From start to finish, the production of metal products is one of the most energy-intensive industries in the world.

Automation within forges and heat-treating facilities often consists of individually controlled processes for individual pieces of equipment, such as furnace heating or press operation cycles. Individual processes can be controlled at a Level I protocol. Full cell automation consolidates these automated steps and implements a central Level II control system, which is designed using a combination of Windows services and model-view-controller (MVC) architecture.

U.S.-based suppliers can optimize processes, uptime and cost for the long haul with responsive expertise and readily available parts and service.

Andritz received an order from Thyssenkrupp rothe erde (Xuzhou) Ring Mill Co. Ltd. to supply eight chamber forging furnaces for its plant in Xuzhou, China. Thyssenkrupp rothe erde manufactures slewing bearings and seamless rolled rings used in applications ranging from industrial machinery, automotive engineering and aerospace facilities to wind turbines and tunnel-boring machines. Andritz’s scope of supply includes engineering, manufacturing, electrical equipment and automation software. The furnaces will include low-NOx burners that will minimize emissions and fuel consumption. Start-up is scheduled for the first quarter of 2022.

Forging plays a crucial role in providing a critical link between metal suppliers (both ferrous and nonferrous) and end-user industries. Over the past 20 years, fundamental forces have challenged the industry.

Remix S.A. commissioned a gas-fired rotary-hearth furnace to a forging manufacturer in Poland.

Weber Metals Inc. of Paramount, Calif., ordered two furnaces as part of its 60,000-ton press expansion project.

Alcoa Titanium & Engineered Products will invest more than $8 million to expand its aerospace forging capabilities at its Martinsville, Va., plant.

Saudi Aramco signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with GE and Italy’s Cividale SpA to build a high-end forging and casting manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia.