Currently, Dana's Chatham, Ontario division produces several heat shields for fluid-management systems including heat exchangers, valves, and coolers. With higher demand yields and new orders, the stamper needed an automated press line that could improve uptime, quality, and reliability.

The straightener, when set properly, removes the coil set, or curvature of the rolled material. If the machine is used or set incorrectly, the coil set can remain in the material, even after being struck in presses with capacities to hundreds of tons. This can cause a variety of problems: out-of-tolerance parts, difficult feed operations that can disrupt and slow performance, and, to some extent, additional wear and tear on feed line components and tooling.

Low-volume, low-pressure (LVLP) lubrication systems can offer stampers a way to maintain the most appropriate lubrication level for each job while reducing oil consumption.

While some stampers are filing for bankruptcy, Alpha's lean manufacturing initiatives have propelled the Detroit-based stamper to a $50 million-dollar company and growing