Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 20 news items, including Solar Atmospheres’ addition of new vacuum heat treating and titanium processing capacity, Airtech Advanced Materials Group’s partnership with Evergreen Additive Manufacturing, Aalberts surface technologies’ Nadcap accreditation for coatings and thermal spray processes, and more!
Equipment
1. ITP Co. Ltd. has installed a new hot isostatic pressing (HIP) system supplied by Quintus Technologies to strengthen production capabilities for precious metal equipment used in glass manufacturing, supporting improved densification, product consistency, and manufacturing efficiency for precious metals.
2. New strip casting systems for rare-earth magnet manufacturing, supplied by Retech, are expected to support thermal processing operations tied to neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnet production in the U.S., serving industries including energy, electronics, automotive, and defense. The systems are designed for vacuum metallurgy applications involving high-temperature melting and casting processes used in advanced materials manufacturing.
3. Created by Metacarpal, the GEM prosthetic hand uses a fully mechanical design to deliver durability and functionality without batteries, sensors, or electronics. The device showcases how precision machining, Aluminum 7075, and surface engineering contribute to lightweight, wear-resistant systems, highlighting the rolse of materials and thermal processing technologies in advancing prosthetic performance while improving reliability for users in demanding environments.
4. IperionX has commissioned a 300-ton, six-axis SACMI powder metallurgy press to expand U.S. titanium component manufacturing capacity, supporting the production of near-net-shape parts for defense, aerospace, and industrial applications. The technology forms titanium preforms that can be sintered and forged into finished components, increasing production flexibility and supporting high-volume manufacturing pathways.
5. Solar Atmospheres has expanded its vacuum heat treating and titanium processing capabilities with the commissioning of a new vacuum furnace designed for hydriding and dehydriding (HDH) of titanium as well as a range of thermal processing applications. The addition is expected to increase capacity for titanium processing and vacuum heat treating operations, including annealing, stress relieving, solution treating, and aging.
6. Rio Tinto has begun commissioning a major expansion of its AP60 aluminum smelter technology in Quebec, increasing primary aluminum production capacity and supporting North American supply for transportation, construction, electrical, and consumer goods markets. The project centers on aluminum smelting, a high-temperature thermal processing operation that converts alumina into primary aluminum through electrolytic reduction.
7. Wall Colmonoy has expanded its vacuum brazing capacity with the addition of two new TITAN H6 vacuum furnace supplied by Ipsen to support the production of aerospace and defense components. The investment is expected to increase capacity for vacuum brazing and vacuum heat treating operations involving stainless steel and nickel-alloy heat exchanger cores and other high-temperature assemblies.
8. Isostatic Toll Services (ITS) has opened a new hot isostatic pressing (HIP) facility in Ohio, expanding certified thermal processing capacity for aerospace, defense, additive manufacturing, and advanced industrial applications. The new operation adds HIP systems, manufactured by American Isostatic Presses, Inc. (AIP), to the company’s global network, supporting clients with additional capacity, scheduling flexibility, and supply-chain resilience.
9. Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI) has commissioned SMS group to modernize automation systems at its Butler, Indiana, hot strip mill through a controls upgrade that supports rolling operations and associated thermal processing functions within the facility. By updating the automation architecture that supports rolling and temperature-controlled manufacturing operations throughout the mill, the project is expected to help maintain stable production and support future operational requirements.
10. METEX Heat Treating Ltd. has expanded its ISO/IEC 17025:2017-accredited metallurgical laboratory capabilities by adding Tensile Testing (ASTM E8/E8M).
11. SSAB has awarded SMS group a contract to build a gas atomization plant at its Oxelösund, Sweden, site, enabling industrial-scale production of high-strength steel powders for additive manufacturing applications. The facility will use advanced melting, atomization, and powder-handling technologies to produce high-purity, spherical metal powders for 3D printing, helping meet growing demand across defense, industrial, and mobility sectors.
12. TZCO Chain Manufacturing has granted final acceptance to SMS group for a fully automatic MP 3150 closed-die forging press at its new facility in Jinzhong, China. It is designed to produce excavator track links at high volumes while reducing material waste, machining requirements, and production costs through advanced forging and automation technologies.
Company & Personnel
13. Airtech Advanced Materials Group and Evergreen Additive Manufacturing have entered into an exclusive partnership to expand large-format additive manufacturing solutions for maritime applications. By combining Airtech’s advanced materials portfolio with Evergreen’s manufacturing expertise, the collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of large-scale 3D-printed tooling and components, supporting more efficient and flexible production across the maritime industry.
14. Solar Atmospheres of Western PA marked a major milestone with a 25th anniversary event that brought together employees, clients, partners, and community members for a day of reflection, connection, and looking ahead.
15. Ipsen announced the launch of its newest regional service hub, strategically located to support clients throughout Alabama and Georgia. Officially launched in June 2026, the new hub provides regional clients with a single point of contact for routine maintenance, preventative service, and technical support.
16. SECO/WARWICK marked its 35th anniversary, highlighting the company’s evolution from a Polish-American partnership founded in 1991 into a global supplier of heat treatment and vacuum metallurgy technologies.
17. Hubbard-Hall has appointed Stephen Boyd as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), bringing extensive financial and manufacturing experience to the company’s executive team.
Kudos
18. Aalberts surface technologies has achieved Nadcap accreditation for coatings and thermal spray processes at its Kalisz, Poland, facility. The milestone strengthens the company’s position in aerospace surface engineering and supports manufacturers that rely on high-performance thermal spray coatings and heat treatment technologies for critical components.
19. Norsk Titanium’s Plattsburgh, New York facility has earned Nadcap accreditation for additive manufacturing.
20. Aalberts surface technologies’ Wadsworth team continued their 24-month merit on the Nadcap certificate, achieving zero findings on both the heat treating and quality management system audit.
