December 02, 2008

Western Extrusions orders aluminum extrusion press

Texas based Western Extrusions Corp has placed an order with SMS Meer for the supply of a 75/80 million aluminum extrusion press. The Schloemann front loading press has an extrusion force of 8,000 t and a billet charge weight of up to 630 kilogram and is the largest machine of this kind that SMS Meer has built to date in North America. It will be used for the production of high quality extruded aluminum profiles for the transport and automotive industry.

The extrusion press ordered from SMS Meer will be built as a shortstroke front loading press. In the meantime front loading presses have established themselves as the standard on the extrusion press market. The advantages of this design are the compact, sturdy frame and the short cylinder strokes with the associated high productivity thanks to short idle times and the high product quality thanks to the centric loading of the aluminum billet inside the press. The new extrusion press is scheduled to go into operation in spring 2010.

Western Extrusions is thereby expanding its product spectrum and strengthening its market position. The company was founded back in 1979, is still family owned even today and has 600 employees. Western Extrusions is one of the leading producers of extruded profiles for use in the construction sector, transport and industry. Western Extrusions is, for example, one of the largest manufacturers of aluminum seats for sports stadia.