ATEK Metal Technologies LLC, New Hampton, Iowa, a permanent mold foundry, is expanding its plant and technical capabilities to keep up with growing demand. ATEK ships thousands of aluminum castings each day and has recently completed a significant expansion of its metal casting, heat treatment and finished machining capabilities.
“We added 40 percent to our low pressure permanent mold casting capacity to keep up with our accelerating growth,” said Tom Christie, President of ATEK Metal Technologies. “We also have added state-of-the-art precision machining capabilities to be able to provide our customers with cast and machined finished components.”
As part of the expansion, ATEK is improving its plant automation program with a major investment in robotic de-gating and deburring of castings. This system will be operational in July 2018.
“We are applying automation where it makes sense for the safety of our people and to provide the best value possible for our customers,” said Christie.
Also, ATEK is planning a major building expansion to be completed in December of 2018.
“We need additional plant space to support growth,” said Christie. “The new building will allow us to consolidate our warehousing and shipping areas and make room on the plant floor for ongoing expansion of operations.”
For more than 50 years, ATEK Metal Technologies has delivered superior aluminium castings that meet the specifications of the world’s most demanding industries, from motorsports and recreation to transportation and industrial markets. ATEK specializes in low pressure permanent and semi-permanent mold aluminum castings. It also has Advanced Counter Pressure Castings (ACPC) capabilities.
“Our long-term relationships speak for our commitment to service, responsiveness, solving problems, creating opportunities and achieving excellence for our partners that’s unmatched in the industry,” added Christie. “These strategic investments are key enablers for us to continue to meet and exceed customer expectations.”
The entire plant expansion is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2018.
Related Glossary Terms
- precision machining ( precision measurement)
precision machining ( precision measurement)
Machining and measuring to exacting standards. Four basic considerations are: dimensions, or geometrical characteristics such as lengths, angles and diameters of which the sizes are numerically specified; limits, or the maximum and minimum sizes permissible for a specified dimension; tolerances, or the total permissible variations in size; and allowances, or the prescribed differences in dimensions between mating parts.
