A new vacuum arc remelting (VAR) furnace has been lifted into position at Castings Technology’s new £18m factory in Sheffield.
The multi-million pound furnace is the largest of its type in commercial use in the UK and one of the largest in the world.
It is used for producing high-integrity titanium alloy castings for mission-critical applications in aerospace, energy and industrial sectors.
The furnace uses latest VAR technology to melt material from a titanium electrode at precise weights and temperatures. The molten metal is subsequently poured into a ceramic mould and spun utilising centrifugal force to fill the mould under controlled pressure, enabling the production of castings with thinner, more precise wall sections than static casting methods alone allow.
This is a significant moment for Castings Technology. The new furnace represents a major step forward in our manufacturing capability and reflects the scale of our ambition as we move into our new home in Sheffield.
Richard Cook, Managing Director, Castings Technology
Developed in collaboration with the supplier, the furnace features an automated loading system, with parts and moulds transported on a bogie rather than loaded manually or by forklift truck, improving health and safety while streamlining production.
The new factory also includes a new vacuum heat treatment furnace – one of the largest in Europe – alongside the latest CNC machining and 3D printing technology.
Castings Technology’s investment at the 196,000 sq ft factory will boost productivity, increase capacity and secure critical elements of its supply chain. It becomes operational later this year.
The company produces some of the largest titanium castings in the world, meeting growing demand from aerospace and other sectors for materials prized for their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to corrosion and heat.
The project is creating 20 new jobs at Castings Technology and many more in its regional supply chain, with roles spanning production, quality, technical and commercial functions. New recruits this summer include maintenance engineers, pattern shop operatives and welding apprentices.
Richard Cook, Managing Director, said: “This is a significant moment for Castings Technology. The new furnace represents a major step forward in our manufacturing capability and reflects the scale of our ambition as we move into our new home in Sheffield.”
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