New 25,000-square-foot bay increases quenching/tempering capacity for rings up to 144 in. diameter
Seamless ring producer McInnes Rolled Rings completed an $8-million, 25,000-square-foot expansion at its plant in Erie, PA, enhancing the scope of its heat-treating capability to include quenching/tempering forged parts up to 144 in. diameter. The manufacturer’s announcement indicated the new capacity would significantly expand its daily tonnage capacity, and “ensure the fastest delivery times available in the industry.”
The new systems started up on March 1.
McInnes Rolled Rings started operation in 1992 and produces seamless rolled rings exclusively. Its product line includes rings weighing up to 10,000 lb., and ranging in size from 4 to 144 in. (100 to 3,660 mm), in carbon, alloy, and stainless steel grades.
The production capabilities include a Wagner 63/63 radial axial ring-rolling mill and a 1,200-ton Erie Press machine for rolled ring preforms are installed in the original, 60,000-ft2 building. Quenching and tempering capabilities were installed in 1996. In 2003, a smaller Wagner KFRW 630 ring mill was added, and in 2012 a custom-designed, 3,500-ton Erie Press Systems blanking press supplied and 160/160 SMS radial-axial ring rolling machine were added.
The 2012 expansion included a 60,000-square-foot addition to the original plant.
The new heat-treating installation was installed in a separate bay that include high-agitation water and polymer quench tanks.
The heat-treating furnaces was designed and built by Can-Eng Furnaces Intl. Ltd. A customized material handling system was developed by Dango & Dienthal Hollerbach GmbH, and is capable of processing loads up to 25 tons.
“This new bay nearly doubles our quenched and tempered offerings to the power transmission industry and adds the ability to solution anneal large diameter stainless steel rings. Also, the addition of water quenching improves our ability to meet the high property demands of the custom flange markets,” according to Shawn O’Brien, McInness Rolled Rings vice president, Sales & Marketing.
