High metal yield and low energy costs through modernized recycling of aluminium chips

Cromodora Wheels SPA has installed a chip recycling furnace for wheel production in Ghedi, Italy. The furnace, with a capacity of 10,000 tons per year, was successfully supplied and commissioned by Hertwich Engineering, a company of SMS group.
In wheel production, machining chips regularly arise in large quantities in addition to a relatively low portion of piece scrap. Chip recycling is challenging, since the extremely unfavorable ratio of surface area and volume causes a significant material loss through burn-off. The traditional method of recycling chips is to compact the chips before melting, which reduces the metal loss, however, it requires an additional work step with considerable consumption of energy. In addition, the chips are frequently contaminated with adhering cooling lubricant.
The excellent metal quality was attested by an objective and neutral inspection carried out during the development process, which showed that already in the untreated state the melt from the chip recycling furnace is not inferior to a melt ready for casting with regards to the content of non-metallic inclusions.
As a result of the high degree of automation, the complete plant, with a capacity of 10,000 tons per year, can be operated by just one operator per shift – another benefit in terms of economic efficiency.