Abstract: A monitoring system may monitor a casting environment, for example, including a mold. The monitoring system may include a camera and a computer system. The camera may be positioned to capture or detect optical data associated with one or more components in a casting environment. The camera may send the optical data to the computer system and the computer system may generate a profile associated with the casting environment. The profile may be compared with a baseline profile to determine whether a particular event has occurred. Based on the event that may have occurred, operating instructions can be generated. The operating instructions may be used to adjust the casting process.

Abstract: Metal can separate from a casting mold during the casting process. A detection system can monitor the mold and determine if the metal has separated from the mold. The detection system can include a camera, a light source, and a computer system. The camera and light source can be placed on opposite sides of the casting mold and positioned to both point toward the mold. The computer system can detect if any light is visible between the mold and the metal based on data received from the camera. The computer system can then determine the metal has pulled away from the mold based on the detected light.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for sorting material on a conveyor of a conveyor system, such as a conveyor system for material including non-ferrous metals. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt and a separator system. The conveyor belt is adapted to convey the material. The separator system includes a separator below the conveyor belt and is configured to selectively apply a separating force onto the material on the conveyor belt such that at least one piece of the material is lifted off of the conveyor belt. A method of sorting material on a conveyor belt includes receiving the material on the conveyor belt, conveying the material with the conveyor belt, and applying the separating force onto the material with the separator such that at least one piece of the material is lifted off of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A conveying system, such as a conveying system for material including non-ferrous metals, includes a conveying belt and a stabilizer. The conveying belt includes a conveying surface and is adapted to convey the material on the conveying surface. The stabilizer is configured to apply a stabilizing force onto the material on the conveyor belt such that the material is stabilized while being conveyed. A method of stabilizing material on a conveyor belt includes receiving the material on the conveying surface of the conveyor belt, conveying the material at a conveying speed with the conveyor belt, and applying the stabilizing force onto the material with a stabilizer such that vertical displacement of at least some of the material is dampened and/or minimized at the conveying speed.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for sorting material on a conveyor of a conveyor system, such as a conveyor system for material including non-ferrous metals. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt and a separator system. The conveyor belt is adapted to convey the material. The separator system includes a separator below the conveyor belt and is configured to selectively apply a separating force onto the material on the conveyor belt such that at least one piece of the material is lifted off of the conveyor belt. A method of sorting material on a conveyor belt includes receiving the material on the conveyor belt, conveying the material with the conveyor belt, and applying the separating force onto the material with the separator such that at least one piece of the material is lifted off of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A conveying system, such as a conveying system for material including non-ferrous metals, includes a conveying belt and a stabilizer. The conveying belt includes a conveying surface and is adapted to convey the material on the conveying surface. The stabilizer is configured to apply a stabilizing force onto the material on the conveyor belt such that the material is stabilized while being conveyed. A method of stabilizing material on a conveyor belt includes receiving the material on the conveying surface of the conveyor belt, conveying the material at a conveying speed with the conveyor belt, and applying the stabilizing force onto the material with a stabilizer such that vertical displacement of at least some of the material is dampened and/or minimized at the conveying speed.