TappingMate™
Industry challenge
Tapping Area
- Extreme heat, gases, dust and smoke creates an unfavourable work environment
- Electric noise and magnetic fields
Solution:
TappingMate
- Improved efficiency and reduced tapping time
- Improved working conditions and HSEQ (reduced dust, emissions, energy waste and material waste)
- Significant cost savings
- Improved furnace efficiency and tapping process
- Improved tapping accuracy and increased process control
Overview of TappingMate
Automated Tapping Solution for Smelters
- Automatic tool change, tap hole plugging, drilling and maintenance tools for tapping hole.
- Comprehensive control system wich makes the TappingMate easy to operate in a stable, precise and safe way
- In commercial sale Q2 2025, passing the SAT at Elkem.
- Developed in collaboration with Elkem, Sintef, Applica, Pioneer Robotics and Kunnskapsparken Helgeland
- Globally we have identified around 1,000 smelters which represents the total market for TappingMate
- MOMEK design, customize, produce, install, and do service and support
TappingMate has a payback time of 2-3 years
Illustration of potential cost reduction.
TappingMate is made for large Industrial Metal Smelter Companies
TappingMate with protection
Operation at Elkem Rana
Elkem
TappingMate in operation at Elkem Rana
Current Tapping Procedure
Harsh conditions and manual labor.
TappingMate at MOMEK Robotics LAB
Visit from Elkem.
MOMEK TappingMate FAT
Torbjørn Moi, R&D Manager, MOMEK Robotics, operating the TappingMate through a thouchscreen.
Bjørn Audun Risøy, CEO, MOMEK TappingMate
At FAT at MOMEK Robotics Test Lab.
TappingMate at MOMEK Robotics LAB
Testing the robot.
AIMe02_P1049708_PHOTO_Kent-Erik_Sjursen
TappingMate_elkem_IAT
TappingMate Factory Acceptance Test
TappingMate at MOMEK Robotics LAB
Testing the robot.
In May 2024, a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) was conducted together with Elkem in MOMEK Robotics’ Test Lab. This is to ensure that the solution is ready to be transferred to Elkem’s production for real operation.
In collaboration with Elkem, MOMEK Robotics conducted an Internal Acceptance Test (IAT) at its Test Lab just before Christmas 2024 to assess various functionalities, contributing to safer, higher-quality, and more environmentally friendly industrial solutions.
Successful Site Acceptance Test (SAT) at Elkem Rana during april 2025. This proves that TappingMate works as expected in operation in harsh conditions. This is a substantial milestone.
Development Partners
Elkem ASA is a global leader in advanced silicon-based materials, headquartered in Oslo, Norway. Founded in 1904, it has grown into one of the world’s top providers of silicones, silicon products, and carbon solutions, with over 7,200 employees and 31 production sites worldwide. Elkem is an essential development partner in the TappingMate project.
Pioneer Robotics has been working with MOMEK on the TappingMate project to deliver robotic automation, sensor integration, machine vision, and tool systems to automate the tapping process from furnaces.
SINTEF supports with research in advanced technology development, focusing on sensor systems, machine vision, and AI-driven control. SINTEF’s work on learning-based decision systems brings knowledge for semi-autonomous operation under industrial constraints defined by MOMEK and Elkem.
Applica provides with expertise in 2D/3D/laser vision, sensor integration, and modular software to the MOMEK TappingMate solution, helping make the robot system smarter, more flexible, and easier to integrate in an industrial environment.
Kunnskapsparken Helgeland (KPH) is a regional innovation partner, facilitating collaboration, funding alignment and knowledge exchange between MOMEK, Elkem, and partners. Their involvement helps strengthen competence and industrial innovation, and ensure that the project creates long-term value.
Customers
Elkem is an essential partner in the development of TappingMate.
Contacts
MOMEK Group is a provider of a wide variety of services and products, and operates across several markets. Our markets are the process industry, contractor, mining, oil and gas, aquaculture, renewable energy and infrastructure.
Our headquarter and main workshop is in Northern Norway, with workshops in Melbu, Mosjøen and Gällivare Sweden, offices in Tromsø, and branches in Lithuania and Romania.
MOMEK Group, Box 523, 8601 Mo i Rana, NORWAY
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