Timken Selects Mitsubishi For Forge Press Equipment

The Timken Company has announced its selection of Japan-based Mitsubishi Nagasaki Machinery Mfg. Co., LTD to supply an automated, in-line forge press for Timken's Faircrest Steel Plant in Canton, OH. Timken expects the press, scheduled to begin operating in early 2013, to increase its steel manufacturing capacity and enhance the company's product portfolio.

Mitsubishi will supply the sophisticated, high-volume in-line press and material handling system, to be installed-upstream from the existing rolling mill at the Faircrest facility. As Mitsubishi's first such installation in the United States, the Timken system will provide unique processing capabilities to further enhance bar quality and yield, according to Tom Moline, Timken's vice president of steel manufacturing.

"Over the past year, we have experienced a tremendous increase in demand for Timken high-quality steel products," says Moline. "The addition of this press will bring greater differentiation and ultimately expand our capacity to supply the highest quality product to our customers."

Timken will use the 3,000-ton press to enhance the consistency of properties of its special bar quality steel. Combined with the company's recent investments in large bar inspection, this new forging capability will reinforce Timken's position as the premier provider of sound-center large bars of up to 16 in. in diameter.