What’s the biggest hidden cost in your foundry? It’s probably not what you think. Watch this to find out how top foundries are saving time and money. This video explains why small inefficiencies in lancing could be costing your foundry more than you realize.
When you think about the biggest costs in your foundry, what comes to mind? Machine breakdowns? Labor expenses? Energy prices?
These are all significant, but the real cost drivers are often the ones you don’t see—the small inefficiencies that slowly drain time, money, and resources without anyone noticing. And one of the biggest culprits?
Thermal lancing.
Why Thermal Lancing Matters in Foundries
Thermal lances play a critical role in foundry operations. They are used to:
🔥 Open clogged nozzles in AOD and EAF processes
🔥 Cut through thick castings or scrap
🔥 Break up solidified slag and blockages
Most of the time, lancing isn’t a priority—until suddenly it is. And when you don’t have the right tools available, everything grinds to a halt.
The Hidden Costs of Inefficient Lancing
Even if you don’t think about lancing often, inefficiencies in how you source and use lances add up over time.
🚨 Outdated or Mismatched Lances – If you’re working with old, incompatible, or inconsistent lances, cutting takes longer, leading to wasted time and money.
📦 Stockpiling Wastes Capital – Many foundries buy in bulk to avoid supply issues, but that ties up cash in unused inventory and takes up valuable storage space.
💸 In-House Production Seems Cheaper—But Isn’t – Some foundries produce their own lances, thinking they’re saving money. But in reality:
• It pulls time and labor away from more valuable tasks.
• Quality fluctuates, leading to inefficiencies in cutting.
• Material and production costs often exceed what a specialized supplier can provide.
The Nightmare Scenario: What Happens When You Run Out?
Your foundry runs smoothly—until the day your supplier can’t deliver.
If you run out of lances, even for just a short time, production stops. Nozzles remain clogged, scrap piles up, and delays start costing tens of thousands of euros within hours.
This isn’t a theoretical risk—it happens. And top-performing foundries have learned from it.
The Smarter, More Reliable Solution
At Suomen Polttoleikkaus, we help foundries like SSAB and Outokumpu eliminate inefficiencies and secure their lancing supply.
✅ Guaranteed, On-Demand Supply – No more panic ordering or overstocking. Get exactly what you need, when you need it.
✅ Consistent Quality & Performance – No more juggling brands or dealing with mismatched tools that slow down operations.
✅ Lower Risk, Higher Efficiency – Reduce waste, free up cash flow, and keep production running without unnecessary interruptions.
Don’t Let a Small Issue Turn Into a Major Crisis
Lancing might not be the biggest part of your operation, but when it goes wrong, it can cause massive disruptions. The best foundries recognize this—and take steps to ensure their supply is reliable, efficient, and cost-effective.
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