On February 18, Torrance Casting welcomed the AFS Engineering Division for an exclusive tour of its state-of-the-art HWS molding line and its custom-designed vertical Grid-Based Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS). This award recognizes companies for outstanding achievements in plant engineering and innovative solutions that address modern challenges in the foundry industry.
To achieve maximum flexibility in molding and processing lower-volume orders—previously managed through its BMM cope-and-drag pallet line—Torrance developed an independent cooling solution for each mold. The molds are stored vertically, one mold deep, within an 80-position, four-row, 20-column grid-based AS/RS cooling house.
Each mold receives a computer-assigned cooling time at the HWS molding machine. Unlike traditional horizontal cooling conveyors, where cooling times are dictated by the molding machine’s production pace, Torrance’s grid-based AS/RS allows complete flexibility in scheduling. Jobs with varying cooling requirements can be processed seamlessly, one after another. Once placed in the AS/RS by a robotic system, the mold cools for its designated period without constraint. Upon completion, a robotic retrieval mechanism automatically removes the mold for emptying, ensuring a precise, efficient, and fully optimized process.
Beyond improving casting quality and production throughput, this system also delivers major benefits in scheduling optimization, labor savings, and workplace safety. The $20 million investment has eliminated worker exposure to molten iron and reduced injury risks associated with manual mold handling — all while maintaining exceptional production flexibility.
With this award, Torrance Casting is recognized for its forward-thinking engineering, technological innovation, and strong commitment to advancing the future of the foundry industry.
Source: www.torrancecasting.com
