Magnesium melting oven and die-cast cell Magnesium die-casting plant. At STIHL, we cast magnesium in hot chamber die-cast machines. Other functions are also integrated in our fully automated die-cast cell. For example, die-lube is applied by an automated spraying system and after the casting process a robot handles the part for trimming runners and overflow pockets. This process, while making the work more ergonomic for our employees, enables efficient production with repeatable quality of the highest standard.

I heard the STIHL die-cast plant in Prüm, Germany is one of the biggest facilities in Europe. How many tons of magnesium do you use annually? We use more than 3000 t a year. Imagine a tower of magnesium with a footprint of 1 square meter. It would be more then ten times higher than Winchester Cathedral. Huge forces are needed for magnesium die-casting. What is the die closing force for systems at STIHL? During production, we achieve closing forces between 150 and 1100 tons in our automated hot and cold chamber die cast cells. The closing forces of course vary depending on the size of the die. Recycling today is an important factor. How much do you consider recycling in your day-to-day operation? Recycling of course is very important. We operate our own resmelting oven right at the Prüm die cast facility. Here we turn magnesium scrap into new raw material without any loss of quality. How do you ensure the purity of materials with remelting? Purity of materials is ensured by identifying all magnesium cast components with a material code - yet another sign of our consistent quality philosophy."