Successful metallurgical treatment is based upon the knowledge about the actual physical and chemical state of the liquid steel. The standard way of monitoring is by temporary immersion of sensors and/or probes using sampling lances. Electro-chemical sensors inform about steel temperature, oxygen activity and hydrogen content instantaneously, whereas steel samples to indicate the chemical composition of steel are to be processed in the chemical laboratory.

Immersion of samplers and sensors can be carried out manually or automatically. Automatic sampling systems feature PLC-controlled lance hoisting and swiveling devices. Dedicated slag breaking lances may be necessary to enable smooth and safe immersion of samplers through the rigid top slag present in some of the processes.

In case of RH conventional sampling is possible without interrupting the vacuum process. However, in a tank degasser (VD, VD-OB or VOD) our special automatic samplers arranged in vacuum-tight housings are to be utilized if a sample or melt temperature measurement is required during the vacuum process.

Most recent SMS Mevac developed automatic samplers using industrial-type robots. With increased performance and reliability, standardized robotic systems with dedicated gripping tools simplify the automatic sampling procedure. Selecting, attaching and detaching the probe and even the sampling procedure itself are carried out in a repeatable and reliable manner minimizing manual activities.