History of Extrusion Press

Elmet’s extrusion press is a “national treasure”. The Elmet 5500-ton extrusion press was built specifically for the U.S. Air Force and operated by Canton Drop Forge in Ohio. It was designed to extrude hollow, 10’ long, CrNiMo alloyed steel airplane propellers. The press was named ‘Repro’, short for ‘Reproduction’, as it was reproduced from a previously manufactured Hydropress design, built for aluminum extrusions. Following the war, the Coldwater location was established in the 1950s to cast Molybdenum billets for the U.S. Navy’s Polaris missile program. The large granular structure of cast billets required substantial grain refinement, which was achieved through extrusion on the Repro. Molybdenum extrusions continued for years till the Repro was purchased in the 1970s, when it was refurbished and installed in Coldwater.

Over the years, the Repro has received countless upgrades, allowing it to extrude a wide range of materials, making it one of, if not the most capable, extrusion press in the world. Today, the Coldwater facility continues to operate the Repro, producing critical components for defense, aerospace, energy, glass melting, and industrial applications. Its long history of innovation and adaptability underscores the enduring value of extrusion technology in shaping industries and supporting cutting-edge advancements.