Released on April 18, 2011

ThyssenKrupp Waupaca (TKW), Waupaca, Wis., has completed a two-year program to upgrade the pouring systems in its Plant 1 metalcasting facility.

The company has installed six new pouring mechanisms provided by Viking Technologies, Madison Heights, Mich. The final system was installed in February. The completion of the upgrade has allowed Plant 1 to have all six pouring lines operating the same system for the first time.

The new lines are laser-based automatic pouring systems manufactured by Koins Ltd. Inc.  The version of the systems installed at TKW’s Plant 1 includes mold mapping, cooling control and host interfacing, which allows the plant to keep track of all poured molds, ensure proper cooling, and transfer data to and from the pouring system.
 
In addition to Plant 1, TKW operates two other metalcasting facilities in Waupaca, as well as one in Marinette, Wis., Tell City, Ind., and Etowah, Tenn. According to company President Gary Gigante, TKW’s sales have strengthened in all market sectors and are expected to reach pre-recession levels in 2011. The company has several other major capital investments, mostly focused on automation, planned for the near future.