A sinter strand runs continuously, dragging pallet cars loaded with burning material across windboxes pulling air down through the bed the entire time. Grate bars burn out, windbox seals wear, and pallet car wheels take a beating from the heat and the constant cycling. This checklist covers the points worth checking on every daily round. Sign up to turn this checklist into a recurring digital inspection for your sinter plant.
5 Systems
Core sinter plant systems worth checking on every inspection round
100+ Cars
Typical number of pallet cars cycling continuously on a sinter strand
Daily
Minimum frequency recommended for a full strand walk-around
Zero Skips
Tolerance for missed windbox leak checks, since air loss cuts sinter quality fast
Why Sinter Plants Wear Differently Than Other Equipment
Every pallet car on the strand cycles through intense heat and then cools, over and over, thousands of times a year. That constant thermal cycling is what drives grate bar burnout and windbox seal wear, which is why a daily walk focused on these specific failure points catches problems the process data alone won't show.
Strand & Pallet Car Checks
Grate Bar Condition
Check for burnt-out, warped, or missing grate bars across a sample of pallet cars each round
Pallet Car Wheel & Axle Wear
Inspect wheels and axles for wear or cracking that could cause a car to jump the rail
Strand Drive & Chain Tension
Confirm drive chain tension is within spec and listen for any grinding or slipping sound
Never Miss A Sinter Plant Inspection Again
Oxmaint turns this checklist into a recurring digital route, capturing readings against each system so drift over time is easy to spot. Sign up for a free trial to build your sinter plant inspection route, or book a demo to see it in action.
Windbox & Ignition Furnace Checks
Windbox Seal Condition
Check side seals between pallet cars and windboxes for gaps that let false air in and cut suction
Windbox Draft Pressure
Compare draft pressure across windboxes to spot one that's underperforming versus its neighbours
Ignition Furnace Burners
Check burner flame and refractory condition inside the ignition hood for even coverage across the bed width
What An Abnormal Reading Might Be Telling You
| What You Notice |
Possible Cause |
| Falling draft on one windbox |
Worn side seal letting false air in around that section of the strand |
| Frequent grate bar burnout in one zone |
Uneven bed temperature or ignition coverage concentrating heat there |
| Pallet car running rough on the rail |
Worn wheel flange or axle bearing nearing end of life |
| Uneven sinter colour across the bed |
Ignition furnace burners not covering the full bed width evenly |
Where A CMMS Fits Into Sinter Plant Inspections
Oxmaint turns this checklist into a recurring digital route, logging grate bar, windbox, and pallet car readings against the strand asset so a failing zone gets flagged before it drags down sinter quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q
How often should a sinter strand be inspected?
A daily walk covering grate bars, pallet cars, and windbox seals is standard practice, since these components wear continuously under constant thermal cycling.
Q
Why does a windbox seal leak affect sinter quality?
A leaking seal lets false air bypass the sinter bed instead of being drawn through it, reducing suction and leading to inconsistent sintering in that section of the strand.
Q
Can a CMMS track grate bar and pallet car wear over time?
Yes, a CMMS can log condition readings against individual pallet cars and windbox zones, making it easier to see which sections are wearing faster and need attention sooner.
Turn This Checklist Into A Route Your Team Follows Every Day
Oxmaint schedules this sinter plant inspection as a recurring digital route, capturing readings and trends automatically. Sign up for a free trial to build your sinter plant inspection route, or book a demo to see it in action.
