The present invention is an apparatus and method for the direct reduction of iron oxide utilizing a rotary hearth furnace to form a high purity carbon-containing iron metal button. The center conductor includes a female socket for receiving an exposed inner conductor of a coaxial cable, and a compression member compresses the female socket to seize the inner conductor as the back nut is secured to the outer body. The data processor is operatively arranged to request access to a remotely accessible information source on the basis of identification data. The second particle interceptor is disposed between the cut portions to prevent particles from infiltrating into the first particle interceptor. The method is also useful for shadow casting and for determining the location of an image-capturing device within a volume.