Woodings to provide North America's first all-hydraulic taphole drills

(June 5, 2005) Want to know what's new under the sun? Look no further than Indiana. It is there that Woodings Industrial, a worldwide leader and innovator in the manufacture of metals industry equipment, will install this country's first all-hydraulic taphole drills as part of a large steel producer's rebuild of its blast furnace.

The three drills, designed and manufactured by Woodings, incorporate a hydraulic drifter that is configured in a unique housing design.

Unlike traditional drills that have two housings, one for forward hammer and one for reverse hammer, the Woodings hydraulic drifter is built with a single, common housing. This design allows for just two hydraulic hoses instead of four which reduces maintenance time and damage potential. The drills also have only one set of controls so operation is much simpler and operator errors are greatly reduced. Because the drill has only one housing, it is significantly smaller and more compact than traditional drills and can be used in much smaller spaces.

The all-hydraulic operation of the drill provides some dramatic benefits that the steelmaker will be the first in North America to utilize. The Woodings hydraulic drifter has the maximum rotational torque available with high frequency impactors which are capable of operating with 50 to 100% impact energy. Therefore, impact energy may be reduced to the minimum requirements for opening the taphole. This method provides a smooth consistent diameter taphole that is opened very quickly and with reliable integrity.

These taphole drills are the first offered in North America that offer the option of fully automated controls which provide spot-on predictability and repeatability. Taphole length is accurately monitored and recorded. The taphole drills are also capable of remote operation.

“This company has built its reputation on innovation. The installation of these truly unique drifters underscores our determination to be the leader---by a long shot--- in the design and development of equipment that helps producers go to the next level in terms of productivity, reliability and efficiency”, stated Rob Woodings, president.

About Woodings Industrial Corp.
The only hot metal equipment supplier offering design, engineering, manufacturing and service from one source, Woodings Industrial Corp. is the oldest continuous family-operated business in North America’s steel industry. A worldwide leader in the manufacture of metals industry equipment, Woodings uses the most current technologies to design, engineer and manufacture an extensive line of traditional and not-so-traditional hot metal equipment, such as tap hole drills, clay guns, tuyere stocks, blast furnace valves and engineering specialty products for continuous casters. Woodings is the exclusive supplier of Grabe overlay components in North America and has plants at its headquarters in Mars and Harmony, Pa., along with offices in Detroit and Gary, Ind.