As a global producer of high-performance materials, ATI responded to unprecedented demand for titanium by introducing a new 12,500-ton billet press to fulfill customer agreements.
With increasing demand from the defense and aerospace market, ATI is growing capacity for premium and standard quality titanium. To match that flow of material all the way through to finished parts, we invested in the new billet forging press in Bakers, North Carolina, increasing capacity, capability, and agility. Just a few hundred miles from where the Wright Brothers first took flight, the Bakers South Operations ll press widens production horizons and maximizes efficiency, supporting ATI’s investment in the next generation of flight.
Our process is Proven to Perform:
Key to the site’s success is the harmony of product process. The new 12,500-ton billet press was paired with larger capacity furnaces. Expanding the furnaces in BSOll has allowed for the potential to process more material at one time, adding real additional volume to the site. The furnaces can keep consistent transfer time, opening the shop schedule for various materials. This process allows for more mobility in material transfers and efficiency in product flow, while also enabling:
- Maximized Efficiency: Modified design allows for optimization of processing times, increasing the capacity and output.
- Increased Tonnage: Delivering 25% greater tonnage results in higher-quality alloys and opens the door for future alloy development.
- Expanding Capability: As the market changes, our operations are prepared to meet dynamic demands. The new press gives us the ability to produce both titanium and nickel, meeting customer demands with very little change over time.
- Precision and Speed: The improved design layout of the forge facility and innovative loading capability allows for precise process parameter control and quality performance on critical alloys.
How much of a difference does 2,500 tons make? By implementing a 12,500-ton press vs. the legacy 10,000-ton press, ATI can produce tougher materials at higher temperatures, making the strength of our products unbeatable. As demand for high-performing, durable products increase, our customers can count on ATI to rise to the occasion. BSOII equips ATI to take on the extreme demands of the defense and aerospace market, enhancing structural properties, strengthening alloys, and creating products that are Proven to Perform.
Learn more about how we deliver products that are Proven to Perform in
our Critical Quality video.
