With an increasing demand for components and a busy R&D-department working on new lightweight parts for automotive, they needed additional dosing capabilities that don’t take up too much space. Westomat Duo provided the perfect answer.
A super “space-to-benefit ratio” too good to resist
The Handtmann light metal casting division produces high quality magnesium and aluminum castings for leading automotive manufacturers and suppliers. The production site Annaberg in Germany is one of its busiest, producing around 16,000 tons of castings in 2024. With 21 casting lines in full-time operation, space is at a premium. This was a key factor in the company’s recent purchase of a new Westomat Duo, it’s fifth to date.
Heiko Blei, plant manager at Handtmann Leichtmetallgießerei Annaberg comments: “In our view, Westomat Duo offers the best space-to-benefit ratio on the market. Like all Westomat furnaces, melt quality and dosing accuracy are extremely high, but Westomat Duo’s unique dual pouring position design means it offers additional benefits. Positioning the Westomat parallelly to the die casting machine cuts the footprint required by around 14 %, meaning we can boost resources without impacting on our hall layout. We love it!”
Dosing that makes daily tasks much simpler
Space saving isn’t the only reason why Handtmann chose the Westomat Duo. There’s much more to this small but mighty furnace. With two potential openings for the riser tube, sampling can be carried out with greater speed and ease, using the riser tube opening not in operation.
Heiko Blei adds: “On top of these benefits, Westomat Duo’s pneumatic base means we simply ‘lift and tilt’ – no chassis or rails are needed for positioning. It’s very easy to operate.”
A sustainable partnership – in more ways than one
With five StrikoMelter melting furnaces, fifteen Westomat Classic and four Westomat Duo dosing furnaces already in operation at Annaberg, and a relationship spanning over 20 years, Handtmann and StrikoWestofen’s partnership has stood the test of time. For good reason.
Heiko Blei comments: “We are innovators. So is StrikoWestofen. We know they will always help us meet the needs of our customers – however those needs change over the years. The excellent technical support we receive is part of that. As is their commitment to saving energy. It’s built into their furnaces and their ethos as a business. For us, the Handtmann light metal casting division seeking to CO2-neutral by 2039, this is hugely valuable. I’ve no doubt we will continue to work with StrikoWestofen for many more years to come.”
Source: ArcelorMittal
