Aerospace
Automotive
Medical
Energy
Manufacturing
Source: ETMM
In the recent weeks, two huge investments in Poland have been confirmed. Not only will they help create several thousand new jobs but they should also have a positive influence on the country’s economy.
Read more: International Giants Invest by Robert Ocetkiewicz and Rosemarie Stahl
Rolls Royce, General Electric and Lufthansa Invest in Poland Read More »
With last year’s successful conclusion of customer seminars in California, Texas and Connecticut, Ipsen will begin 2017 by continuing to provide one-day, expert-taught classes throughout the United States. Ipsen’s next available seminars will occur on Wednesday, February 22 in Greenville, South Carolina and on Wednesday, March 1 in West Chester, Ohio.
During this one-day training, you will learn how to master the nuances of maintenance and Aerospace compliance. You will also be able to take part in an open-forum discussion on your specific maintenance challenges throughout the day.
Specific topics covered during the seminar include:
Ipsen has been providing training to the heat treatment industry for 30+ years, both on-site at Ipsen U and at customers’ facilities. This local seminar carries on the tradition of these trainings, teaching you best practices for regaining control of your equipment and offering insight into specific issues you might be experiencing on a daily basis.
The seminar is $60 per registration, including meals and handouts. Additional locations will also be available soon. Learn more and register now at www.IpsenUSA.com/Seminar.
Ipsen to Offer One-Day, Furnace Maintenance-Focused Seminars Read More »
Source: ETMM
Vehicle and aircraft manufacturers are positive about 2017. Increased passenger traffic is pushing up demand for new aircraft, whilst new models are expected to drive automotive sales.
Read More: Positive Outlook by Martin Courtney and Barbara Schulz
Source: Forging
Jorgensen Forge, a Tukwila, WA, open-die forger and ring-rolling operation, has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy as one of three companies now owned by CE Star Holdings LLC, a company formed to buy the assets from Constellation Enterprises, which filed for creditor protection in May.
The Seattle-area plant forges low alloy and stainless grades of steel, aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, and nickel-based alloys. Production equipment includes four open-die presses and two ring-rolling mills. It also offers heat-treating and machining, and it has special capabilities for “marine shafting” as well as full testing and inspection services. Its customers are manufacturers supplying aerospace, energy, defense, and general industrial markets.
Read More: Jorgensen Forge Acquired, “Even Better Positioned” by Robert Brooks
Jorgensen Forge Acquired Read More »
Long-time heat treating expert, Peter Huskek of Phoenix Heat Treating, a fourth generation commercial heat treating institution, is branching out into the computer simulation arena with a very impressive, 3D temperature uniformity survey (TUS) reporting tool called Virtual Visual Surveys (www.virtualvisualsurveys.com). What Mr. Hushek and his team, including key developer Jeff Murch, have developed under the company name of Thermal Innovation Technologies, Inc., is a 3D visualization tool capable of showing furnace operators what their furnace uniformity looks like. This 3D visualization software helps quality personnel know if a furnace will pass a TUS, and if not why. It also allows maintenance personnel the opportunity to isolate and diagnose problem areas within the work area of the furnace. The 3D visualization package is offered as a service. For more information, visit www.virtualvisualsurveys.com.
3D TUS Software Released to Heat Treat Market Read More »
Over the next one and a half decades global demand for almost 40,000 new aircraft is forecast. The major investment in a new, state-of-the-art forging line demonstrates that Voestalpine is again staying abreast of the dynamic developments in the aerospace sector.
The aerospace industry is one of the key drivers of our international growth strategy in the future market of mobility. All most important aircraft manufacturers already rely on technologies and products from Voestalpine. By intensifying our innovation and investment activities we aim to further expand our position as a leading provider also in this sophisticated customer segment-
The Special Steel Division of the Voestalpine Group is one of the leading global suppliers of high-performance materials and special forgings for the aerospace industry. Its highly stress-resistant products include structural parts, engine components and mounts, landing gear parts, and door segments that are used in the aircraft programs of manufacturers including Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, and Embraer.
The new high-tech forging line will not only play a key role in increasing volumes in the aerospace business segment, but it will also set new standards in product quality, process automation, and digitalization. As a result, this investment significantly strengthens the technological leadership enjoyed by our Styrian production companies. Investment in a new special steel plant is also in planning as a means of opening up new dimensions in materials production. This is in addition to, and independent of, the current project. A final decision on the location of the special steel plant is expected for the second half of 2017.
Moreover, the new facility will produce forged components for oil and gas exploration which are required to withstand extreme conditions both on land and at sea. The high-tech forging line will process the material with a pressing force of 4,400 tonnes and a speed of up to 120 strokes per minute, or 2 strokes per second.
Voestalpine Invests Millions in Aerospace Read More »
Rolls-Royce recently announced that it is growing its presence in Southern California with a $30 million expansion into a new 62,000-sq-ft facility that will be dedicated to the research and development of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials and processes for use in next-generation aerospace engine components. Rolls-Royce held a dedication ceremony with federal, state, and local officials; customers; and employees at the new facility. Rolls-Royce purchased Hyper-Therm High-Temperature Composites (HTC) in May 2013 and continues to grow and invest with this new “CMC technology hub” located in Cypress, Calif.
“The development of lighter, stronger, composite fiber components is just part of our commitment to continuously improve the performance of our products by focusing on lowering fuel consumption, emissions and noise,” said Marion Blakey, Rolls-Royce president and CEO of North America. “The team here in Cypress will be dedicated to seeing the commercial application of these technologies that will soon be adopted into advanced manufacturing production methods for gas turbine components.”
“I want to welcome Rolls-Royce to its new location in Cypress, and I applaud their commitment to bring jobs and grow their innovative R&D facility here in Southern California,” said Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.). “Today’s official opening highlights yet again that Southern California has the tools, the skills, and the talent to grow our already established aerospace industry here.”
“The turbine sits at the heart of the engine. I am very excited about several technologies we are developing across Rolls-Royce that will contribute to a significant reduction in fuel consumption,” said Andy Greasley, executive vice president of turbines, civil aerospace. “Our HTC team in California is part of a global team working on high-temperature composites. This dedication ceremony represents the completion of another major milestone and the creation of a state-of-the art facility specifically purposed for the development of our next-generation turbine materials.”
The facility reportedly will develop production-ready manufacturing processes and produce components that will be used for engine test programs. From there, manufacturing processes refined in the Cypress facility will be applied to a future dedicated production facility for manufacturing of engine components. Since Rolls-Royce acquired Hyper-Therm in 2013, it has grown from 15 employees to nearly 50. The company expects to hire at least 10 more people this year, with the potential for 40 more positions as the production and product testing increase.
Rolls-Royce to Invest $30 Million in New CMC R&D Facility Read More »
Source: Russian Aviation Insider
Russia’s VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation, the world’s largest titanium producer, is successfully increasing the share of machining in its output both within its own projects and jointly with partners. The company’s close ties with the international aerospace industry allow it to plan further production growth.
Read More: Titanium Success
Source: Russian Aviation Insider
Alcoa Samara (Arconic SMZ), Russia’s largest producer of fabricated aluminum and VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of titanium ingots and forged products, have announced the operational launch of a joint venture.
Read more to find out the name of this joint venture.
Alcoa and VSMPO-AVISMA Launch Aerospace Joint Venture Read More »
Jason Schulze, Conrad Kacsik Instruments, Inc.
This is the second in a series of articles by AMS 2750 expert, Jason Schulze. Don't miss the Q&A section at the bottom of this article and please submit your AMS 2750 questions for Jason to Doug@HeatTreatToday.com.
Introduction
Considering the abundant number of Nadcap heat treat audits performed in a single year, the area receiving the most findings is pyrometry, and within this group, system accuracy testing (SAT) is the third most common finding.
The SAT process has been refined through each revision of AMS2750 (C through E). We’ve seen SAT thermocouple requirements, for example, gradually incorporated into the tables but not within the body of the specification. Also, we’ve seen the definition of a SAT incorporated into revision D within the definitions section; however, with revision E it was added to the body of the specification.
AMS2750E presents three optional methods for performance of SATs that must be implemented; the Standard (or Regular) SAT, the Alternate SAT, and the SAT Waiver. Within this article, we will focus on the Standard SAT process.
Standard SAT Description – AMS 2750E
AMS2750E has defined the Standard SAT as:
An on-site comparison of the instrument/leadwire/sensor readings or values, with the readings or values of a calibrated test instrument/leadwire/sensor to determine if the measured temperature deviations are within applicable requirements. Performed to assure the accuracy of the furnace control and recorder system in each control zone.
Put simply, an SAT is a comparison of two systems: the furnace system (whether control, monitoring, or load) against a test system. It’s important to recognize that the comparison is being made against two systems and not against an instrument or thermocouple alone. Each system is made up of three variables:
SAT Procedure
There is no general SAT procedure that can be applied for every supplier. Each supplier has their own needs as well as their own mechanical arrangement of thermocouples within their furnace system. The key to conformity is to ensure that, once a method for performing an SAT on a furnace is established, it is documented (i.e., in detail, including photos, if necessary) and repeated each time an SAT is performed. Some requirements to incorporate into your system are:
1) The tip-to-tip distance between the furnace system thermocouple and the test system thermocouple cannot exceed 3 inches.
2) The test thermocouple shall be in the same position/depth as the initial test.
3) The furnace is cycled and maintained at a temperature normally used during production.
4) Each system that makes up the applicable instrumentation type must be tested.
SAT Difference
Many findings arise from suppliers calculating the SAT Difference incorrectly. AMS 2750E states the following as a way to calculate the SAT Difference.
The difference calculated between the reading of the furnace sensor system being tested (sensor, lead wire, and instrument) and the corrected reading of the test sensor system (after test sensor and test instrument correction factors are applied) shall be recorded as the system accuracy test difference. Applicable correction factors shall be applied algebraically.
I’ve highlighted the word “corrected” as it applies to the test instrument systems because this seems to be a source of frequent findings. The furnace system does not get corrected, the test system does get corrected.
As an example, let’s consider a vacuum furnace which has had an SAT performed. The vacuum furnace is designated a Class 3 (±15°F) Type D furnace. Let’s assume no additional furnace thermocouples are employed and we are performing an SAT on the control and recording systems. The readings obtained are below in the picture.
Conclusion
SATs can be difficult depending on the equipment and processes suppliers have. As always, it’s important to receive comprehensive training regarding the specific requirements of System Accuracy Testing as they apply to your facility. There are many particular aspects of SATs that may not have been accounted for in this article. If you have specific questions, please email them to doug@heattreattoday.com, and I will answer them in an upcoming article.
Submit Your Questions
Please feel free to submit your questions, and I will answer appropriately in future articles.
Out next topic will focus on the requirements and execution of an Alternate SAT per AMS2750E, the requirements of AC7102/8 and the Pyrometry Guide.
Q: When calculating the SAT Difference, should I include the correction factors of the furnace sensor?
A: No, the correction factor from the furnace sensor is not to be included in the SAT Difference calculation.
Q: How do I account for an internal (pre-programmed) TUS offset within the controller when calculating the SAT Difference?
A: Internal or electronic TUS offset must be algebraically removed when calculating the SAT Difference. Below is an example that includes an electronic TUS offset of -2°F.
Q: I operate a furnace with 2 load sensors. One of them is used to signal the start and end of each soak cycle, the other is reference only. Do I have to perform an SAT on the load thermocouple I use as a reference only thermocouple?
A: Any thermocouple that is not used as product acceptance may be deemed reference only and is not subject to the SAT requirements of AMS2750E. Nadcap requires that the reference only thermocouples be accounted for in internal procedures.
Q: When performing my bi-weekly SAT, I get a difference of +2.6°F on one test and two weeks later I get a difference of -3°F; this constitutes a spread (within two weeks) of 5.6°F. Would this be cause for SAT failure?
A: According to AMS2750E and Nadcap, no, this would not constitute a failed SAT, though is something to be cautious of. This type of shift in SAT results does reflect some sort of change or degradation of the system being tested. A well-established tack, in this case, is to plot SAT results as part of an SPC (statistical process control) program which will govern future replacement of system thermocouples and/or leadwire (in the case when large difference is SAT results over a pre-determined amount). A documented SPC system for SAT results would also satisfy the requirements of AC7102/8(NA) page 2, paragraph 3.12.
Jason Schulze on Understanding AMS 2750E — Standard SAT Description Read More »