.
The available English Demo and communication documentation support evaluation before connection to a ladle-management or production application.
Tools for your engineering team
- Single and continuous identification tests.
- Reader connection and parameter setup.
- Signal diagnostics and identification records.
- RS-485 / Modbus documentation for host integration.
API / SDK format is confirmed for the selected hardware and project. Ladle-management software is available for selected projects; local integrators or specialist partners provide higher-level dispatch and logistics applications.
Start with a defined read point and measurable acceptance criteria.
01 · Bench evaluation
Connect the hardware, read the supplied tag and confirm the data interface with the English Demo and protocol documentation.
02 · Representative site test
Validate hot-state reading, adjacent-ladle selection, approach paths and target-absent behaviour. Record correct, missed and wrong-target events separately.
03 · Planned deployment
Agree installation, host-system integration, exception handling, inspection and spare-unit arrangements before rollout.
Answers before you specify a pilot.
Can Uru 40 be read by a standard RAIN RFID reader?
No. Crepak SAW uses a proprietary air-interface protocol. Use Uru 40 with a Crepak SAW reader and the selected antenna configuration. Standard EPC Gen2 / ISO/IEC 18000-63 RAIN readers are not compatible. The optional dual-function reader adds separate conventional UHF capability.
Why does SAW ladle identification cost more than conventional RAIN RFID?
The dedicated SAW tags and reading hardware require a substantially higher initial investment. Compare complete-system costs with replacement labour, commissioning and identification exceptions over the same operating period. The premium is justified only when the application benefits outweigh it.
Does the 350°C rating mean continuous use beside molten steel at any location?
No. It refers to the tag operating temperature at its installed location. Check the full thermal cycle, peak conditions and mounting position. Higher-temperature requirements need separate assessment.
Can several tags be nearby?
The Crepak SAW system provides selective single-tag output. The adjacent-tag demonstration illustrates its behaviour. Validate the intended read zone with your actual ladle spacing, orientation and movement.
Does the tag itself manage ladle history or measure temperature?
The host system associates the ID with ladle history and process events. Temperature sensing is not included as a standard Uru 40 claim on this page.
Is the software a complete steelmaking logistics system?
The standard evaluation path uses identification hardware, an English Demo and protocol support. Ladle-management software is project-specific; higher-level logistics and scheduling are delivered by the local integrator or specialist partners.
What does the evaluation kit cost?
Evaluation kits are quoted separately from volume hardware orders. Final configuration, additional tags, accessories and support scope are specified in the quotation.
Test the right identification approach for your ladle workflow.
Tell us about the ladle, hot-state conditions and read point. We will help define a suitable evaluation configuration.
Evaluation kit
- 1 Optimus F110SAW reader (SAW-only)
- 1 Uru 40 tag
- 1 Magnus U30HT high-temperature antenna
- English Demo and communication protocol documentation
Other SAW tag formats and the dual-function reader can be considered for the project. Accessories and support scope are defined in the quotation.
Share four project details
- Steel ladle or hot-metal ladle, and movement method.
- Temperature at the proposed tag position.
- Read distance and neighbouring-ladle arrangement.
- Approximate number of ladles and read points.
A site photograph or layout is helpful if available.
