Abstract: In a method for automated maintenance by means of a robot the precise position of a metallurgical vessel and a sliding closure (10) at the maintenance location is automatically determined and thereafter a drive is mounted by this on the sliding closure (10). The sliding closure is then released by the drive and at least one refractory closure plate (19, 21) can be inserted by the robot into a slider unit (20) and in a housing (11) of the sliding closure (10) or can be removed from this. It is possible to change from this automated maintenance by the robot to a manual maintenance of the sliding closure (10) at the maintenance location and vice versa. During automated maintenance, the closure plates (19, 21) are inserted together with a cassette (15, 25) into the housing (11) and into the slider unit (20) or are removed from this.