The dosing furnace “Westomat Plus+” recently won the renowned “Good Design Award” of the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, putting it in line with lifestyle products such as Apple’s “iPhone”.

“Demands can be made to improve the working environment in light metal foundries too,” said Rudi Riedel, manager of the StrikoWestofen company that makes the furnaces.

In practice, the design of mechanical designer Jürgen R. Schmid also excelled with regard to its technical values. The Westomat Plus+ consumes only one third of the energy required by conventional ladle systems. At 0.06 per cent, its metal loss has also been reduced dramatically.

“We not only make the foundry cleaner and more attractive but we also make it greener too. In this way, we are initiating a positive change of image for the foundry industry.”

The Westomat Plus+ can do more than just look good is also proved by a look inside. On the basis of thousands of examples of customer experience, every technical detail of the dosing furnace was tested. Now its more compact design gives it a smaller footprint in the production facility, while the optimised insulation distinctly minimises the heat radiated.

“Working in the ‘hot hell’ has now become a thing of the past,” Riedel emphasises.

“A new pneumatic unit makes the dosing furnace especially reliable and easy to maintain. In place of the usual heating rods, StrikoWestofen relies on overhead heating. This is easy to replace and ensures a service life that is up to three times longer than before. Additional time savings are allowed by the ease of charging using an enlarged funnel as well as the rapid installation and setting up of the system.”

“The Westomat Plus+ is delivered with the base frame already installed. It is optionally available in a fully encased version, thus reducing pinch points and increasing safety around the furnace. Also, the installation of a lift/tilt cylinder ensures that the frame can be tilted in any desired position. Cleaning and emptying are possible at all times.”

“We want to offer foundries technology that provides for a modern and efficient production environment. In this way, we create a friendly working environment and turn our systems into flagships for foundries. This will convince our customers’ customers too,” said Riedel.

For further details contact Ceramic & Alloy Specialists on TEL: 011 894 3039 or visit www.ceramicalloy.co.za