STRIKOWESTOFEN reported it has completely redesigned its Westomat dosing furnace series, and introduced “ProDos 3” control system. Both new products will be presented at EuroGuss 2014, next month.
“Constant model upgrading and options developed according to customer requirements have made our Westomat series a worldwide benchmark for economical and process reliable dosing systems. Our latest development raises the standard, in particular with regard to simplified setup and operation,” stated StrikoWestofen manager Rudolf Riedel.
The redesigned Westomat vessel is intended to address the restricted space around furnaces and diecasting machines that is frequently is a considerable problem for foundries. A completely revised design allows StrikoWestofen to reduce the space requirements by about 15% compared to the preceding model. The slim dimensions allow the dosing furnace to be positioned closer to the diecasting machine.
“The shortened inlet cools the melt down less than before,” explained StrikoWestofen sales director Peter Reuther. “Also, contact with the oxygen in the air is reduced, and this supports a very high metal quality. Another aim of re-designing was to increase occupational safety.
“The new Westomat dosing furnaces have an innovative heating system with an extended service life,” Reuther continued. “In addition, assembly no longer requires any space at the side of the furnace. Our flanged riser tube – now available as standard equipment – and the high-performance insulation have allowed us to significantly increase the performance of our dosing systems yet again.”
The centrepiece of StrikoWestofen’s presentation at EuroGuss will be the new ProDos 3 control, replacing the current ProDos XP control in the first quarter of 2014, with additional dosing precision and process reliability.
Considerably improved computing power reduces the reaction time by a factor of three, thus adjusting the dosing weight to altered process parameters in a highly efficient way.
“The most important innovation is probably the integration of our patented biscuit correction,” explained Rudolf Riedel, manager of StrikoWestofen. “This has proved to be an effective practical tool for improving the dosing accuracy by another 35%. Its direct integration into the control means that biscuit correction, as well as the standardized DISPO 035 interface to the diecasting machine, is available now to all customers as economical options.
“Electrically and mechanically, the ProDos 3 is completely compatible with the current ProDos XP and DPC control units,” Riedel said.
The new control system is especially resistant to electromechanical disturbances, according to the developer, and is operated via a capacitive touchscreen. This means the controls no longer need to be calibrated, and they are effectively protected in everyday foundry operation via a pane of toughened glass.
“2014 will also see the introduction of further options which can be retrofitted in the control,” according to Riedel.
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