An SMS Meer 80-100 meganewton open-die forging press was formally inaugurated at the Wetzlar Works of Buderus Edelstahl in Germany. The press can be operated with both 8,000 tons of press force and, in the slower upsetting cycle, with 10,000 tons of press force. With this new press, Buderus Edelstahl can forge large workpieces with a diameter of almost 4 meters. Such heavy components are used in power generation engineering and special machine engineering.

The forging machine also includes a new manipulator with a carrying force of 250 metric tons. The control panels were designed to match those of the existing presses, thus reducing training and permitting flexible personnel deployment. Buderus has also recently installed eight new 350-ton forging furnaces and one 300-ton forging furnace.