Separate processes, one solution - optimal results

Magnesium needs to be melted quickly and actively mixed to avoid metal segregation and promote even temperature distribution. Before dosing, melt needs to be held still and gently heated at a consistent temperature so that oxides separate and can be easily isolated in order to guarantee only the highest quality melt is taken for casting. The best way to achieve these distinct objectives is to decouple the two processes but ensure they still work seamlessly together. So that’s what we’ve done.

Melt fast, mix well

The StrikoWestofen Magnesium melting furnace features an ingot feed system which supports safer, cleaner, ‘splash free’ charging and rapid metal melting – a necessity for mitigating risk of segregation and optimising melt quality.

For huge melting capacities a special Jetmelter is then used to forcibly melt and flush cold-fed ingots with hot melt in order to quickly and effectively equalise temperature throughout. In fact, the melt is both evenly heated and distributed in the crucible to optimise conditions and avoid any hot spots.

Bigger melt capacity – safer, smaller furnace

Enhanced and stable temperature maintenance is also a benefit delivered by our unique heat exchanger – an industry first and useful tool for foundries looking to up their melting capacities without increasing protective gas.

Increasing melt capacity typically means increasing crucible size and, in turn, furnace size and volume of protective inert gas.  In other words, melting more Magnesium can mean more space and more risk.

Not any more. Our heat exchanger, also available as a retrofit for existing furnaces, means a large melting capacity can be achieved even with small crucibles. Crucible and furnace footprint can be kept small, which means less inert gas and space requirement. Better for melting performance, productivity and for the environment.

Hold still for better metal

Once the melted Magnesium is transferred to the holding furnace crucible via transfer tube, calmness is key. Floating oxides can settle in the calmed melt and will not be cast.

Any excessive movement can cause oxides and contaminants to mix into the melt which can lead to poor quality castings and increased scrap rates.

Side heating functionality in our holding furnace ensures melt is heated softly and uniformly to promote favourable oxide deposition i.e. ensuring light, protective oxides form on the surface and heavy oxides sink to the bottom. Bath levels are also continuously radar monitored so that the furnace is automatically recharged as required.

Always the right dose

To ensure the best quality melt is taken from the holding bath and presented for further processing or directly to the die casting machine, a centrifugal pump is positioned at exactly half-bath depth.

This pump - the most precise dosing pump on the market – delivers liquid Magnesium with a dosing precision of +/- 1.5%. The system is designed to guarantee the right dose of high-quality molten metal is always delivered at the right time and within short cycle times.