Tomorrow Technologies - an ALTEK strategic partner - creates fully automated, multifunctional systems for skimming, cleaning and stirring all types of furnace. Payback with this technology is typically less than one year.

ALTEK has a licence agreement with TT Tomorrow Technology of Italy that allows TT to produce ALTEK dross presses for Italy, Greece, Egypt, Israel and Turkey and also allows ALTEK to produce their furnace tending machines in the USA.

Traditionally, forklift trucks equipped with homemade tools are used in the aluminum industry to carry out routine furnace operations such as skimming and cleaning. This takes several hours per day and the results are both inconsistent and completely reliant on the judgment and skill of the operator.

There are several major costs with the forklift system - including reduced furnace productivity, lost metal units and increased furnace energy consumption, plus safety implications for the operator.

TT Automated Tending Machines save money by automating the processes and removing operator variability, leading to increased production and lower losses.

• Improved operator safety