Homogenization plant ensures high product quality
Aluminium Lend GmbH is investing 2 million Euros in the new construction of the homogenization plant on the Söderbergplatz in Lend. In May 2012, the homogenization plant was commissioned for cast blocks for the manufacture of our PLANCAST® plates and it now ensures high and stable product quality with immediate effect.
The heat treatment of cast blocks is necessary as stresses arise in the material due to the rapid cooling of the molten mass during continuous casting. These stresses are eliminated at temperatures of over 400°C and holding times of several hours. The result of this time-consuming annealing process is the assurance of low-stress materials which retain their shape during further processing. It is only in this way that the mechanical production of high precision components is facilitated with our customers.
We are thus in a position to perform all quality-relevant process steps for the manufacture of low-stress cast blocks for plate manufacture in-house. This affects the formats which are now produced in series. However, due to the great flexibility of the plant layout we are also ideally equipped for future developments and market requirements. The new heat treatment plant is thus constructed for cast blocks up to 2.5 m wide and 7.5 m long.
Cutting edge safety standards
All of the construction works for the new hall have been executed and implemented as a joint project between the companies ATC and Heinrich Bau.
The homogenization plant itself has been planned, constructed, supplied, assembled and commissioned by a renowned German plant supplier of BSN. The plant is fully automated by ultramodern control technology and complies with state-of-the-art safety standards. This is also monitored by an external verification by TÜV Salzburg.
During full operation, up to 15,000 tonnes annually of crude bars are heat-treated in the new homogenization plant and thus prepared for further processing into cast plates at our plant in Schwarzach. The daily throughput of approximately 50 tonnes of cast blocks enables us to ensure that our customers are continually supplied to the customary high quality standards.
Aluminium Lend GmbH wants to further expand its position on the aluminium market with this large investment. The investment aims to secure jobs in Lend and obtain added value for product heat treatment for Aluminium Lend GmbH. It is particularly worth mentioning the energy-saving construction of the new plant compared to the existing homogenization in plant III. Besides, over half a million HGV transportation kilometres are saved every year. This provides considerable relief to the environment.
