Pandolfo extends its homogenizing capacity with Hertwich technology solution

Pandolfo Alluminio S.p.A., a leading Italian extrusion plant, has placed an order with Hertwich Engineering for the supply of a modern Batch Homogenizing Furnace for extrusion billets. Its commissioning is scheduled for August 2016.

Pandolfo has been operating a Hertwich continuous homogenizing unit for 50,000 tonnes per year in its casthouse in Maniago since 2010. To increase its capacity by 35,000 t/y this unit is to be supplemented by a batch-type homogenizing unit – also from Hertwich.

The new batch furnace will mainly be used for homogenizing special alloys, which favour a batch homogenizing operation due to frequent programme changes. The diameter range processed extends from 178 mm to 482 mm. The production programme demands particularly precise temperature control in the furnace and rapid cooling, even for the larger billet cross-sections.

The new contract includes a batch homogenizing furnace, the cooling station and a fully automatic stacking machine with spacer handling. In this first extension step only one furnace is envisaged, but its arrangement will leave open the possibility of adding a second batch furnace. In this case the new batch furnace will work with an existing saw and packing system, which until now have only been occupied by the continuous homogenizing furnace.

By means of an additional conveyor the homogenized and cooled billets will be transferred to the feed roller track of the saw. Pandolfo has therefore chosen to use the option of operating a continuous homogenizing and a batch homogenizing furnace in conjunction or tandem operation with one another.