FEATURED NEWS

IHEA Monthly Economic Report: Economy Strong, Rising Prices Predicted

/ FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT ECONOMIC NEWS

 

The monthly economic report published by the Industrial Heating Equipment Association (www.ihea.org) for its member companies reported that the economy is strong mostly due to tax cuts and deficit (debt) spending and warns of rising prices in the future.

Of the 11 indices that are watched and commented on each month, 5 of them are moving in a positive direction, lead by very strong positive numbers from both the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) as well as the Credit Managers Index (CMI). Six indices trending downward all moved only slightly downward, leaving economists to believe that the industrial sector may be treading water while the flood waters (literally and figuratively) recede and until the direction of the economy is more clear.

Of more immediate concern was the reason behind the strong economy. According to IHEA’s economist, the economy has responded positively primarily due to tax cuts and deficit spending. Both of these factors tend to result in future broad-based price increases.

The 11-page report has one overview page followed by 10 pages of deep-dive analysis, one page for each of the 11 indices watched.

 

 

To get a full copy of this monthly report, please contact Anne Goyer, Executive Director of the Industrial Heating Equipment Association (IHEA). Email Mrs. Goyer by clicking here.

Ann Goyer, Executive Director of IHEA
Anne Goyer, Executive Director of IHEA

 

IHEA Monthly Economic Report: Economy Strong, Rising Prices Predicted Read More »

Medical Device Manufacturer Acquires Metal and Silicon Nitride Developer

/ FEATURED NEWS, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT NEWS, NITRIDING NEWS

 

A medical device design, development, and manufacturing company recently announced plans to acquire an innovative biomaterials and OEM company that develops and commercializes silicon nitride for various biomedical applications including orthopedic, dental and arthroplasty.

Amedica Corporation announced that it has entered into an asset purchase agreement with CTL Medical, based in Dallas, Texas, medical device manufacturer with in-house manufacturing facilities that focuses on the spine implant and instrument market. The agreement will make CTL Medical the exclusive owner of Amedica’s portfolio of metal and silicon nitride spine products, with access to future silicon nitride spine technologies.

Dr. Sonny Bal, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Amedica

As part of the up to $10 million transaction, CTL Medical will acquire Amedica’s entire existing inventory of spine products, including US and OUS regulatory clearances and intellectual property related to such. Amedica’s products, which are presently sold under the brand names of Taurus, Preference, and Valeo will be transferred to CTL Medical, while manufacturing, R&D, and all intellectual property related to the core biomaterial technology of silicon nitride will remain with Amedica in Salt Lake City. Amedica will serve as CTL’s exclusive OEM provider of silicon nitride products.

Following the purchase, CTL Medical will change its name to CTL Amedica. Amedica will re-position under a new name that is reflective of the breadth of its technology and potential applications.

“The transaction makes strategic sense, by monetizing our commercial spine sales organization and allowing Amedica to focus on its core biomaterials and OEM business,” said Dr. Sonny Bal, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Amedica. “The addition of a highly-differentiated silicon nitride and metal product line to CTL Medical’s complete offering of spine surgery implants and instruments will benefit both companies, as well as our surgeon customers. Amedica’s products and scientific data have established that silicon nitride resists bacteria, promotes bone healing, and has superior clinical outcomes. CTL Medical is best positioned to profitably leverage these advantages in the retail spine market.”

CTL Medical produces a full line of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar products (hence “CTL”) at its manufacturing headquarters in Dallas, Texas.

Medical Device Manufacturer Acquires Metal and Silicon Nitride Developer Read More »

Women-Owned Metal Stamping Co Launches with Range of Services, Including Heat Treating

/ FEATURED NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

 

A woman-owned metal stamping company with heat treating capabilities serving a broad range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, energy, medical and general manufacturing, has recently launched as a new entity following a limited asset purchase of a 50-year-old manufacturing company in Downers Grove, Illinois.

Cheryl Wellman, company owner and president, Integrity Manufacturing Inc.

Integrity Manufacturing Inc., which also provides a job shop and assembly work for multiple industries obtained a great limited asset/limited liability agreement with Lindy Manufacturing. Integrity opens its doors with an established customer base and expanded services, two additional plants in Chicago and one in Los Angeles.

"The trend of women in manufacturing is growing, and it reflects on the fact that women are at the forefront of how the market is changing," said Cheryl Wellman, company owner and president, originally a key player at Lindy Manufacturing. "Manufacturers are more than providers of goods: we also advise and support our customers, and that allows for long-term relationships and the development of customized solutions."

Both Wellman and Integrity's vice president, Holly Barajas, held multiple positions within Lindy Manufacturing and worked closely on projects from beginning to end. She oversaw all aspects of production, shipping, and customer service, in addition to marketing and plant management. The decision to create the new company included joining forces with another Lindy Manufacturing employee, Sean Stack, who currently serves as Integrity's General Manager.

"Our goal for Integrity is to take American manufacturing to a new level," says Wellman. "That means putting a priority on quality and innovation, giving our employees the training and support they need and working collaboratively with both them and our clients."

Integrity Manufacturing Inc's management team: Holly Barajas, vice-president; Cheryl Wellman, president and owner; Sean Stack, general manager

 

Women-Owned Metal Stamping Co Launches with Range of Services, Including Heat Treating Read More »

Cooling the Vacuum Furnace: 5 Tips for Prevention, Maintenance

/ COOLING SYSTEMS TECHNICAL CONTENT, FEATURED NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES TECHNICAL CONTENT

 

 

Source: TAV: The Vacuum Furnaces Blog

 

Andrew Alborghetti of TAV Vacuum Furnaces

It’s frustrating enough for furnace operators to encounter downtime due to failure or faulty equipment, but more so when it can be avoided adhering to basic maintenance procedures and adopting habits of diligence and quick thinking.

Andrew Alborghetti of TAV Vacuum Furnaces offers “5 tips for preventing faults caused by the process water in the cooling system [of a vacuum furnace or by] the use of unsuitable equipment.” In addition, he suggests steps to take when an emergency develops.

In a nutshell,

  1. Maintain specific purity standards of the process water.
  2. Prevent dangerous enrichment by maintaining valves.
  3. Keep an eye on your process water temperature.
  4. Avoid damage from external cold temperatures.
  5. Consider investing in a  closed circuit adiabatic water cooling system.

An excerpt:

“For the vacuum furnace to meet the considerable need for water it must have sufficient capacity (tub or tank) to quickly transfer heat from the furnace and from the load. The capacity of the tank determines the size of the system for cooling the water contained in it. Of course, the bigger the tank, the smaller the water cooling system it contains. When there are numerous furnaces, the size of the tank is calculated based on averaged values for behavior in the respective heat cycles.” ~ TAV Vacuum Furnaces

Click below for more on the 5 tips as well as steps you can take should your shop face an emergency such as a power outage that affects the water cooling system

 

Read more: “The Furnace Cooling System: 5 Tips to Avoid Damage”

 

Photo credit: TAV Vacuum Furnaces Blog

Cooling the Vacuum Furnace: 5 Tips for Prevention, Maintenance Read More »

Japanese Bearings Maker Opens New Plant with Heat Treating in TN

/ AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT, AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT NEWS, FEATURED NEWS

 

 

Source: The Rogersville Review

 

Akitsohi Fujikawa, president of Miyake Forging North America Corporation

A Japanese bearing manufacturer which incorporates heat treating into its processing recently celebrated the opening of its new 48,000-sq-ft plant in Phipps Bend Industrial Park in Surgoinsville, Tennessee.

This is Miyake Forging’s first expansion into North America. The company currently operates in Japan and Thailand, producing bearings and components for bearing assemblies for the automotive industry. Bearing the name Miyake Forging North America, the facility was built to adapt to growth and allow for expansion.

“I have a great feeling about opening our new facility in Hawkins County. At Miyake, we are very happy to expand our business in the United States of America. We are extremely thankful to all of the people who helped make this happen.” ~ Akitsohi Fujikawa, president of Miyake Forging North America Corporation

 

Photo credit and caption: The Rogersville Review, Miyake Forging North America company officials and representatives after the ribbon-cutting.

 

Japanese Bearings Maker Opens New Plant with Heat Treating in TN Read More »

15 Quick Heat Treat News Items to Keep You Current

/ FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

15 Quick Heat Treat News Items to Keep You Current

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry.

Personnel and Company Chatter

  • ThermTech of Waukesha, Wisconsin, celebrates the groundbreaking of a 10,500-square-foot manufacturing addition. Construction is expected to be completed in December 2018. 
  • An Ohio-based engineering firm, Dana Incorporated, announced a new series of Brevini™ heavy-duty winch drives for marine and offshore applications.  This new series of lightweight winch drives have been engineered with a sealing system designed to withstand harsh marine environments, and with improved power density, housing made from either cast iron or steel, and high-radial load bearings to deliver reliable lifting performance for heavy loads.
  • Brunel University London opened its Advanced Metal Processing Centre (AMPC) at the Brunel Center for Advanced Solidification Technology (BCAST), which will enable R&D activity to enable innovations, such as lightweight car parts, to make the leap from the lab to full-scale industrial trials. The 1,500 sq m AMPC facility includes industrial and pilot-scale equipment for processing and fabrication of extruded metals (novel bending processes, machining, and advanced joining); additional casting processes (gravity die casting and sand casting, etc.), and supporting materials characterization technologies (strength and fatigue testing and 3D x-ray tomography).
  • A global leader in manufacturing and overhauling aerospace structures, systems, and components, Triumph Group, Inc., based in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, recently announced that its Aerospace Structures business has been awarded a multi-year airframe component contract for Lockheed Martin’s C130J Super Hercules program. Under initial terms of the contract, Triumph Fabrications in San Diego, California will provide 108 different part numbers for the C130J program. The parts include fabricated sheet metal structures made from a combination of aluminum, steel and titanium materials that will be fitted to the nacelle, wing and fuselage sections of the aircraft.
  • Aerospace equipment manufacturer Liebherr Aerospace has been awarded another contract from Boeing Commercial Airplanes for their 777 and 777X programs. Liebherr-Aerospace will deliver two electronic components of the main gear steering system for the two wide-bodies: the main gear steering control unit and the nose gear steering position transducer.
  • Engineered bearings and power transmission manufacturer, The Timken Company, based in Canton, Ohio, recently completed the acquisition of Rollon Group, a leader in engineered linear motion products. Rollon specializes in the design and manufacture of engineered linear guides, telescopic rails and linear actuators used in a wide range of industries such as passenger rail, aerospace, packaging and logistics, medical and automation.
  • Gear Motions, which has divisional offices in central New York, recently appointed to executive positions: Dan Bartelli to Director of Operations of Nixon Gear, a division of Gear Motions, and Anna Pastore to Corporate Controller. Bartelli, who began his career as a machinist, also recently celebrated his 30th anniversary with Nixon Gear, a division of Gear Motions. He is responsible for all Nixon Gear Division Operations including Manufacturing, Quality, and Engineering. Pastore previously served as Director of Finance for Cascade & Maverik Lacrosse, and Vice President of Finance of the Produce and Technology Division at Agway.
  • Worthington Industries, a metals manufacturing firm based in Columbus, Ohio, announced today that Mark Russell, president and COO is retiring. Andy Rose has been named president and will continue as chief financial officer (CFO). Geoff Gilmore has been named vice president and chief operating officer (COO) and will also continue to lead the Pressure Cylinders business.

Equipment Chatter

  • An electric box furnace has been supplied to a plant located in Louisiana that is a global supplier of large industrial valves for various industries. L&L Special Furnace Co., Inc., shipped this furnace, which is the fifth supplied by the company to this facility. The furnace is used to both heat treat and temper various rings and seals deployed in the manufacturing of valves used in the power-generation field. It is also used for general heat treating of various steels prior to machining.
  • Two furnaces have recently been shipped to customers from Grieve Corporation. No. 1040 is a 2200°F (1204°C), inert atmosphere pit furnace, currently used for heat treating automotive parts in baskets at the customer’s facility. No. 989 is an electrically heated, 2,000°F (1,093°C) inert atmosphere furnace from Grieve, used to process fabricated parts at the customer’s facility.
  • A leader in the technology industry recently purchased an electrically heated enhanced duty walk-in oven from Wisconsin Oven Corporation to be used for composite curing small parts. The batch oven has the capability to heat 16,000 pounds of a composite material from 70° F to 350° F within 6-7 hours.

Kudos Chatter

  • Akron Steel Treating celebrated its 75th anniversary August 31, 2018, with guests, officials, employees, customers, and suppliers in attendance, as well as the deputy mayor for economic development, Samuel D. DeShazior, who presented AST president Joseph Powell with a letter of congratulations from Mayor Daniel Horrigan. Joe’s grandfather, Prosper P. Powell, founded the company in 1943, and his daughter, Christina Somogye, recently purchased a 10% interest in ASTC and is an integral part of the succession plan.

  • For the second year in a row, GKN Aerospace has received a supplier award from Spirit AeroSystems. Spirit recognized GKN Aerospace with a Collaboration Values Partner award for superior performance at the 2018 Spirit AeroSystems supplier recognition banquet in Wichita, Kansas. In addition, GKN Aerospace also recently announced via Stratasys that the company is improving production times and removing design constraints for multiple tooling applications since integrating additive manufacturing at its Filton manufacturing site in the UK.
  • Retech Systems, a SECO/WARWICK company based in Mendocino County, California, recently won North Bay Maker Award for “best manufacturing process innovation”.
  • Induction heating company Ambrell Corporation is the honoree for the Global Advancement Award and Ambrell President Tony Mazzullo is a finalist for CEO of the Year at the Technology and Manufacturing Awards, created by the Rochester Business Journal and Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association. The Global Advancement Award is given to a company that demonstrates dynamic growth through expansion of export opportunities and participation in new global markets. The CEO of the Year demonstrates leadership in the industry, commitment to staff development, and dedication to the Greater Rochester/Finger Lakes Region. Tony Mazzullo is one of two finalists and the winner will be announced on October 23rd.

Heat Treat Today is pleased to join in the announcements of growth and achievement throughout the industry by highlighting them here on our News Chatter page. Please send any information you feel may be of interest to manufacturers with in-house heat treat departments especially in the aerospace, automotive, medical, and energy sectors to the editor at editor@heattreattoday.com.

 

15 Quick Heat Treat News Items to Keep You Current Read More »

Agreement Reached to Initiate Titanium 3D Printing for Boeing 787

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT, AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, FEATURED NEWS, TITANIUM PROCESSING NEWS

 

A Wichita, Kansas-based, manufacturer of fabricated parts for the aerospace industry recently announced its partnership with the world’s pioneering supplier of aerospace-grade, additive-manufactured, structural titanium components to initiate qualification of parts for the Boeing 787.

Spirit AeroSystems and Norsk Titanium US Inc. have reached an agreement to initiate qualification of Spirit’s first additive-manufactured, titanium, structural component for the Boeing aircraft.

Ron Rabe, Spirit AeroSystems Senior Vice President of Fabrication and Supply Chain Management

This qualification will validate NTi’s production and industrialization processes, integrate Spirit’s work scope of machining final parts from additively manufactured near-net shapes, and verify material and final part conformity to requirements.

“Spirit has had a comprehensive and long relationship with Norsk Titanium, and this part will be our first additive structural titanium component incorporated into a commercial airplane program,” said Ron Rabe, Spirit AeroSystems Senior Vice President of Fabrication and Supply Chain Management.

NTi is the world’s first FAA-approved, OEM qualified, supplier of additive-manufactured, structural titanium components.  NTi’s proprietary Rapid Plasma Deposition™ (RPD™) process has been in serial production of Boeing 787 titanium components since April 2017.

“I am very proud of the Norsk Titanium team and this accomplishment. It represents years of technology development,” said Mike Canario, CEO of Norsk Titanium. “I also would also like to thank Spirit for this vote of confidence in the Norsk RPD™ process and capability.”

Mike Canario, CEO of Norsk Titanium

NTi’s Plattsburgh, N.Y., facility was recently added to Spirit’s Approved Supplier List (ASL) and Boeing’s Qualified Producer’s List (QPL).  Spirit and NTi have had an ongoing technology collaboration for more than nine years. In 2017, both companies signed a Master Procurement Agreement (MPA) for qualification and production activities.  The first commercial aircraft part will begin serial production later this year.

Agreement Reached to Initiate Titanium 3D Printing for Boeing 787 Read More »

Corrosion-Free Heat Treatment and Hardface Coating Systems

/ FEATURED NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

 

 

Source: TechBriefs

 

From an article provided by the Office of Technology Commercialization and Partnerships and published at Tech Briefs, heat treaters and other students of metal alloys can glean valuable information about hardface coating systems developed to protect from and build resistance to high wear deterioration, weak interfacial bonding, and corrosion.

In applications ranging from sports equipment to turbine blades, and power-generating surfaces to military hardware,

“Metal alloys, such as titanium alloys and steels, are known to have a good combination of mechanical properties for many structural applications, but these metal alloys do not meet the wear and corrosion resistance requirements for some structural applications. . . . To overcome these shortcomings and provide high wear- and corrosion-resistant surfaces on metal alloy substrates, surface alloying and reactive surface modification have been developed — depositing and post-heat-treating a unique combination of materials, selected based upon the substrate material and specific application environment.” ~ Tech Briefs

 

Read more: “Hardface Coating Systems for Wear and Corrosion Resistance”

Corrosion-Free Heat Treatment and Hardface Coating Systems Read More »

Steel Expansion in Kentucky Increases Production Tonnage, Coil Width

/ ENERGY HEAT TREAT, FEATURED NEWS

 

A steel manufacturer with operating facilities throughout the U.S. and Canada recently announced plans to expand the production capability of its flat-rolled sheet steel mill located in Ghent, Kentucky.

John Ferriola, Chairman, CEO & President of Nucor

Nucor Corporation’s Board of Directors approved an investment of $650 million to increase the production capability from 1,600,000 tons to approximately 3,000,000 tons annually and will increase the maximum coil width to approximately 73 inches. The project is expected to create 70 full-time jobs.

This expansion supports the current construction of a hot band continuous pickle galvanizing line at Nucor Steel Gallatin.  The pickle galvanizing line is expected to be operational in the first half of 2019 and will produce approximately 500,000 tons per year of galvanized hot band steel. Nucor continues to evaluate additional expansion projects as part of the company’s initiative to further grow its sheet business.

“This investment is another major component of our planned strategy for long-term profitable growth,” said John Ferriola, Chairman, CEO & President of Nucor. “Together with the new galvanizing line, this expansion increases our presence in the important Midwest market, specifically in the automotive, agriculture, heavy equipment, and energy pipe and tube sectors.” Nucor acquired the former Gallatin Steel Company in late 2014 for a purchase price of approximately $780 million.

Photo credit: Charlotte Business Journal

Steel Expansion in Kentucky Increases Production Tonnage, Coil Width Read More »

Canadian Heat Treater Expands Production Capability with UBQ, UBT Furnaces

/ FEATURED NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

 

A Canadian commercial heat treater has expanded their heat treatment production capability with the purchase of two furnaces, installed at the company’s newly built manufacturing facility in Chateauguay (suburb Montreal) and to be used for general heat treating.

Tracy Dougherty, sales manager at AFC-Holcroft

Thermetco of Montreal, the largest commercial heat treater in Quebec, purchased a new UBQ (Universal Batch Quench) furnace and a new UBT (Universal Batch Temper) furnaces from Michigan-based industrial furnace manufacturer AFC-Holcroft to serve customers in the automotive, aerospace, energy and petrochemical industries. The equipment offers the capability of providing metallurgical processes such as carburizing, carbonitriding, annealing, tempering, stress relieving, and other processes.

“The Thermetco team has a history of building thermal processing equipment in the past and were able to quickly identify many of the key factors that make the UBQ an industry leader, including recovery rates, maintainability, Batchmaster™ controls, Remote Diagnostics™, energy saving high/low endo flow, multiple speed quench, etc.,” said Tracy Dougherty, sales manager at AFC-Holcroft. “This order marks the first purchase of AFCHolcroft equipment by Thermetco. We’re very excited about the opportunity to be a part of the Thermetco expansion plans.”

Delivery took place in the first quarter of 2018.

 

Canadian Heat Treater Expands Production Capability with UBQ, UBT Furnaces Read More »