Grafton firefighters knock down blaze beneath Wyman Gordon’s 50,000 ton press

Grafton firefighters responded early Thursday morning to a two-alarm fire beneath Wyman Gordon’s 50,000 ton press.

“Although challenging at times with the fire’s location, crews managed to put it out with minimal damage to the valuable piece of equipment,” the fire department said in a news release.

The 50,000 ton press, often referred to as simply “The 50,” was declared a landmark  by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers back in 1983. It was the largest machine ever built when completed in 1955 as part of a Cold War program for larger, stronger aircraft parts.

“Foundations go 100 feet into bedrock, which was believed to be the deepest excavation for a machine ever made in the United States,” the ASME description reads “Elevators run from the pits to the working floor of the shop. Standing ten stories high, the 50,000-ton press is somewhat reminiscent of an iceberg, in that 48 feet are above the shop floor and capable of exerting a pressure of 106 million pounds. The holding platens —which could comfortably accommodate four parked autos—handle dies weighing up to 50 tons per pair. There are 25,000 individual parts to the press, some of which are among the most massive items ever moved by ship and train.”

Westborough and Sutton’s fire departments assisted at the scene and Upton, Northbridge, and Millbury firefighters provided station coverage.

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