1. Overview of Hydraulic Billet clamp

A Hydraulic Billet Clamp is a specialized industrial device designed to grip, lift, and transport steel billets safely and efficiently in steel plants and metal processing facilities.
It plays a vital role in the continuous casting, reheating, rolling, and loading processes of steel production.

The equipment uses hydraulic power to control clamping and releasing actions, ensuring a stable, uniform, and adjustable gripping force.
Compared with mechanical clamps, hydraulic billet clamps provide higher precision, better safety, and superior adaptability to different billet sizes and weights.

They are mainly used in steel mills, forging workshops, and logistics handling systems, where billets are often hot, heavy, and irregular in shape.
By adopting electro-hydraulic integrated control systems, the device achieves automated, intelligent, and remote-controlled operation, enhancing both productivity and operator safety.

2. Working Principle

The Hydraulic Billet Clamp operates based on hydraulic pressure transmission.
A hydraulic pump generates high-pressure oil that flows into cylinders controlling the movement of the clamping jaws.
When the control valve directs oil into the clamping chamber, the jaws close symmetrically to grip the billet.
Reversing the oil flow causes the jaws to open, releasing the billet.

The hydraulic control unit allows precise adjustment of clamping pressure according to the billet’s weight and temperature.
To ensure safety, the system includes pressure-retaining valves and mechanical locks, which prevent accidental release in case of sudden pressure loss.

For hot billet handling, the clamp uses heat-resistant seals and hydraulic fluids, ensuring stability even at ambient temperatures exceeding 1000°C near the billet surface.

3. Structural Composition

A Hydraulic Billet Clamp generally consists of the following major components:

1. Main Frame:
   The load-bearing structure, made from high-strength steel, providing rigidity and stability.

2. Hydraulic Cylinders:
   The key actuators controlling the opening and closing of clamping arms.

3. Clamping Arms (Jaws):
   Specially designed gripping plates that contact the billet surface, often lined with heat-resistant pads.

4. Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU):
   Includes a pump, reservoir, valves, and filters that generate and regulate hydraulic pressure.

5. Control System:
   Equipped with valves, sensors, and PLC or manual control options.

6. Suspension and Rotation Mechanism:
   Connects to a crane or manipulator and allows orientation adjustment.

7. Protective Lining:
   Made from graphite, ceramic, or refractory material to prevent billet damage.

4. Technical Features and Advantages

1. Strong Clamping Force:
   Hydraulic pressure allows adjustable force up to several tens of tons.

2. High Temperature Resistance:
   Designed for handling billets up to 1200°C.

3. Smooth and Stable Operation:
   Hydraulic system ensures uniform movement and minimizes vibration.

4. Safety Protection:
   Includes anti-drop valves, mechanical locks, and overload protection.

5. Automatic Control:
   Compatible with PLC, remote panels, and intelligent monitoring systems.

6. Flexible Adjustment:
   Clamp width and pressure can be adjusted for different billet sizes.

7. Low Maintenance:
   Simple hydraulic layout, with easily replaceable seals and parts.

5. Classification

(1) By Structure

• Fixed Hydraulic Clamp: For billets of standard size and shape.

• Adjustable Hydraulic Clamp: Automatically adjusts jaw spacing for varying billet widths.

• Rotating Hydraulic Clamp: Capable of 90°–360° billet rotation for alignment.

(2) By Application Environment

• Hot Billet Clamp: Uses refractory materials and heat-insulated systems.

• Cold Billet Clamp: For handling cooled billets in storage or shipment.

(3) By Installation Mode

• Crane-Mounted Clamp: Suspended under overhead cranes for flexible use.

• Manipulator Clamp: Installed on robotic arms for precise automation.

6. Application Fields

Hydraulic billet clamps are widely used in:

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

• Reheating Furnaces: Loading and unloading billets before rolling.

• Rolling Mills: Feeding billets into rolling stands.

• Steel Warehouses: Handling, stacking, and arranging billets.

• Ports and Terminals: Loading billets onto ships or trucks for export.

7. Operation and Maintenance

To ensure long-term stability and safety:

• Check hydraulic hoses, seals, and joints for leaks regularly.

• Monitor oil pressure and temperature; maintain within rated range.

• Replace hydraulic oil every 6–12 months.

• Inspect clamping pads for wear or cracks.

• Test safety valves, limit switches, and emergency release systems periodically.

Conclusion

The Hydraulic Billet Clamp is a core equipment in modern steel manufacturing, combining hydraulic precision, high strength, and automation.
It ensures safe, efficient, and accurate handling of billets under extreme working conditions.

With the advancement of smart hydraulics, digital control, and intelligent monitoring,
the hydraulic billet clamp will continue to evolve toward greater intelligence, safety, and sustainability,
playing a crucial role in the future of intelligent steel plants and automated logistics systems.