Custom Specialty Metals and Alloys Manufacturer Announces Upgrades to their Production Line

Elgiloy Specialty Metals in Elgin, Illinois, recently worked on a project with Siemens, embracing continuous improvement by modernizing a used tension leveler, which is a machine that improves material flatness and shape. The company states that the benefits of this process include greater throughput, improved yields, reduced inspection, and lower overall cost. Those who need more information can contact Elgiloy Specialy Metals (ESM) through their official website.

"This new addition to our manufacturing equipment gives us the means to provide a better product to our customers. It also gives us the confidence to quote orders with more demanding requirements," states James Darrow, Production Manager with ESM.

The Illinois precision strip rerolling mill serves customers in the aerospace, automotive, chemical processing, and medical device industries, as well as other markets where high performance alloys are required. Material specifications in these markets demand exceptional quality. Darrow states that the company's tension leveler is another milestone in its commitment to supplying customers with the best materials available from its precision strip operations.

Due to the completely upgraded used tension leveler from its machine base, ESM reports that they, along with Siemens, were able to incorporate 21st century technology. Darrow states that the effort proved to be cost effective and allowed the company to incorporate the design criteria into mechanical and electronic functions. The additions are said to have greatly enhanced the ability of the machine operator to adjust functions to produce the very best quality. Retrofitting saved Elgiloy roughly 40% off the cost of a new machine.

"ESM engineers visited the manufacturer and determined the unit would meet all the requirements needed in a tension leveler with some major upgrading," states Darrow. "A cost analysis determined this was a great opportunity. We purchased the unit knowing we would need to make the changes."

Elgiloy selected the service team from Siemens, stating that while there were other companies considered, Siemens was the clear choice. The decision to choose Siemens was made because Elgiloy's engineers were very familiar with the Siemens PLC control systems, and they had positive experiences with the company's engineering team from prior projects. Those interested can learn more about Siemens at the company's website.

"Incorporating mechanical upgrades along with safety systems took a lot of teamwork. We all learned a lot from this and will use the same format on other projects," explains Ryan Hill, Project Engineer at ESM. "Although mechanical design does change over time, each situation needs to be well thought through. In this case, it was absolutely the right decision on retrofitting a used piece of equipment."

With the addition of a tension leveler with 21st Century technology, ESM states that they can process materials to meet very demanding requirements and to benefit all customers.