Youngstown, Ohio Patent of the Year – 2024/2025
Brilex Technical Solutions LLC has been awarded the 2024/2025 Patent of the Year for a major innovation in steel processing. Their invention, detailed in U.S. Patent No. 11883869, titled ‘Butt retrieval system’, introduces an automated method to recover and recycle discarded ends of steel billets during production.
The new system addresses a longstanding challenge in continuous steel casting. When billet ends, or “butts,” are cut off during processing, they typically drop to the ground and are manually collected. This slows production, poses safety risks, and leads to material waste.
Brilex’s patented solution uses mechanical arms and guided transport to automatically retrieve these billet butts and return them to a processing area. The system can identify, lift, and relocate hot or heavy metal pieces with minimal human intervention. This boosts safety and reduces downtime.
Designed for seamless integration into existing steel mill operations, the system not only saves labor costs but also improves material efficiency. The collected butts can be reprocessed, lowering scrap rates and maximizing steel utilization. The invention has potential applications across multiple high-output metalworking industries.
Brilex Technical Solutions LLC continues to lead in industrial innovation with technologies that enhance performance, safety, and sustainability in heavy manufacturing environments.