New forging press for large ship parts

Kobe Steel says that it has invested about 22 billion yen to enlarge the forging section’s south plant to house an entire production line. In addition to the new press, a manipulator, heating furnace, heat treatment furnace, crane and other equipment were installed. Construction of the press began in April 2008.

The new press is designed to produce large and long steel forgings at high speeds with high precision. The company says that the press has the capability to manufacture nearly all varieties of large forged products for ships. It gives Kobe Steel a total of three free-forging presses. Forged products for ships will be manufactured mainly by the new press and the existing 4,000 tonne press. Ultra-large forgings that require higher forging capacity will be made by the 13,000 tonne press.

Kobe Steel says that its steel casting and forging business has been a core business of the company for over 100 years. The new press is the biggest capital investment since the 13,000 tonne press was installed in 1975.

With the start-up of the new press, the company says that it will be able to supply higher quality steel cast and forged products and to better respond to future market demands.

The three forging presses are:

• New press, 10,000 tonne, high speed, high precision forgings for large ship parts;
• Current large press, 13,000 tonne, low speed, high pressing force, for ultra-large forgings that require high forging capacity;
• Current small press, 4,000 tonne, ultra-high speed, high precision forgings for small-to-medium size ship parts