Hot Off the Press

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New Beckwood Press Application
Integrates Multi-Stage Tooling

Beckwood Press Co., Fenton, MO, has recently integrated a multiple-stage tooling application for a deep-draw stamper that resulted in a 38-percent cost reduction from a traditional system. The Beckwood solution reduced a three-to-four-stage tooling design into two stages. It constructed a 200-ton hydraulic press for a manufacturer of skylights. Learn more at www.beckwoodpress.com (type 186 on the site’s search engine).

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Sharon Custom Metal Forming (SCMF)
Acquires Wheatland Roll Forming Division

SCMF Inc., Hermitage, PA, has purchased the assets of Wheatland Tube’s Roll Forming Division, Warren, OH. The division’s production equipment and tooling will be relocated, including 15 roll-forming lines, several secondary presses and other ancillary equipment, and a large bank of tooling. The Wheatland division had specialized in heavy-gauge roll-formed parts and complex light-gauge lock-seamed sections. With the acquisition, SCFM now offers production of material thicknesses to 0.375 in. and widths to 40 in. In separate news, SCFM has begun expansion into a new 85,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility in Farrell, PA, and plans to add 20 new employees in 2003.

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Mitsubishi Taps Fagor for Tandem Line

Mitsubishi Motors of Australia Ltd. has selected Fagor Arrasate, Bensenville, IL, to supply a AA-class tandem-press line at Mitsubishi’s new press facilities in Adelaide, Australia. The mechanical-press line consists of two 2400-ton and two 800-ton units and will produce skin parts such as body sides, doors and roofs. Fagor teamed with ABB to automate part transfer, destacking, automatic tool change and automatic racking via robots. For more, visit www.fagorarrasate.com.

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