MARS, Pa. (January 11, 2010) – Woodings Industrial Corporation, a worldwide leader in the manufacture of metals industry equipment, has shipped a newly designed large bell and hopper assembly for the #2 blast furnace at large steelmaking facility in Serbia.

The new bell utilizes Woodings' proprietary design and materials in the seat and burden area. The bell was also redesigned to have a 60° to horizontal angle, which will provide improved burden placement and better furnace efficiency.

Woodings worked closely with the steelmaker's research department on improving the falling curve of burden material to achieve more consistent and predictable burden distribution to the outer furnace wall at the stockline level. 

Woodings also collaborated with technology partner Franz Grabe to incorporate Grabe overlay plate into the seat and burden areas. Grabe's technology employs proprietary grinding techniques that allow the use of significantly harder materials in the most wear-prone area of the equipment—the seat. This process significantly improves wear characteristics and has proven to extend campaign life up to 30%. 

“We're very pleased that we were selected to design and supply this bell and hopper unit,” states Robert Woodings, President.   “Our experience in the metals industry and our partnerships with other technology leaders provides us with broad capabilities and enables us to offer our customers great performance and reliability.”