Pacific Steel Mfg Introduces 8,000-tonne Press in Toyama

Pacific Steel Mfg, Japanese forging maker of Pacific Metals group, introduces an 8,000-tonne press machine at the end of December 2010 in Toyama works, Japan and starts the operation in early 2011. The investment totals around 6 billion yen. This is an open die forging machine available for high speed forging at 6,000 tonnes normally. The works aims to ship forged products at maximum 45 tonnes by utilizing the new machine with high grade stainless steels and alloys supplied by its VOD steel making equipment as well as its accumulated forging technology. The opening ceremony will be held in early-mid 2011.

Pacific Steel Mfg has enhanced its unique forging technology with a 4,300-tonne high speed press machine, introduced in 1971. Users’ demand is recently and globally increasing for above 40-tonne forged products. The firm decided to introduce a large-size press machine while to continue usage of the 4,300-tonne press machine for middle-size forged products.

Japanese forging makers are currently accelerating their investment to follow global demand growth for forged steel products.

Japan Casting & Forging Corp. introduced a 13,000-tonne press machine on October 5 which enables production of forged steel at maximum 650 tonnes from previous 500 tonnes.

Japan Steel Works, Japanese largest forging maker, plans capital expenditure at total 80 billion yen and recently completed construction of a new plant to forge large-size products with heating process inside Muroran works, Japan. The firm also started operation of a 14,000-tonne press machine recently, which is the second press machine for the firm. Toward fiscal 2011 ending in March 2012, the firm plans to increase production capacity of pressured container for atomic electric power plants to 12 sets per year from present 4 sets.

Sanyo Special Steel will introduce a 5,000-tonne open die forging machine in mid-late 2011 and meet the increasing demand for large size bearing steels applied to wind power generators.

Takasago works of Kobe Steel started the operation of a 10,000-tonne press machine with around 22 billion yen investment in July. Kobe Steel now can supply large size forging products for crank shaft of large size ships.