Nakamura Iron Works has signed the final acceptance certificate (FAC) with SMS group following the successful commissioning of a 12.5-meganewton ultra-high-speed open-die forging press at its Komaki City facility in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. This installation represents the second open-die forging press supplied to Nakamura by SMS group, building on the long-term operation of an 80-meganewton press commissioned in 2006.
The Komaki City plant specialises in forging temperature-sensitive and high-grade materials, including non-ferrous alloys such as nickel, copper, aluminium, and titanium, along with tool steels, stainless steels, and other high-alloy materials. The new 12.5-MN press expands Nakamura’s production capacity, enabling higher throughput, improved consistency, and lower operating and maintenance costs.
Capable of up to 205 strokes per minute, the press is designed for efficient forming of demanding materials such as Inconel, titanium, and copper. Its high forming speed reduces the need for repeated reheating, improves material yield, and lowers overall production costs, making it well suited for high-alloy and precision forging applications.
The system is equipped with SMS group’s hydraulic compact drive technology, which reduces energy consumption and cuts the installation footprint by around 50 percent compared with conventional hydraulic drive systems. The press also integrates SMS ForgeBase technology, allowing Nakamura to predefine pass schedules and apply material-specific forging strategies using a database covering more than 200 materials. ForgeBase supports fully automatic operation, with the flexibility to switch to semi-automatic or manual modes when required, ensuring consistent quality and controlled production.
In addition, SMS supplied a customised digital package to improve process transparency and equipment availability while reducing maintenance effort. Delivered as a software-as-a-service solution, the package includes SMS-Metrics for process data acquisition and Smart Alarm for fault monitoring, enabling predictive maintenance and faster issue resolution.
Alexander Schander, Head of Sales Forging Presses at SMS group, said the combination of high-speed mechanical capability, compact and energy-efficient drive systems, and integrated digital tools strengthens Nakamura’s ability to forge temperature-sensitive materials with greater efficiency and output.
The signing of the FAC confirms that all contractual performance targets have been achieved and the project has been successfully completed, underscoring SMS group’s focus on delivering application-specific technologies for the forging and metals industries.
SMS group is a global technology partner for the metals industry, drawing on more than 150 years of engineering experience and digital expertise. The company supports customers throughout the full lifecycle of their plants, enabling efficient, resource-conscious production and working toward a more sustainable and lower-carbon metals industry. SMS group employs over 13,500 people worldwide and generates annual sales of approximately €4 billion.
