Robotic Slab and Billet Marking & Hot Tagging Systems

Apply clear, durable identification to hot or cold slabs, billets, blooms and beam blanks.

Radian engineers robotic marking, tag-welding and tag-nailing systems around your product temperature, surface condition, marking requirements, available cycle time and existing mill equipment.

Depending on the application, the system can apply painted characters, dot-matrix marks, laser-etched codes or heat-resistant identification tags while reducing manual work near hot products and moving equipment.

Maintain Product Identity From the Caster Forward

Slabs, billets, blooms and beam blanks must remain connected to the correct production data as they move through cooling, storage and downstream processing.

An automated identification system receives the required product information from the mill controls, locates the product and applies the specified mark or tag. When verification is included, the system confirms that the identification is present and readable before releasing the product.

Radian develops each system around the mill’s products, tracking requirements and line conditions rather than applying one fixed marking method to every application.

Products We Can Evaluate

Radian can engineer automated identification systems for:

• Steel slabs

• Billets

• Blooms

• Beam blanks

• Hot and cold semi-finished products

• Aluminum products where the selected marking method is suitable

• Other large metal products requiring automated identification

Final suitability depends on the product temperature, surface condition, dimensions, presentation, identification requirements and available cycle time.

Choose the Right Marking or Tagging Method

Direct marking and tag attachment solve different identification requirements. The right method depends on the amount of data required, product temperature, surface condition, desired visibility, downstream handling and whether the identification must be machine-readable.

Hot Product Tag Welding

A robotic tag-welding system prepares a heat-resistant identification tag, locates the product and attaches the tag to an approved surface.

The tag can carry more product information than a large painted mark and may include alphanumeric text, barcodes, QR codes or Data Matrix codes, depending on the tag-printing configuration.

Radian can engineer tag-welding systems for the ends of hot slabs, billets, blooms and beam blanks. The attachment method, tag material and thermal protection are selected for the application.

Single-Nozzle Paint Marking

Single-nozzle marking applies large, visible alphanumeric characters directly to the product surface.

It is well suited to applications where crane operators and production personnel need to read the product identification from a distance. The paint, character size, marking location and surface preparation are selected around the product and production environment.

Dot-Matrix Marking

Dot-matrix systems use multiple nozzles to form characters more quickly than a single-nozzle system.

This method can support short marking cycles and machine-readable Data Matrix codes where the surface, character size and scanning conditions are suitable.

Laser Etching

Laser etching can produce permanent machine-readable identification without attaching a conventional label.

Depending on the material and application, the system can etch directly onto aluminum or remove a painted surface layer from steel to create a contrasting barcode, QR code or Data Matrix code.

How Automated Hot Product Tagging Works

1. Product Data Is Received

The system receives the required identification data from the mill’s Level 1, Level 2, PLC, HMI or material-tracking system.

Depending on the application, this may include:

• Heat number

• Product or piece number

• Grade

• Strand number

• Cut length

• Dimensions

• Production date or shift

• Routing information

• Customer or order information

• Barcode, QR code or Data Matrix data

2. The Product Enters the Tagging Position

The production line confirms that the slab, billet, bloom or beam blank is in position and ready for identification.

The system is interlocked with the surrounding material-handling equipment so the tagging sequence begins only when the operating conditions are satisfied.

3. The Product and Tagging Surface Are Located

Sensors, laser scanning or machine vision can be used to determine the product’s actual position and locate a suitable attachment area.

This allows the system to account for expected product-position variation rather than relying only on a fixed programmed coordinate.

4. The Identification Tag Is Prepared

The required product information is applied to the heat-resistant metal tag.

Depending on the selected equipment, the tag may contain text, numbers, a logo, barcode, QR code or Data Matrix code. The system then presents the corresponding tag and attachment hardware to the robot.

5. The Robot Attaches the Tag

The robot moves to the identified product location and secures the tag using the approved welding or attachment process.

The tooling and robot path are engineered around the product temperature, end condition, attachment location and surrounding equipment.

6. The Identification Is Verified

When verification is included, a vision system or code reader confirms that the tag is present and that the machine-readable code can be read.

The system can then return completion status to the mill controls and create a record of the identification cycle.

7. Exceptions Are Reported

If the product cannot be located, the tag is not presented correctly or verification is unsuccessful, the system can stop the automatic sequence and notify the operator.

Application-specific recovery routines can be developed around the mill’s required response and production sequence.

How Direct Slab and Billet Marking Works

1. Marking Data Is Received

The system receives the required characters or code from the mill controls or an approved operator recipe.

2. The Product Surface Is Located

Sensors or machine vision identify the product position, marking surface and permitted marking area.

3. Surface Preparation Is Completed When Required

Scale, inconsistent cut faces and surface contamination can affect mark quality. Depending on the application, a descaling or cleaning step may be incorporated before marking.

4. The Mark Is Applied

The robot positions the paint, dot-matrix or laser tool and applies the identification to the programmed location.

5. Mark Quality Is Checked

Optional cameras, OCR or code readers can verify mark presence, character quality or machine-readable code performance.

6. Completion Status Is Returned

The system communicates successful completion, alarms or exception information to the surrounding production line.

Engineered for Casting and Mill Environments

Slab and billet marking equipment must operate around heat, scale, dust, vibration, moving products and heavy material-handling equipment.

Radian evaluates how these conditions affect:

• Robot and tooling protection

• Cooling and heat shielding

• Sensor and camera placement

• Paint, tag and welding consumables

• Cable and hose routing

• Guarding and interlocks

• Maintenance access

• Product-position variation

• Abnormal product conditions

• Recovery after an interrupted cycle

The final system is engineered around the actual marking station rather than treated as an isolated robot cell.

Product Location and Vision

Slabs, billets and blooms may not arrive in exactly the same position every cycle. Cut-end condition, product skew, dimensional variation and scale can also affect where a mark or tag should be placed.

Depending on the application, Radian can incorporate:

• Laser product detection

• 2D or 3D machine vision

• Surface or end-face location

• Product-skew detection

• Mark or tag presence inspection

• OCR character verification

• Barcode, QR or Data Matrix reading

• Exception detection and operator alerts

The sensing method is selected after reviewing the product, environment, allowable position variation and required verification level.

Mill Controls and Product-Tracking Integration

Automated identification is most useful when the physical mark or tag remains connected to the mill’s production data.

Radian can integrate the robotic system with existing:

• PLC and HMI controls

• Level 1 and Level 2 systems

• Material-tracking databases

• Caster and cooling-bed controls

• Conveyor or transfer equipment

• Product-presence sensors

• Safety systems and line interlocks

• Downstream code readers

Depending on the project scope, the system can receive identification data, report cycle status, communicate alarms and record whether the mark or tag was successfully applied and verified.

Typical System Components

The final components depend on the selected marking or tagging method.

Six-Axis Robot and Application Tool

The robot positions the marking or tag-attachment tool at the required product location. Tooling is engineered around the process, product temperature and production environment.

Tag Printing and Feeding Equipment

Hot-tagging systems can include equipment for printing or marking metal tags, storing consumables and presenting the correct tag to the robot.

Stud or Welding-Hardware Feeder

Where stud welding is used, the system prepares and verifies the attachment hardware before the robot begins the welding sequence.

Paint or Marking Equipment

Direct-marking systems may include a paint cabinet, circulation system, nozzle-cleaning equipment or dot-matrix marking head.

Product-Location System

Sensors, laser scanners or machine-vision equipment locate the product and approved identification area.

Mark and Code Verification

Optional cameras, OCR systems and code readers can confirm mark presence and readability.

Electrical and Controls Cabinet

The cabinet houses the PLC, robot controller, safety controls and communication equipment used to coordinate the identification system with the production line.

HMI and Diagnostic Functions

The HMI provides operating status, alarms, recipes, consumable information and approved manual or recovery controls.

Thermal Protection

Robot covers, cooling, heat shields and protected component placement may be incorporated for high-temperature applications.

Safety Fencing and Interlocks

Physical guarding and safety-rated controls separate personnel from the robot and coordinate access with surrounding production equipment.

Application Programming

Radian programs the product recipes, robot paths, identification sequences, line interfaces and exception-handling routines required for the application.

Slab and Billet Marking FAQs

What is the difference between slab marking and slab tagging?

Direct marking applies identification onto the product surface using paint, dot-matrix printing or laser etching. Tagging attaches a separately prepared identification tag to the product.

A tag can carry more detailed or machine-readable information, while large direct marks may be easier for personnel to read from a distance. The appropriate method depends on the product, temperature and downstream tracking requirements.

Can Radian identify red-hot slabs and billets?

Yes. Radian can engineer marking and tagging systems for high-temperature products. The maximum permitted temperature depends on the selected marking method, tag material, welding process, robot protection and surrounding environment.

The actual operating temperature must be confirmed during the application review.

Can the system tag billets, blooms and beam blanks?

Yes. Radian can configure robotic tagging systems for billets, blooms and beam blanks as well as slabs. Product dimensions, presentation and suitable attachment surfaces must be reviewed before the final tooling and robot arrangement are selected.

What information can be placed on the mark or tag?

Depending on the chosen method, identification can include heat numbers, piece numbers, grades, strand numbers, dimensions, production information, customer data, logos, barcodes, QR codes and Data Matrix codes.

How does the robot locate products that are not perfectly positioned?

Sensors, laser scanning or machine vision can locate the actual product position before marking or tagging. The sensing system can also help identify an approved surface or attachment location.

The permissible amount of product variation is established during engineering.

Can the system verify that the correct tag was applied?

Yes. A configured verification system can confirm tag presence and read its barcode, QR code or Data Matrix code. The result can be communicated to the mill controls or product-tracking system.

What happens if a tag cannot be applied or read?

The system can be programmed to stop the automatic sequence, notify the operator and follow an approved retry or recovery procedure.

The exact response depends on the production flow and the mill’s traceability requirements.

Can identification data come directly from our Level 2 system?

Yes. Radian can integrate product data and marking commands with Level 1, Level 2, PLC, HMI or other material-tracking systems.

The communication method, data fields and confirmation sequence are defined during controls engineering.

Can the system be retrofitted into an existing caster or cooling bed?

Yes. Radian evaluates the available footprint, product position, surrounding equipment, heat exposure, controls interfaces, maintenance access and shutdown limitations before developing the cell layout.

A site study or 3D scan may be recommended for constrained brownfield installations.

What does Radian need to evaluate an application?

Useful starting information includes:

• Product types and dimensions

• Minimum and maximum temperature

• Product position and orientation

• Current identification method

• Required marking or tag content

• Marking or attachment location

• Target cycle time

• Photos, videos and line drawings

• Existing controls and tracking architecture

• Available floor space

• Known safety, access and maintenance requirements

Review Your Slab or Billet Identification Application

Share your product range, operating temperature, required identification data, cycle time and line layout with Radian.

Our application engineering team will help determine whether direct marking, robotic tag welding or a combined identification approach is the best fit for your operation.