Technocast Orders Simpson Sand-Prep System

May 19, 2006
New foundry is a joint venture of Caterpillar, Cifunsa

Simpson Technologies Corp. reports news of its contract to supply the sand-preparation technology for a new foundry at Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. Technocast is a joint venture between Caterpillar Inc. and Cifunsa, a Grupo Industrial Saltillo subsidiary. It will produce 90,000 metric tons/year of engine blocks and cylinder heads.

Technocast is scheduled for a first pour this summer, and to start production by summer 2007. It will have a tight-flask molding line, and Simpson is supplying its #MC-300 Multi-Cooler to provide pre-mixed and cooled return sand for two new Beardsley & Piper 150B Speedmullors.

Each of the Speedmullors will be controlled by #18Mk2/2552 Hartley Compactability controllers with the patented Bond Determinator feature.

Automated bond measuring and delivery to the mullers will be provided by two Hartley 90Mk2-5, pneumatic bond weighing and transportation devices connected to the Speedmullors.

Simpson previously supplied Cifunsa with equipment for its Nos. 2, 3, and 4 foundries in Saltillo and No.5 foundry in Irapuato.

Cifunsa is one of the world’s largest producers of gray-iron engine blocks and heads, and also produces gray- and ductile-iron exhaust manifolds, crankshafts, bearing caps, bedplates, calipers, brackets, and steering knuckles.

In 2004 Caterpillar decided to downsize its Mapleton, IL, foundry, discontinuing production of engine blocks and heads there. At the time the Technocast joint-venture was unconfirmed, but the expectation had been that those Caterpillar-designed products manufactured in Mexico and supplied to Caterpillar plants in Mossville, IL, and Greenville, SC.