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Saarschmiede Inaugurates Open-Die Forging Press from SMS Meer
Jul. 22, 2010 Saarschmiede GmbH, of Völklingen, Germany, recently commissioned the 120-MN open-die forging press supplied by SMS Meer.
The open-die forging press has a press force of 12,000 tonnes and can forge at up to 1280°C. The forged products are primarily large shafts for driving turbines and generators in nuclear, coal-fired, and gas-fired power stations. The shafts produced on this open-die forging press are said to be able to withstand higher temperature and pressure conditions.
The forging press is installed in a 15.5-m deep pit and is driven by 16 hydraulic pumps with 120,000 L of oil. Two DDS manipulators with a carry force of 100 and 200 tonnes move the forgings synchronously. The new bay is 530 m long and 43 m high.
Dr. Klaus Harste, CEO of parent company Saarstahl AG, praised the new plant: “This is a great day for Saarstahl. We are writing a new chapter in the history of our company. Not only does the forge safeguard our leading position on the world market; it also enables us to expand our market share yet further.”
About €450 million have been invested in the industrial plant, and 350 new jobs have been created. According to the Saar State Bank, a co-financer of the project, this is one of the biggest investments in the Saarland in recent decades.
SMS Meer GmbH is a company of the SMS group, which is, under the holding SMS GmbH, a group of companies internationally active in plant construction and mechanical engineering for the steel and nonferrous metals industry. It comprises the two Business Areas SMS Siemag and SMS Meer. In 2009, some 9000 employees worldwide generated a turnover of more than EUR 3.8 billion.