1. Overview of Billet clamp

A Billet Clamp is a specialized mechanical device used for gripping, lifting, transferring, and positioning steel billets during production, processing, and transportation in steel plants.
It is a critical auxiliary tool in continuous casting lines, reheating furnaces, Rolling Mills, and material handling systems.

The billet clamp is designed to safely and efficiently handle high-temperature, heavy, and irregular billets without causing deformation or surface damage.
It typically works in coordination with cranes, manipulators, or hydraulic lifting equipment, ensuring accurate and stable billet movement during hot or cold processing.

Modern billet clamps integrate hydraulic, mechanical, or electro-hydraulic control mechanisms, enabling automatic gripping, releasing, and adjustment of clamping force to suit billets of different sizes and weights.

2. Working Principle

The working principle of a billet clamp is based on mechanical leverage or hydraulic pressure applied to clamp the billet securely between gripping arms.
When lifting or transferring, the clamp ensures uniform pressure distribution to prevent billet slippage.

In a hydraulic billet clamp, a hydraulic cylinder drives two or more clamping jaws that close symmetrically around the billet.
The clamping force is controlled precisely by adjusting the hydraulic system’s pressure, ensuring stability even when handling hot billets (up to 1200°C).

In mechanical or electro-hydraulic models, the clamping action may also be synchronized with crane movements or automated control signals, achieving both safety and efficiency.

3. Structural Composition

A typical billet clamp consists of the following key components:

1. Main Frame:
   The load-bearing structure, made of high-strength alloy steel, ensuring durability under heavy loads.

2. Clamping Arms (Jaws):
   Mechanically or hydraulically operated gripping arms that directly contact the billet surface.

3. Hydraulic Cylinder or Mechanical Linkage:
   Provides the clamping and releasing force.

4. Rotation Mechanism (Optional):
   Enables tilting or rotating the billet for alignment and positioning.

5. Suspension Linkage:
   Connects the clamp to a crane hook or hoisting device.

6. Control System:
   Consists of hydraulic valves, sensors, and electronic controllers for automated operation.

7. Protective Liners:
   High-temperature-resistant pads or coatings on clamping surfaces to prevent billet surface damage.

4. Technical Features and Advantages

1. High Safety and Reliability:
   Equipped with anti-slip jaws and pressure-locking systems to prevent accidental release.

2. Strong Load Capacity:
   Capable of handling billets weighing from 1 to 50 tons or more.

3. High Temperature Resistance:
   Operates safely under hot billet conditions (up to 1200°C).

4. Precise Control:
   Hydraulic pressure and displacement sensors ensure controlled gripping force.

5. Automation Compatibility:
   Can integrate with PLCs, cranes, or robotic systems for automated billet handling.

6. Low Maintenance:
   Simple mechanical structure with easily replaceable wear parts.

5. Classification of Billet Clamps

(1) By Power Source

• Hydraulic Billet Clamp: Driven by hydraulic cylinders; most common type for heavy billets.

• Mechanical Billet Clamp: Operates through mechanical linkages, no hydraulic system required.

• Electro-Hydraulic Clamp: Combines electrical control with hydraulic actuation for precision handling.

(2) By Application Environment

• Hot Billet Clamp: Designed with heat-resistant materials for high-temperature steel billets.

• Cold Billet Clamp: Used for room-temperature steel billet handling in warehouses.

(3) By Structure

• Fixed Clamp: Simple design, suitable for specific billet sizes.

• Adjustable Clamp: Automatically adjusts jaw spacing to handle billets of varying dimensions.

• Rotating Clamp: Can rotate billets up to 360° for alignment in rolling mills.

6. Application Fields

Billet clamps are indispensable in industries involving metal forming, steel manufacturing, and heavy machinery.
Typical applications include:

• Continuous Casting Plants: Transferring billets from the casting platform to cooling beds.

• Reheating Furnace Operations: Loading or unloading billets for rolling.

• Rolling Mills: Feeding billets into rolling lines or collecting finished products.

• Warehouses and Yards: Stacking, arranging, or transporting billets.

• Ports and Terminals: Loading billets onto ships or railway wagons.

7. Operation and Maintenance

For safe and reliable operation, billet clamps must follow strict maintenance schedules:

• Regular inspection of hydraulic hoses, seals, and joints.

• Checking for wear on clamping pads and replacement when necessary.

• Verifying the function of safety locks and limit switches.

• Lubricating pivot points and linkages regularly.

• Ensuring the hydraulic oil is clean and pressure levels are stable.

Conclusion

The Billet Clamp is a key handling device in the steel industry, essential for safe and efficient billet movement during casting, reheating, and rolling processes.
With continuous innovations in hydraulic technology, automation control, and intelligent monitoring, billet clamps are evolving toward higher precision, reliability, and automation,
contributing significantly to the modernization of intelligent steel manufacturing and logistics systems.