EDITOR

Message From the Editor: Survey: Heat Treaters Who Use Induction Heating Equipment

/ EDITOR, INDUCTION HEATING EQUIPMENT TECHNICAL CONTENT, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT

OCEver wonder what the status of induction heat treating is in North America? Well you can stop wondering: Check out these Induction Heating Survey results that represent approximately 450 induction units.

This original content article was written by Karen Gantzer, editor of Heat Treat Today, for Heat Treat Today's May 2021 Induction print edition. Feel free to contact Karen Gantzer at karen@heattreattoday.com if you have a question, comment, or any editorial contribution you’d like to submit.

Karen Gantzer
Managing Editor
Heat Treat Today

Heat Treat Today conducted a survey with those companies that perform in-house heat treating as well as commercial heat treaters who use induction heating equipment. The results represent approximately 450 induction units, and we received very interesting and beneficial information from the questions posed. Below is a sampling of the questions and responses.

When asked the number of induction coils owned, 27% have over 100 coils, 16% own 50 to 100, and 13.5% have ownership of between 16 to 30 coils. Interestingly, 50% of respondents design and make the vast majority of their induction coils.

There were eight different power supply and transformer selections noted in the results. 62.5% use IGBT generators, while 33.3% use vacuum tube generators, and tied for third with 25% of respondents using thyristor or MOSFET generators.

Surveys. Polls. While well-designed ones can require time to complete authentically, the effort is worth the data received because it helps many make informed decisions. Heat Treat Today believes that people make better decisions when they are well-informed, and so, with that thought in mind, if you’re interested in seeing the full report of this induction survey, please email me at Karen@heattreattoday.com.

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Heat Treat History Offers Promise to the Present

/ EDITOR, FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

In today’s article, Heat Treat Today’s editorial staff has gathered noteworthy reflections of heat treaters who are looking to the past to offer hope to present circumstances. Read more to see that while the present seems paused with Covid-19, the past offers promise of growth and change through challenges.

Like many markets, the heat treating industry is seeking to make the best out of this summer of 2020, and even though the market is looking more positive by the day, there are many who still look for a sense of normalcy. However, with leaders looking at historical moments in heat treat, they remind us that while the present seems paused with Covid-19, the past offers promise of growth and change through the challenges of life.

Sceenshot of Bodycote’s “An Interactive History of Metallurgy” (photo source: https://www.bodycote.com/history-of-metal/)

A major reach into the past is a throwback to the 90th century BC called “An Interactive History of Metallurgy.” In this historical timeline, Bodycote presents an engaging look at copper, bronze, iron, and tin through the centuries. The developments include detailed information, mostly funneled from Wikipedia, like the fact that bronze alloy in 12th century English candlesticks contained a degree of silver, antimony, and arsenic. And the modern, continuous development of steel is believed to have begun in the carbon furnaces of Sub-Saharan African communities.

(photo source: SECO/WARWICK)

On June 30, 2020, SECO/WARWICK released an “anniversary reflection” to commemorate the achievements of the Group in the first half of 2020. Among these is the 10th anniversary of their Chinese branch which has now become a recognized leader of CAB systems in heat treat, creating furnaces for aluminum brazing in controlled atmospheres. They conclude their message with a word from Sławomir Woźniak, President of the Management Board, saying, “We wish that health, patience and faith – embracing the world at large – will return to normal.”

Sanderson’s Weir (photo source: Shane Higgins on LinkedIn)

Finally, a recent LinkedIn post from Shane Higgins, Field Sales from Special Quality Alloys Ltd, shared a lunch-time crowd favorite: Sanderson’s Weir, built in the 1580s. With two iron forges on either side of the River Don in Sheffield, this low dam was built to provide power to the industrial work. Changes in the nature of industry has allowed a 20-year project along the River Don in Sheffield and Rotherham to permit a fish pass for salmon after 200 years without. It is impressive that the location that once produced iron still houses metalworking business.

 

 

 

(photo source: Hakon Sataoen on unsplash.com)

(photo source: https://www.bodycote.com/history-of-metal/)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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