NADCA 2007 Aluminum Casting: Squeeze/Semi-Solid Casting of the Year Award

Contech utilized an innovative tooling design capable of producing this large, complex Rack & Pinion Steering Gear for a major transplant OEM for their large-scale pickup line.   Contech was able to develop a two-cavity die in order to meet the customers cost targets, yet still maintain the stringent burst test and part quality requirements.   Contech used its P2H squeeze casting process incorporating a vertical shot into a die split vertically with horizontally moving die blocks in 2000-ton die cast machine.   Although neither Contech nor the OEM had worked on a two-cavity squeeze cast rack and pinion gear of this size before the launch of this program was extremely successful. Contech won the NADCA 2007 Aluminum Casting: Squeeze/Semi-Solid casting of the year award for this part.

2008 NADCA Aluminum Casting: Less than 1-Pound award.

Thrust rods in suspension systems are traditionally manufactured from steel stampings, extrusions, and steel rods.   Contech worked with their customer, a European OEM, to reduce the weight of the thrust rod while maintaining the stiffness qualities at a lower cost using our high-pressure die casting process.   The casting replaced the original 3-piece design down to a single part and reduced the original mass by approximately 50%.  
In order to meet the stiffness requirements using a high-pressure die casting the Contech design team strategically placed specially shaped ribs in key areas of the thrust rod.   This Contech designed part won the 2008 NADCA Aluminum Casting: Less than 1-Pound award.

2008 NADCA Aluminum Casting: Squeeze/Semi-Solid Casting Award

Historically, steering knuckles were forged in iron to withstand the intense stress produced from connecting the tie-rod to the hub and providing support for the wheel bearing.  In response to the growing demand for the use of aluminum to improve performance and fuel economy Contech has been a leader in proactively working with our customers on re-designing parts from iron to aluminum.   Contech worked with our major European OEM customer to design an aluminum rear steering knuckle that met and exceeded the mechanical properties, durability, and weight reduction targets.   The rear steering knuckles are cast as a pair (one LH and one RH) from a two-cavity die using our P2H squeeze casting process. 

RoSPA Occupational Health & Safety Award Winner

Contech Operating UK Ltd, Welshpool is celebrating winning one of the prestigious RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards in 2008.

David Rawlins, RoSPA Awards Manager said “Contech Operating UK Ltd has shown a commitment to protecting the health and well-being of its employees and others. We hope other businesses and organizations will follow its lead and strive for continuous improvement in health and safety management”

The RoSPA awards are not just about reducing the number of accidents and cases of ill-health at work; they help to ensure that organizations have good health & safety management systems in place. Entering the awards scheme reinforces the message that good health & safety is good business and clearly demonstrates an organization’s dedication to the achievement of high levels of performance in this crucial area.

The RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards 2008 are sponsored by NEBOSH (The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health), the leading health and safety professional examining body.

The President of RoSPA, Baroness Anne Gibson of Market Rasen, Deputy President, Lord Jordan of Bournville, and Vice-President, Lord Brougham & Vaux, hosted representatives of award winning organizations at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel.