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¿El paraíso perdido?

/ FEATURED NEWS, OP-ED

En los hermosos días de antaño –entiéndase, en el “paraíso”--,
las habilidades se adquirían con el paso del tiempo mediadas
por un tutor. Pero ¿qué de la actualidad?

Read the Spanish translation of this article in the version below or read the English translation when you click the flag to the right. Both the Spanish and the English versions were originally published in Heat Treat Today's September 2023 People of Heat Treat print edition.

Dan Herring
"The Heat Treat Doctor"
The HERRING GROUP, Inc.

Camino al portal de celestial mansión,
Topé un tratador térmico en terrible
condición
Vagabundo e infeliz, bajo dura
asignación,
–¡Nunca es tarde!– animé en sencilla
afirmación.
— Dan Herring, inspirado por El paraíso perdido,
John Milton, 1667.

Los cuantiosos años trasegados en la industria del tratamiento térmico me han enseñado dos lecciones invaluables. Primero, la nuestra es verdaderamente una ciencia empírica, una ciencia cuyos secretos se dan a conocer en el hacer y (en gran medida) a través de la prueba y el error. En segundo lugar, el sentido común triunfa cuando nada más lo logra; no hay nada que pueda sustituir la experiencia práctica.

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Así las cosas, la pregunta clave a materializar es: ¿de qué manera una persona que ingresa a la fuerza de trabajo en nuestra industria logra adueñarse del conocimiento necesario para convertirse en tratador térmico de talla mundial? El tema es de particular relevancia hoy en día dadas las demandas de rendimiento que pesan sobre los productos, al igual que la naturaleza velozmente evolutiva de la tecnología. (Figura 1)

En los hermosos días de antaño – entiéndase, en el “paraíso”--, las habilidades se adquirían con el paso del tiempo mediadas por un tutor. Las personas de mayor experiencia impartían a los aprendices la sabiduría conseguida fruto del duro esfuerzo, por lo regular en dosis bien medidas según se fueran presentando situaciones que exigieran enseñar una nueva lección o ampliar algún conocimiento. En el taller de tratamiento térmico esta modalidad cae como anillo al dedo.

Figura 1. Eslabones entre pasos críticos de la manufactura de
un producto (Fuente: The HERRING GROUP, Inc.)

Pero ¿qué de la actualidad? La presión hacia la producción que se ejerce sobre la ingeniería y la industria manufacturera ha disparado la demanda de respuestas instantáneas logradas a través de las búsquedas en internet y las investigaciones superficiales. Con frecuencia no hay ni tiempo ni tolerancia para el fracaso.

Uno de mis primeros mentores se lamentaba a menudo de que “la avaricia y la codicia serán el talón de Aquiles de los jóvenes; muy pocos quieren trabajar duro, y aprender cualquier habilidad ¡es duro trabajo!”

No obstante, encontramos muchos individuos jóvenes, esforzados, ávidos de aprender y de gran inteligencia que se vienen incorporando a la actual fuerza de trabajo. Tienden a ubicarse en una de dos categorías –los de excelentes habilidades teóricas que carecen de una experiencia práctica y los de habilidades prácticas que carecen de una comprensión básica de la interrelación entre el equipo, el proceso y el resultado.

El “secreto” del tratamiento térmico radica en controlar la variabilidad relacionada con el proceso y el equipo, pero el terreno de juego nunca permanece estable. Apenas creemos tener el proceso o el equipo bajo control, algo cambia: se presenta un escape, el medio de enfriamiento se deteriora, varía la humedad en el ambiente, y corre la lista sin fin.

¿Cómo, entonces, enseñarle a la próxima generación a enfrentar estos retos? De igual importancia, ¿cómo enseñar de manera tal que logremos retenerlos en nuestra industria? Sin el debido incentivo, motivación y dirección o elegirán un camino más gratificante o se irán en busca de una industria más “glamurosa”.

La clave del éxito en el taller del tratamiento térmico hoy en día es el trabajo en equipo, y la clave para adquirir el conocimiento radica en construir redes de información. Identifica fuentes informativas confiables y enfoca en ellas tu atención. Habla con las personas paraentender no solo lo que han aprendido sino también cómo lo aprendieron. Motiva a otros a compartir lo que saben, y comparte tu propio conocimiento. Saca provecho de los recursos que tengas a la mano, de manera especial lo que te puedan brindar las personas con mayor experiencia o quienes recién sehan retirado de la industria.

No tengas miedo ni de hacer el intento, ni de fracasar. Si fracasas, levántate, sacúdete el polvo, date el espacio de decir –Eso dolió--, y sal de nuevo a fracasar una y otra vez hasta que logres tu cometido.

Por último, piensa antes de actuar y actúa solo después de haber reflexionado tanto en tus acciones como en las consecuencias de las mismas. Nunca dejes de hacerte la pregunta, –¿Por qué no hay tiempo para hacer las cosas bien, pero siempre alcanza para repetir y repetir y repetir? Aquí tienes las claves del éxito y de una carrera gratificante y duradera.

Sobre el autor:

Dan Herring, The Heat Treat Doctor®, es el fundador de The HERRING GROUP, Inc. Más de 50 años en la industria le han sumado una inmensa experiencia en campos como la ciencia de los materiales, la ingeniería, la metalurgia, la investigación de productos nuevos y muchas áreas más. De su autoría existen seis libros y más de 700 artículos técnicos.

Para mayor información:
Contactar a Dan escribiendo a
dherring@heat-treat-doctor.com

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Paradise Lost?

/ FEATURED NEWS, OP-ED

Has the "Paradise" of heat treat been lost? What incentives and resources do young heat treaters need? Dan Herring, the Heat Treat Doctor®, is here to answer these questions, drawing from his own vast heat treat experience acquired over more than 50 years in the industry. 

Read the English translation of this article in the version below or read the Spanish translation when you click the flag to the right. Both the Spanish and the English versions were originally published in Heat Treat Today's September 2023 People of Heat Treat print edition.

Dan Herring
"The Heat Treat Doctor"
The HERRING GROUP, Inc.

On my way to Heaven’s gate,
I met a Heat Treater in a terrible state!
Wandering and miserable,
resolved to his fate,
I told him simply, it’s never too late!
— Dan Herring, inspired by Paradise Lost,
John Milton, 1667.

All my years spent in the heat treatment industry have taught me two invaluable lessons. First, ours is truly an empirical science, a science whose secrets reveal themselves by doing and (in large measure) through trial and error. Second, common sense triumphs when all else fails; there is no substitute for practical experience.

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The key question then becomes, how does a person entering the workforce in our industry gain the knowledge necessary to become a world-class heat treater? This is especially relevant today given the performance demands placed on products and the rapidly evolving nature of technology (Figure 1).

In “the good old days” — that is, in “Paradise” — skills were acquired through mentoring over time: More experienced personnel imparted hard-earned wisdom to their apprentices, usually in well-metered doses as situations arose that required a new lesson be taught or insights gained. Nowhere was this more fitting than in the heat treat shop.

But what about today? The pressure on engineering and manufacturing to produce has fueled the need for instant answers, achieved through Internet searches and superficial investigations. There is often no time, or tolerance, for failure.

Figure 1. Links between critical steps in product manufacturing
(Source: The HERRING GROUP, Inc.

One of my early mentors often lamented that “greed and avarice will be the Achilles heel of young people, too few of you want to work hard — and learning any skill is hard work!”

However, there are many hard-working, young, highly intelligent, and eager-to-learn individuals entering today’s workforce. They tend to fall into two categories — those with excellent theoretical skills who lack practical experience and those with practical skills who lack a basic understanding of the interaction between the equipment, process, and outcome.

The “secret” to heat treating is the control of process and equipment related variability. But the playing field is constantly in flux — as soon as we believe we have the process or equipment under control, something changes: a leak develops, quench media degrades, humidity in the room changes — the list goes on and on.

How, then, do we teach the next generation to meet these challenges? Equally important, how do we teach them to retain them in our industry? Without proper incentive, motivation, and guidance, they will either choose a more rewarding path or seek a more “glamorous” industry.

Teamwork is the key to success in today’s heat treat shop. And networking is the key to the acquisition of knowledge. Understand where the true sources of information lie and seek them out. Talk to people and understand not only what they’ve learned but how they learned it. Motivate others to share what they know. And share what you know. Tap into the resources available to you, especially from more experienced people, or those recently retired from the industry.

Don’t be afraid to try or to fail. If you do, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, take a moment to say, “That hurt,” and go out and fail again and again until you succeed.

Finally, think before you act, and act only after having thought through both your actions and their consequences. Constantly ask yourself, “Why is there never enough time to do something right, but always enough time to do it over (and over) again?”

These are your keys to success and a long, rewarding career.

About the Author:

Dan Herring, The Heat Treat Doctor®, is the founder of The HERRING GROUP, Inc. He has been in the industry for over 50 years and has gained vast experience in fields that include materials science, engineering, metallurgy, new product research, and many other areas. Dan is the author of six books and over 700 technical articles.

For more information:
Contact Dan at
dherring@heat-treat-doctor.com

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Paradise Lost? Read More »

Find Your Success by Giving Back

/ FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, OP-ED

What are qualities and best practices of a good leader? Joe Theismann, former quarterback for the Washington Redskins and present-day entrepreneur, invites Heat Treat Today's readers and 40 Under 40 honorees to contemplate leadership, specifically the successful leadership that is found by giving back. 

This article was originally published in Heat Treat Today's September 2023 People of Heat Treat print edition.

Joe Theismann
Entrepreneur, Former Washington Redskins Quarterback, Football Analyst
Source: Heat Treat Today

Congratulations to the 40 Under 40 Class of 2023. What an honor to be recognized as up-and-coming leaders in the heat treat industry. I am excited for you and the opportunities you have to lead and help those around you succeed. Because success is found by giving back. That may be something you don’t hear often, but I truly believe we must measure success by the way we are helping others.

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With leadership comes responsibilities. As a former professional quarterback as well as an owner of several businesses, I’ve learned a few key principles that I hope will be helpful as you grow as leaders. When performed effectively, they will set up you and your team well.

To succeed by giving back to others, start with the 3 E’s — environment, expectations, and execution.

Environment

The environment, or culture, encompasses the people with whom you work and lead. Being intentional about the kind of culture you create is vital to fostering innovation and freedom of communication. Enthusiasm is the engine that drives, and your attitude precedes everything.

Relationship building is key. Mentoring others by sharing your experiences and expertise is as important as learning from your mentees. Listen and learn — seek knowledge every day and don’t think you have all the answers. It’s the whole of the team that matters. Asking yourself what you can do to help others succeed is a vital component to building a healthy culture that will enable others to shine.

Expectations

Lead by explaining your “why” — be sure you know it and articulate it well. The details are critically important; ensure your team understands your expectations.

To know your why, identify your direction and practice disciplined leadership. Bill Parcells, former head coach of the New York Giants, talked about the importance of direction and discipline. Be definitive in providing direction and model discipline to stick with the task. Embrace the failures, learn from them, and encourage others to not fear them; it’s a process. Share these insights with your team!

Execution

Finally, if you’ve built a healthy environment and your team understands your expectations, lead with present-minded execution.

So, think about today, not yesterday; ask, “What is prevalent today?” And, with every day, be sure you are available to those who need you.

Be reliable in showing up to do the hard work. And be accountable to those you are leading and those to whom you report. Have their backs. Be proud of who you are and who you represent. Execute with confidence.

When Roadblocks Open Doors to True Success

What happens when you experience an unexpected roadblock in this wild adventure called life? Because you know it’s going to happen!

In 1985, during a Monday night game against the Giants, I suffered a severe fracture to my right leg between the knee and ankle that eventually led to my retirement from football. Sure wasn’t expecting that.

What I had to do was find another path that provided me with the same passion as the one that just closed. Was it difficult at first, yes, but because I spent time learning my trade, I was able to work as a sportscaster and pro football analyst for many years and loved it!

Mental toughness will be necessary when you hit those curves. It may not throw you out of the game, but it might throw you off. Focus on persevering, finding that passion, and remembering that success is found in giving back.

Congratulations! I look forward to seeing your success in the lives of the people you lead.

About the Author:

Joe Theismann is the former two-time Pro Bowl star quarterback for the Washington Redskins where he played for 12 seasons and led them to winning Super Bowl XVII. Most recently, he spent the last two decades working for ESPN and the NFL Network as an NFL analyst. He is also a successful restauranteur.

For more information:
Visit www.joetheismann.com

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The First of Eight Vacuum Furnaces Migrates Across Michigan

/ ATMOSPHERE AIR FURNACES NEWS, FEATURED NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

Solar Atmospheres of Michigan has begun the relocation of the first of eight existing vacuum furnaces from the old Vac-Met premises.

The first vacuum furnace (38” wide by 28” high by 72” deep), decommissioned from the Fraser Michigan plant, will be fully operational this week in the Chesterfield, Michigan, facility.

The migration of the next seven vacuum furnaces and other ancillary equipment, originating from both the Fraser, MI, and Warren, MI, plants, will occur every two weeks. By the end of 2023, the transferred assets will join the new existing Solar vacuum furnaces to form a new state of the art vacuum thermal treating facility in Michigan.

Robert (Bob) Hill, president of Solar Atmospheres of Michigan, comments, “To have all of our operations under one roof is a massive step for our employees and our company. Ownership of the vacant lot next to us gives the opportunity to grow the business more efficiently in one location. We are excited to get through this transition phase and look forward to 2024 and beyond!”

To view a video of the relocation process, see here.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ySZJX9EIRr0?si=vGgkb67lIHWsxeYm

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Check Out This Week’s Spotlight: Braddock Metallurgical

/ FEATURED NEWS, MTI MEMBER PROFILES

The journey began in 1953 for this family-run business, which started with only a single salt pot furnace and grew into a company with eight production facilities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Braddock Metallurgical was founded by its namesake, William R. Braddock, who mandated a mission to “help our customers succeed,” a goal still paramount to the company today. His belief that a well-trained workforce would result in superior customer service is the backbone of the company’s client- centered reputation of 70 years.

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Today, grandsons Griffith and Clay Braddock, along with the company’s senior management, led by President and CEO, George Gieger, work diligently on developing the company’s eight sites. Going back to the founding belief that a well-trained employee makes all the difference, Griffith and Clay also ensure that all employees are among the best trained and supported in the industry.

Aerospace, military, medical, automotive, and electronics industries are among those served by the company. As a full-service heat treat provider, the company facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and offer a comprehensive range of services including cryogenics, brazing, induction heat treating, black oxide, and more, as well as various metallurgical testing services. Unique capabilities include ferritic nitrocarburizing (FNC) with post oxidation, low-temperature nitriding of stainless steels, and vapor degreasing and bright hydrogen processing without discoloration.

Original location of Braddock Metallurgical in Bridgewater, NJ, circa 1975.

When it comes to equipment for these services, quality is of utmost importance. All high-positive pressure-quench vacuum furnaces and batch IQ furnaces are certified to AMS2750E. They have nitriding and induction equipment at select facilities and car bottom furnaces up to 35 feet long in New Jersey and 18 feet long in Tampa for stress relieving and aging. The company holds Nadcap accreditation for heat treating and brazing at four locations and is ISO & AS9100 certified at all facilities. All Nadcap accredited locations have achieved Merit status, thanks to the hard work and dedication of their employees.

To continue founder William’s commitment to the success of their clients, the company prioritizes upgrading technology and support systems, including instrumentation, laboratory equipment, and computer systems to stay on the cutting edge of technological advancements.

The team members have developed a high proficiency for brazing intricate honeycomb applications. Their expertise and techniques are applicable to a wide range of complex geometries and configurations, achieving results where others fail. Braddock leverages state-of-the-art cleaning processes, brazing filler metals, binders, and atmospheres to deliver braze joints of high quality.

From 50 ton pressure vessels, automotive transmissions, musical handpans, and surgical implants, to NASA space components, they encounter many unique and interesting parts, all of which testify to the creativity and talent of the team and their clients.

Throughout their history, the heat treater has partnered with their customers. From developing and bringing in new processes, investments in additional equipment and capacity, and even expansion into additional facilities, Braddock’s growth has been based on the needs of its customers.

As they look to the future, they will evaluate and act on any required additional capacity or capability and implement new technology when necessary to benefit existing equipment and instrumentation. Braddock Metallurgical  will continue innovating and implementing efficiencies to keep up with growing demand for high quality heat treating.

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News from Abroad: Hydrogen Processing and a Greener Future

/ FEATURED NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

Heat Treat Today is partnering with two international publications: heat processing, a Vulkan-Verlag GmbH publication that serves mostly the European and Asian heat treat markets, and Furnaces International, a Quartz Business Media publication that primarily serves the English-speaking globe. Through these partnerships, we are sharing the latest news, tech tips, and cutting-edge articles that will serve our audience — manufacturers with in-house heat treat.

In this article, all eyes are on CO2 and hydrogen. 

RATH Limiting CO2 Emissions with Furnace Operations

At the RATH plant in Krummnußbaum, Lower Austria, two new vacuum nitriding furnaces are being operated. (Source: heat processing)

“[Two] new vacuum nitriding furnaces, used exclusively for the production of silicon carbide plates and bricks in a nitrogen atmosphere, are now being operated with electricity. The result: CO2 emissions are around 70% lower than with the previous gas-fi red furnace, and fossil fuels are reduced to a minimum.”

Read More: “RATH reduces CO2 emissions by 70% in silicon carbide production” at heat-processing.com

Bigger, Greener, and Employee-Centered Growth in France

Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology AG announced in May 2023 a seven-year, €75 million investment plan for its Annecy site. (Source: heat processing)

“Our investment plan will serve to modernize and digitalize our production in order to continue our growth. We want to double the operations of our French subsidiary with a sales target of €600 million by 2030 and create 100 to 150 additional jobs,’ emphasized Dr. Britta Giesen, CEO of Pfeiffer Vacuum. During the same period, the Group intends to accelerate its course to reduce its CO2 emissions in Scope 1 and 2 to net zero by 2030.”

Read More: “Pfeiffer Vacuum invests €75 million in its location in France” at heat-processing.com

£4.6m Grant Assistance for Novelis To Establish Hydrogen
Burning Trials

With the recently awarded grant by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, Novelis’ Latchford plant will test the use of hydrogen on one of its recycling furnaces in a demonstration phase in 2024.
(Source: Furnaces International)

“Depending on the final configuration, replacing natural gas with hydrogen to feed the remelting furnace could reduce CO2 eq emissions by up to 90% compared to using the same amount of natural gas.”

Read More: "Toward Carbon Neutral Production: Novelis to Trial Use of Hydrogen in Recycling Furnaces” at furnaces-international.com

Fives and Hydro Successful Batch of Hydrogen-Fueled Recycled Aluminum

Green hydrogen is one of the most promising emission-free fuels to address the environmental challenges of heavy polluting industries, including aluminium.
(Source: Furnaces International)

"The test in Hydro Extrusion’s plant is the world’s first on an industrial scale. The natural gas was successfully replaced with green hydrogen in the recycling of aluminium, a key step towards decarbonization of Industry.”

Read More: “Fives and Hydro partner to produce the world’s first batch of hydrogen-fueled recycled aluminium” at furnaces-international.com

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