A giant takes to the road: Europe's largest VIDP furnace supplied to ThyssenKrupp VDM in Unna

Following a three-day journey across Germany, the melting chamber of Europe's largest 30-ton vacuum induction degassing and pouring furnace (VIDP), used to produce high-performance materials e.g. for aerospace and energy applications, has arrived in Unna, Germany for installation in the ThyssenKrupp VDM plant there. From summer 2003, the innovative facility will be used to melt and cast superalloys for highly demanding applications under high-vacuum conditions similar to those found in outer space. The contract to manufacture the €13.5 million VIDP furnace was awarded in April 2002 to the Hanau, Germany-based firm ALD Vacuum Technologies AG. At the same time, the go-ahead was given for the construction of a new production shop.

Weighing in at 55 metric tons, the pouring chamber is the biggest single furnace component, standing 8 meters high and with a base of 4.5 x 4.5 meters. When it came to transporting this giant, conventional methods were out of the question. A 31 meter long, 6 meter-plus wide, 12-axle low loader weighing 150 tons was needed for the journey.

Integrating the VIDP furnace into ThyssenKrupp VDM's existing meltshop will allow it to be charged with liquid metal, boosting performance enormously. The ability to change heats of up to 30 tons within an hour permits immediate product changes and guarantee high productivity. A further advantage is that the VIDP unit is very easy to operate. All process monitoring and data transfer is performed from a state-of-the-art central control room.

The installation of the VIDP furnace is the third project in as many years which ThyssenKrupp VDM has carried out with ALD Vacuum Technologies. VDM already operates two remelting units (ESR and VAR) supplied by ALD.

The complete plant will be officially inaugurated as part of an international symposium being held on September 24-25 later this year.

Background:
Hanau-based ALD Vacuum Technologies AG is a leading supplier of processes and equipment for vacuum metallurgy, vacuum heat treatment and vacuum-thermal recycling. With branches in the USA, Japan and the UK and more than 70 representative agencies worldwide, the company's customers are suppliers to the energy, chemicals, materials, automotive and aerospace industries.

ThyssenKrupp VDM GmbH is part of the ThyssenKrupp Group's Steel segment. In fiscal 2001/2002, the company had around 1,950 employees and generated sales of €587 million. With its globally active subsidiaries, ThyssenKrupp VDM specializes in high-performance materials for the energy, environmental, electronics, electrical, automotive, aerospace, chemical, petrochemical, offshore and marine sectors.

Contact:
Heinz-Jürgen Möller
ThyssenKrupp VDM
Tel. +49 2392 55 - 2501
Fax +49 2392 55 - 2596
email: hmoeller@tks-vdm.thyssenkrupp.com

Erwin Schneider
ThyssenKrupp Steel
Tel. +49 203 52 - 25690
Fax +49 203 52 - 25707
e-mail: erwin.schneider@tks.thyssenkrupp.com

Dietmar Stamm
ThyssenKrupp Steel
Tel. +49 203 52 - 26267
Fax +49 203 52 - 25707
e-mail: dietmar.stamm@tks.thyssenkrupp.com
Jonathan A. Costello
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