Caterpillar Inc. said March 11 it is considering the construction of a new hydraulic excavator plant in the United States that could result in the transfer of some production from Japan.

The new facility would manufacturer two excavator models currently being produced at a plant in Aurora, Ill., and several lines now produced in Japan and exported to the United States.

The new plant would have the potential to triple the current capacity of hydraulic excavators now produced by the company in the United States and add a significant number of U.S. jobs, the company said.

The plan would help the company’s Akashi, Japan, excavator facility add capacity to better serve customers in the expanding Asia-Pacific region. Long-term forecasts for the Asia-Pacific region indicate the company may need to increase capacity and employment at the Akashi facility to help meet demand. A final decision regarding this study will be made at a later date, the company said.

If approved, the new U.S.-based factory would be the primary North American source for excavators.

“The study is based on the current analysis of where the global excavator market is heading and how Caterpillar should position itself for continued leadership in the excavator industry,” said Gary Stampanato, Caterpillar vice president with responsibility for excavators.

The study is part of a long-term strategic initiative to develop the appropriate global footprint needed to competitively produce hydraulic excavators, the company said.

Pressure Die Casting Die Cast Heating Plates vs Gravity Casting. What is casting? And what is die casting and gravity die casting? Pressure Die Casting Die Cast Heating Plates vs Gravity Casting:

Casting is the process of molding metals into different shapes and sizes. One of the oldest casting methods is gravity casting. Gravity casting makes use of gravity to ensure that all the parts of the mold is invaded by the melted metal like aluminum. A gating system is produced to ensure a good flow of metal liquid. Basically, all you will need is a gating system a good two piece mold and the melted aluminum. After the liquid aluminum is poured into the mold, it will be left to cool. Even with this simple process, complicated pipe designs may be possible by casting pipes into the mold. However, because you will primarily rely on gravity, it is not ensured that the metal will seep into all the parts of the mold. An inferior plate may be produced.

On the other hand, die casting will surely produce an accurate model of the planned metal fixture. This is because it uses high pressure to pump the melted aluminum into the cold chamber mold. Also, the high pressure ensures the smooth and shiny surface of aluminum parts.

To get a price for aluminum die casting parts or die casting tooling, call toll free 800-524-8083 and ask for sales. Or email us at sales@kineticdc.com for a fast response on a price quote.

Del Mar Die Casting Company Is Leaving California. Del Mar Die Casting Company was purchased by Pace Industries, announced Wednesday their acquisition of the zinc die-casting business of Del Mar Industries, Inc., of Gardena, California.

The Del Mar Die Casting Company acquisition significantly increases the size of Pace Industries’ zinc operations, which the company conducts in Harrison as well as in St. Paul, Minn. and North Billerica, Mass. John Scott Bull, director of Marketing for Pace Industries, said that the equipment will be moved to the Harrison facilities and should mean the company will need to hire “more than a dozen” people.

The Del Mar Die Casting Company acquisition by Pace Industries may add more than a dozen jobs at the Harrison plant. Pace employs 371 people at its two divisions in Harrison and about 65 in Fayetteville, according to arkansasbusiness.com. The company operates 13 manufacturing facilities, including two in Mexico.

Kinetic Die Casting Company Announcement –
Any California manufacturing company interested in maintaining their die casting production local to California, should contact Kinetic Die Casting Company in North Hollywood, California. North Hollywood is just north of Los Angeles, California. Kinetic Die Casting Company is located only two miles from the Burbank Airport. Contact Kinetic Die Casting company for a price on aluminum die casting parts or zinc die casting parts.

To get a price for zinc or aluminum die casting parts or die casting tooling, call toll free 800-524-8083 and ask for sales. Or email us at sales@kineticdc.com for a fast response on a price quote.

Pressure Die Casting Aluminum Military Parts vs Sand Casting. The military is an important part of any nation. State of the art technology gives a country a heads up against other possibly invading or threatening army. And with the invention of weapons of mass destruction, powerful nations keep outdoing each other when it comes to military technology.

Mostly, military equipment and weapons are made of sturdy metal. Precision is important, that is why the technology of making military parts is also important.

For aluminum parts, cold chamber pressurized die casting is used. In Pressure Die Casting Aluminum Military Parts vs Sand Casting, surely die casting is the better option. Sand casting is one of the oldest ways of molding heated metal. While this is still a reliable method, its products are not as good as die casting. First, the surface is not as polished. The sizes and parts are also not as accurate as planned. The sand makes the military parts rough in surface. It will need a lot of other processes to make it polished.

With die casting, aluminum parts are sure to be precise in size and parts. Complicated designs are complete, with every crevice and tiny part intact. Sizes will be 99% accurate. This is very important for military parts.

To get a price for aluminum die casting parts or die casting tooling, call toll free 800-524-8083 and ask for sales. Or email us at sales@kineticdc.com for a fast response on a price quote.

Toyota Motor announced the creation of a North American “quality task force” as it struggles to repair its reputation in the wake of a series of mass recalls.

The task force will answer to Toyota chief executive office Akio Toyoda and will be responsible for implementing a six-point action plan aimed at improving quality, cooperation with regulatory authorities and creating greater regional autonomy.

Toyota has come under intense criticism for its handling of deadly safety defects which led to the recall of more than eight million vehicles worldwide.

“We are making fundamental changes in the way our company operates in order to ensure that Toyota sets an even higher standard for vehicle safety and reliability, responsiveness to customers, and transparency with regulators,” said Steve St. Angelo, a top executive at Toyota’s North American manufacturing unit who was appointed chief quality officer for the region.

“The new organization will open the lines of communication globally and enable us to respond faster here in North America to any concerns about our vehicles,” St. Angelo said.

“In keeping with Akio Toyoda’s mandate, North America will have greater autonomy and play a critical role in decision making on recalls and other safety issues.”

St. Angelo will join his counterparts in Japan on March 30 for the first meeting of the automotive manufacturer’s special committee for global quality. The North American task force will also work closely with an independent advisory panel led by former U.S. transportation secretary Rodney Slater.