Expansion of capacity at titanium producer WST

Western Superconducting Technologies Co. Ltd., (WST), headquartered in Xian, in Shaanxi Province, China, has successfully put into service a 63/80-MN two-column high-speed push-down open-die forging press supplied by SMS group. The supply also included two integrated rail bound 25-ton manipulators and a mobile eight-ton loading and unloading manipulator. The Chinese company is now able to flexibly manufacture various high-quality products for its customers from the aerospace industry, for example. The new high-speed press forges extremely precisely and reliably, with a maximum press force of 63 MN and an upsetting force of 80 MN. Thanks to the advanced hydraulic and control systems installed, the new open-die forging press forges highly demanding and temperature-sensitive materials such as titanium and titanium alloys in a technologically perfect way. The two integrated rail bound forging manipulators handle the forgings weighing up to 25 tons accurately to the millimeter and perfectly synchronously with the press stroke, even at very high stroke rates. The double rail-bound manipulators enable WST to boost their throughput of forgings.

“SMS group has fulfilled our expectations in all respects: in terms of technology, deadlines, quality and solution competence. The new open-die forging press produces excellent titanium products, enabling our company to make a valuable contribution to the progress of the Chinese aerospace industry,” says Mr. Changhu Peng, Vice General Manager of Western Superconducting Technologies.

Source and photo: SMS group