Released on June 9, 2008

Intermet Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, has installed a new zinc die casting machine at its Monroe City, Mo., plant.
 
The company expects the new machine, which will initially produce components for steering mechanisms, to speed die changes and improve surface finish.

“The machine has quick die change features and is equipped with the ability to provide process monitoring and control not available in conventional-type machines,” said Mark Utterback, manufacturing engineering manager, Intermet Monroe City. “That gives us the capability to respond more quickly to fluctuations in orders. It also cuts down on zinc scrap and reduces variations in production quality due to the enhanced capabilities of the machine.”

Intermet makes cast components for the automotive, commercial-vehicle and industrial markets with approximately 2,000 employees.