It’s hammer time for Sheffield foundry

SHEFFIELD Forgemasters International (SFIL), has won a £2.5m deal to cast the world's biggest counterblow hammer.

Complex components for the hammer, commissioned by German company Muller Weingarten, will be produced in Sheffield.

Completion of the project will involve the casting of two steel rams for use in high power presses in the automotive industry.

The first will be a 4.65 metre upper ran weighing 194 tonnes, with the second a 3.7 metre lower ram coming in at an equally impressive 205.8 tonnes.

Roger Richardson, foundry operation director at SFIL, said the project was truly unique and that the capabilities of the hammer would be unmatched in the forging industry.

“Muller Weingarten has been a customer for many years and we have developed smaller counter blow hammers and other large castings for them in the past,” he said.

“Despite the hammer's extraordinary weight and size the design will mean a significant reduction in vibrations and noise. These complex castings will call on the expertise of our highly skilled workforce and require a team of dedicated staff.”

He added: “Our capability to deal with these technical issues is the key reason for this project coming to fruition.”

The final assembly of the giant hammer will take place in the summer of next year, with various parts being shipped across the world.

Once completed, the unique hammer – which uses opposing upper and lower hydraulic rams driven towards each other with equal force to press metal in a close die – will operate at a working equivalent to a press force of 49,500 tonnes.

Andreas Gfroer, general manager purchasing at Muller Weingarten said:

“In order to carry out an ambitious project like this, it is essential to work together with highly experienced and reliable supplier.

“We enjoy an excellent and long-term partnership with SFIL.”

Sheffield Forgemasters International is a world leader in supplying total engineering packages to solve industry's needs.

As the world's largest independently owned forgemaster, it specialises in a broad range of heavy forged and cast steel products as well as stocking steel ingot and bar.

During its 200 year history, SFIL has produced some of the largest bespoke engineered products in the world and has the capacity for steel castings of up to 350 tonnes and steel forgings of up to 200 tonnes.