Vintage work crew photos

[Jon]

Alcoa 50,000 ton forging press, built by the now-defunct Mesta Machinery. The fullsize images linked below are over 3500px wide, and suitable for framing.

This beauty is a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. More: https://www.asme.org/wwwasmeorg/medi...ging-Press.pdf

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...1_fullsize.jpg


Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...2_fullsize.jpg


If you are looking for a good entrance to a rabbit hole for enormous presses, just look up "heavy press program", and then take that route back to The Cold War. Then hang a left, and follow the path back to WWII and invading Soviet forces seizing German presses. From there, keep going back to WWII aviation, then back more to the origins of magnesium press forming. Finally, keep going on that same route, all the way back to the Treaty of Versailles. See ya in 100 hours!

[PJs]

An amazing accomplishment in engineering, materials and manufacturing. Some of the stats and systems are truly mind melting...like 9 foot, 12T check valves that some one designed, cast, machined and built. I'll be spending more time rabbit holing this and others because of my small part in a measly 50t forge press that was actually to be used for military aircraft engine parts with high cycle rates.

Funny too I noticed and remembered a couple of ASME Chiefs (Akers and Gaither) from 5 on the dedication PDF. They were kind of legendary by the time I joined but a great group over all and got a presidential letter and gift on my 10yr. Got quite a few certs, (lean, 6 sigma, etc.) from them over the years too and most in Chicago at MacCormic Place. ASME is a Great resource for information sharing too! Used to log in when stuck on something and get a response in an hour!

Thank You Jon...A real monument to cherish and share.