Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 22:35:19 GMT Server: Apache/1.2.4 Last-Modified: Mon, 13 Oct 1997 16:26:52 GMT ETag: "85224-124e-34424bcc" Content-Length: 4686 Accept-Ranges: bytes Connection: close Content-Type: text/html Kaiser: Technology and R&D
    Kaiser Online
    Operations

Technology and R&D

    aiser Aluminum conducts research and development activities principally at four facilities -- the Center for Technology (CFT) in Pleasanton, California; the Alumina Development Laboratory (ADL) at the Gramercy Louisiana, refinery; the Southfield Automotive Product Development Office located near Detroit, Michigan; and the Automated Systems Group in Spokane, Washington.

    Kaiser is actively engaged in efforts to license its technology and sell technical and managerial assistance to other producers worldwide. Kaiser's technology has been installed in alumina refineries, aluminum smelters and rolling mills located in the United States, Jamaica, Sweden, Germany, Russia, India, Australia, Korea, New Zealand, Ghana, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

    Operations

    (Photo-- Using laser, infrared, and other technologies, Kaiser develops new systems to measure and improve the quality of aluminum sheet, plate, extrusions, castings and forgings.)


    Pleasanton -- Scientists and engineers at the Center for Technology (CFT) provide R&D support to Kaiser using a full range of equipment -- including labs, testing facilities, computer modeling systems, and large-scale pilot plant facilities. CFT offers expertise in process technologies (casting, rolling, extruding, forging, heat-treating, and finishing), product technologies directed at optimizing the material for its end use (material evaluation testing, metallography, and analytical chemistry), and some customer technologies (forming, welding, and can-making). CFT has many successful developments to its credit including new alloys for aircraft and automotive applications, process innovations, and the Kaiser MicromillTM process. CFT also offers, on a selective basis, service to outside companies.

    Gramercy -- With its focus on analytical work as well as product and process development, the Alumina Development Lab addresses technological issues regarding bauxite, alumina, alumina trihydrate, and CajuniteTM.

    Southfield (Detroit) -- Dedicated to serving the automotive market, the QS-9000-certified Automotive Development Office is staffed with professionals who work with customers as well as CFT and plant personnel to create automotive designs and improvements, employing their CAD and FEA (finite element analysis) capability.

    Spokane -- The Automated Systems Group is responsible for developing, marketing, and selling Kaiser's reduction cell control system, Celtrol® This system is currently operating on over 7,800 cells in 14 smelters around the globe, producing nearly 10% of the world's primary aluminum. The Primary Aluminum Testing Laboratory, a world-class facility for carbon and other materials testing, supports Kaiser's primary aluminum plants and contracts with others for materials testing services.


    Home | News | Overview | Operations | Financials

    Last update: October 9, 1997

    Kaiser® is a registered trademark of Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation
    © 1997 Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation