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Ferguson Metals to Expand

Specialty-alloy supplier Ferguson Metals, Hamilton, OH, plans to add 39,000 sq. ft. to its existing 63,000-sq.-ft. facility, in November 2005. The firm supplies stainless steels and high-temperature alloys. It’s online at www.fergusonmetals.com

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Volvo/Gothenburg Upgrades Press Line,
Increases Stroke Rate

The Volvo manufacturing plant in Gothenburg, Sweden, has successfully integrated a set of UniFeeder press-line automation units into a five-press autobody-panel stamping line that is yielding an average increase in speed of one stroke per minute, as well as substantially reducing downtime for equipment maintenance. UniFeeders, two-axis programmable press-handling units from Swedish manufacturer Binar AB, function as destackers, inter-press handlers and stacking units. Volvo appreciates having one basic unit for all three activities, easing spare-parts inventory, maintenance, training and user-friendliness. As an inter-press feeder, the unit comprises a UniFeeder with a double tool bar and an idle station between presses. This setup, says Binar, leaves a large amount of floor space between the presses to ease changeout of the tool bar and die. UniFeeders have a rated load capacity, including tooling, of 200 kg, and a maximum horizontal stroke length of 10 m. For detailed UniFeeder specifications and schematic drawings illustrating several sample automated press-line layouts, surf to www.binar.se (click on the tiny British flag in the upper-right-hand corner to view the site in English.)

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Mexican Steel Company to Expand U.S. Operations

Through its Steelscape Inc. U.S. unit, Mexican conglomerate Grupo Imsa plans to spend $200 million to strengthen its position in the U.S. steel industry. The first stage would involve relocating its pre-painted and galvanized-steel operations to Shreveport, LA, from Richmond, CA, scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2006. In the second stage, Imsa plans to add new U.S. mills, including operations for cold rolling and pickling, and for production of galvanized steel.

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