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Mettis Aerospace, a designer and manufacturer of precision forged and machined aerospace components, last month launched construction of a new, 40-mt counter-blow hammer press at its plant in Redditch, England. The project is anticipated as one of the largest forging presses in the U.K., and described by Mettis as its largest capital investment in several decades, and will allow the producer to manufacture specialty alloy forgings weighing up to 750 kg.
This Bêché press, called the DG40, will be able to forge components up to 1.80x0.65 m, enhancing the plant’s current forging capabilities, which includes more than 60 forging units of up to 12,000 mt.
Bêché is the brand name for a line of counter-blow hammer machines designed and supplied by Schuler AG for manufacturing large and ultra-large forgings. The DG series incorporates a pneumatic drive concept that allows very high forging energy levels, while the sturdiness of the uprights and a solid guide system promotes high precision during forging.
“There’s always a great sense of anticipation at Mettis every time new technology arrives on site,” according to CEO Gordon Fraser. “Recently, we’ve invested heavily in our state-of-the art machining division and laboratory, in particular, and now it’s great to be taking delivery of the first new press in over 30 years, as part of our significant growth plans.”
Foundation work is in progress at the Redditch plant, an integrated operation. The new press is expected to be in production by summer 2018.
