Saying goodbye to manual zinc stripping, a fully automated zinc‑stripping complete set of equipment has been put into industrial use at Yuguang Gold & Lead.

On November 8, the fully automated zinc‑stripping complete set of equipment, independently developed by Yuguang Gold & Lead Metallurgical Machinery Co., Ltd., officially completed its trial and commissioning phase and commenced topcoat application. This marks the successful conclusion of the R&D stage for the fully automated zinc‑stripping system and its transition into the industrial application phase.

On November 8, the fully automated zinc‑stripping complete set of equipment, independently developed by Yuguang Gold & Lead Metallurgical Machinery Company, officially completed its trial and commissioning phase and commenced topcoat application. This marks the successful conclusion of the R&D stage for the fully automated zinc‑stripping system and its transition into the industrial application phase.
In the wet‑process zinc electrolysis workshop, heavy acid mist, harsh working conditions, and the physically demanding task of manual zinc stripping have long been recognized as persistent industry‑wide challenges. The development and implementation of a fully automated zinc‑stripping system not only elevates the company’s level of equipment automation but also significantly reduces workers’ physical workload and enhances their working environment.
In late November 2014, the Metallurgical Machinery Company initiated research and development of this equipment set. After a year of feasibility studies, design refinement, and manufacturing and assembly, self‑initiated integrated commissioning commenced in November 2015. As this was the company’s first undertaking to develop a large‑scale, complete set of equipment, and with neither prior experience nor dedicated specialists, the company established a platform for its young designers, leveraging project‑based R&D to cultivate talent. Faced with challenges, the entire organization rallied, forming an R&D and testing team and selecting seasoned designers and technical leaders to join it. Despite inclement weather—rain and snow—the R&D team conducted extensive plate‑carrying tests under adverse conditions, proactively identifying and resolving issues. During the critical commissioning phase, daily afternoon briefings at 4 p.m., attended by company leadership, were held to discuss the day’s problems, devise solutions, and assign specific milestones and responsible parties. Whether related to the knife‑opening/closing mechanism, the hook configuration of the transverse conveyor, the structure of the transfer unit, the control program, or the timing of individual process steps—no issue, no matter how minor, went unresolved. Ultimately, the company successfully completed the development of the first‑generation automated zinc‑stripping complete equipment system.
Company leadership has consistently kept the R&D progress of the fully automatic zinc‑stripping complete set of equipment at the forefront of their attention, visiting the experimental site of the automated zinc‑stripping unit more than ten times to provide guidance. On October 18, Chairman Yang Anguo and his delegation once again visited the test site for the second‑generation fully automatic zinc‑stripping system, carefully inquiring about the trial’s progress and observing a demonstration of the unit under load. Chairman Yang Anguo outlined the strengths and weaknesses of comparable foreign products from South Korea, Japan, and other countries, praising the team: “Your system outperforms theirs—more suitable and slightly more advanced.” Addressing certain issues encountered during testing, he emphasized, “New product development takes time; mistakes are inevitable. We can leverage the company’s production platform to install and operate the equipment first, making adjustments as we go and continuously refining it through practical application.” In addition, Chairman Yang Anguo issued specific instructions on improving the equipment’s aesthetic quality and refining its design details, noting that the new system must not only deliver robust functionality and high practicality but also look appealing and be pleasing to the eye. He added that meticulous attention to such details often resonates more deeply with customers, helping to win their favor.
The fully automatic zinc‑stripping complete set of equipment is the first integrated system independently developed by the Metallurgical Machinery Company. Its successful development holds significant importance in the company’s history: first, it has validated the design and R&D capabilities of the company’s young team; second, the project has further nurtured and strengthened the team, elevating its R&D expertise, thereby serving as both a benchmark and a catalyst for enhancing the company’s overall competence; and third, it has charted a clear path for the company’s future growth and bolstered its confidence.
To expedite the on-site installation and commissioning of the fully automated zinc‑stripping complete set of equipment, the Metallurgical Machinery Company has developed a meticulous schedule and maintained active communication with the relevant departments of the Zinc Industry Company. On October 23, the machinery company moved into Plant No. 3 of the Zinc Industry Company to commence construction, leveraging production downtimes to carry out overtime installation work. With the concerted efforts of the Zinc Industry Company’s related units, the civil‑engineering portion of the project and the installation of the unit foundations have now been completed, and the ground anti‑corrosion treatment is nearing completion. The system is expected to be commissioned by November 30.