AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT Archives - Page 20 of 35

Japanese Bearings Maker Opens New Plant with Heat Treating in TN

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.

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High Value Alloys Plant Powers On in UK

September 21, 2018 / AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT, AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT NEWS

A U.K. technology company with a solid-state process to produce valuable alloy powders is powering up the world’s first commercial plant at its Materials Manufacturing Centre in Wath upon Dearne, South Yorkshire, U.K.

Since Metalysis’s mechanical completion of the Generation 4 (“Gen4”) project, it has undergone hot commissioning, trial runs, optimization and handover to operations. The handover signifies Metalysis’ transition into commercial production following more than a decade of phased technology development.

Dr. Dion Vaughan, chief executive officer, Metalysis

Gen4 is the first facility to take Metalysis’ solid-state, modular, electrochemical process to industrial scale and can produce tens-to-hundreds of tonnes per annum of high value, niche, and master alloys. It creates a new U.K. source of supply for global end-users in advanced manufacturing disciplines including aerospace, automotive, batteries, light-weighting, magnets, mining and 3D printing consumables.

Metalysis’ technology has multi-metal capability, which enables the company to produce a mix of titanium alloys — master alloy “recipes”, including Scandium-Aluminide, which continues to pose excellent launch product potential, as announced on 11 June 2018; compositionally complex alloys including High Entropy Alloys; magnet materials; high temperature materials; and Platinum Group Metal alloys.

“In powering up and operating our industrial plant, Metalysis is poised to achieve its target to generate significant profits from our new South Yorkshire production facility,” said Dr. Dion Vaughan, chief executive officer. “Ours is a true British success story with international implications. Metalysis has grown from the ‘lightbulb moment’ at Cambridge University in the late-1990s, relocated to South Yorkshire to benefit from regional excellence in operational skillsets in the early-2000s, and now onwards towards a bright commercial future.”

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New Mercedes-Benz X-Class Pickup, Sprinter Van to Sport Customized Lightweight Propshafts

September 13, 2018 / AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT, AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT NEWS

A global engineering firm based in Maumee, Ohio, recently announced that it has been selected by a German multinational automotive corporation to supply front and rear propshafts to the all-new Mercedes-Benz X-Class pickup truck and latest generation Sprinter van.

Bob Pyle, president of Dana Light Vehicle Driveline Technologies

Dana Incorporated was awarded the Sprinter propshaft business for Daimler AG’s all-wheel-drive offerings in North America and Europe, as well as rear-wheel-drive offerings in North America and Argentina. Dana customized its lightweight Spicer^® propshaft to address these vehicles’ unique packaging constraints while ensuring it met the high durability, reliability, and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) requirements of the luxury vehicle segment.

“Dana delivers innovative driveline solutions that meet the individual needs of our customers – helping them launch new vehicles and improve upon global best-sellers,” said Bob Pyle, president of Dana Light Vehicle Driveline Technologies. “We are honored to work with Mercedes-Benz on the new X-Class pickup truck and Sprinter van, which have been recognized in the industry for connectivity, safety, and design.”

To accommodate the three different wheelbase configurations of the Sprinter, Dana engineered both two- and three-piece rear propshaft assemblies. In the three-piece assembly for the longer wheelbase model, Dana designed a new direct pinion mount, which makes assembly and service easier and reduces weight.

Based on its extensive experience in advanced driveline technologies for pickup trucks, Dana was selected by Mercedes-Benz to deliver two-piece propshaft assemblies for the all-new X-Class, a versatile and rugged, all-terrain pickup.

This Mercedes-Benz business demonstrates Dana’s focus on supporting OEMs in producing next-generation vehicles equipped with the latest technologies for driving performance, comfort, safety, and connectivity.

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Fastener Maker for Auto Industry Commissions Large Heat Treating Line

September 10, 2018 / AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT, AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT NEWS, FEATURED NEWS

A leading supplier of fasteners to the automotive industry recently commissioned a cast link belt furnace for the refinement of high-strength steel screws and nuts.

AICHELIN, headquartered in Vienna, Austria, will deliver the heat treating plant by December 2018 to fastener-maker Bulten’s Swedish Hallstahamar site. This is the second industrial furnace plant for this facility. The plant line, produced in Austria, measures over 260 feet (80 m) long and weighs nearly 40,000 pounds (over 50,000 counting liquids and components).

The electrically heated high-temperature hardening furnace and the protective-gas-tight tempering furnace will be delivered with oil or emulsion hardening baths. Measuring and switching systems are included, as well as the process control system FOCOS 4.0 for the new plant (as well as an update of the data acquisition of the existing plant) and a protective gas generator.

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Innovative Technology Eliminates Limitations for Hot Stamping Furnaces

September 5, 2018 / AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT, AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT NEWS

Source: heat-processing.com

A Spanish manufacturer of industrial furnaces recently announced a new concept of an intelligent hot stamping furnace developed with its own innovative technology in patent process. The technology, which has gone through testing and validation, moves blanks through the furnace using a double mechanism system for forward movement and elevation.

“The new heating furnace . . . eliminates the limitations that are usually found with traditional hot stamping equipment, such as low availability and high costs of maintenance. The process of hot stamping is a process increasingly used in the automotive industry because it allows the production of structural parts of hardened steel of ultra high resistance. This results in lighter vehicles and more fuel efficient consumption; it also increases the resistance against shocks and therefore results in higher safety standards.” ~ heat-processing.com

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Steel Hardening/Heat Treating Firm Relocates, Relaunches Manufacturing

August 30, 2018 / AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT, AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT NEWS, HARDENING NEWS

Source: Sudbury.com

A Canadian steel hardening firm recently relocated its operations to a 54,000-sq ft complex as part of a business relaunch that includes hiring new staff and the startup of active manufacturing.

Northern Heat Treat Ltd , based in Sudbury, Ontario, is in the early stages of full operational capacity since the upgrade and moving of equipment, which will include the purchase of larger heat treating furnaces.

Photo caption: George Sidun Jr. and George Sidun Sr. standing in front of Northern Heat Treat Ltd in Sudbury, Ontario/The delivery of a new furnace.

Photo credit: Sudbury.com

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Powertrain Manufacturer Expands in Barcelona

August 17, 2018 / AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT, AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT NEWS

David C. Dauch, AAM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

A global leader in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of automotive driveline and powertrain components will expand operations in the industrial area of Viladecans, Spain, with a 160,000 square ft facility.

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. (AAM), headquartered in Detriot, plans to open the plant south of Barcelona in January 2019, consolidating two smaller facilities in nearby Gavà. AAM Barcelona will produce, among others, damped gears for Ford, BMW, and PSA, PV bonded dampers for Audi, Mercedes, and FCA, isolation pulleys for Renault and in-mould bonded dampers for Mercedes, Ford, and Porsche.

“As AAM continues to diversify and expand our global customer base and product mix, our new Barcelona facility will be an integral part of our European manufacturing footprint,” said David C. Dauch, AAM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “The new facility will help AAM meet customer demand for products that help reduce noise and vibrations from downsized engines.”

“As automakers continue to downsize engines, especially with the increased number of hybrid applications, demand for products like damped gears and isolation pulleys will increase,” said Greg Deveson, President, AAM Powertrain. “This new facility will help AAM continue to meet and exceed our customers’ performance and quality expectations.”

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Korean Auto Parts Maker Breaks Ground on Kentucky Facility with Heat Treating

August 13, 2018 / AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT, AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT NEWS, FEATURED NEWS

Johnny Kim, DIC president (Photo credit: WKMS)

A Korean automotive parts maker recently broke ground on a manufacturing facility in Murray, Kentucky, that will house forging, heat treating, and machining gears and drivetrain parts, as well as administrative and design departments.

DAE-IL Corp. (DIC), headquartered in Ulsan, South Korea, will manufacture automotive transmission gears at the 295,000-square-foot plant being built in the Murray-West Industrial Park in Calloway County. The company expects to produce gears of the powertrain for internal combustion engine vehicles as well as gearboxes and differential assemblies for new cars.

“DIC is the best-specialized gear manufacturer in Korea,” said Johnny Kim, DIC president. “As global demand for our product is growing rapidly, [we]want to have this new facility here in the United States to satisfy our U.S. customers. I heard that Kentucky is at the heart of automotive and aerospace industries and has contributed growth to the national economy. With the highly skilled workers of this community, we will continue this trend for sure.”

“DIC will be at the forefront of the advancement of electric vehicles,” Kim added.

Photo credit: WKMS.org

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Arkansas Flex Mill™ to Double Capacity with $1.2 Billion Investment

August 8, 2018 / AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT, AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT NEWS, FEATURED NEWS

An Arkansas-based steel producer for automotive and electrical markets recently announced the expansion of its LEED-certified facility, doubling its hot-rolled steel production capacity to 3.3 million tons annually.

In addition, the expansion at Big River Steel’s Flex Mill™, which began operations in early 2017, will facilitate the company’s ability to produce even higher grades of electrical steel, demand for which is expected to increase with continued focus on energy efficiency and the increase in hybrid and electric vehicle sales.

“Our $1.2 billion expansion will further cement Big River Steel’s position as a global leader in terms of advanced manufacturing and environmental stewardship,” said Dave Stickler, Big River Steel’s chief executive officer. “Announcing this investment less than 18 months after beginning operations is a testament to the hard work and great success of the men and women on our team.”

Engineering efforts are already underway with SMS group GmbH, the primary technology provider, and major construction activity will begin later this year and continue for approximately 24 months. In addition to doubling its hot-rolled steel production and enhancing its electrical steel capability, Big River is also contemplating the installation of a next-generation coating line focused on automotive applications.

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Major Aluminum Acquisition to Broaden Aero, Auto Products

August 3, 2018 / ALUMINUM PROCESSING NEWS, AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT, AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT NEWS

An Atlanta-based provider of aluminum rolling and recycling recently announced the company has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Aleris Corp., Cleveland, a global supplier of rolled aluminum products supplier based in Cleveland, Ohio.

Steve Fisher, President and CEO, Novelis Inc

Novelis Inc. will acquire Aleris Corp’s 13 manufacturing facilities across North America, Asia, and Europe, including new automotive finishing lines in Lewisport, Kentucky, and significant auto capacity in Duffel, Belgium, providing a more diverse product portfolio, including aerospace, automotive, building and construction, commercial transportation and specialty products.

“Acquiring Aleris is the right opportunity at the right time as they are set for transformational growth,” said Steve Fisher, President and CEO, Novelis Inc. “The significant investments they’ve made in the high-demand, high-value aerospace and automotive segments have resulted in favorable long-term, global contracts. These investments, coupled with a diverse and talented workforce, will add tremendous value to our organization and allow us to deliver the highest quality innovative aluminum solutions to our customers.”

As part of the acquisition, Novelis will acquire Aleris’ 13 manufacturing facilities across North America, Asia and Europe. Aleris’ new automotive finishing lines in Lewisport, Kentucky, of which a significant amount of its capacity is already under contract, along with auto capacity in Duffel, Belgium, will allow Novelis to further diversify its global footprint and customer base.

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