MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT

Heat Treat Radio #108: Heat Treat NextGen Humberto Ramos Fernández

/ HEAT TREAT RADIO, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT TECH

A leading heat treat and HIP processing director, Humberto Ramos Fernández has overcome business and technologic challenges to make HT-MX the successful commercial heat treat company it is today.

In this NextGen profile on Heat Treat Radio — with host and Heat Treat Today publisher, Doug Glenn — we’re learning the heart of an engineer, from early education and metallurgy interests to cycling and how-to-start-a-business.

Below, you can watch the video, listen to the podcast by clicking on the audio play button, or read an edited transcript.

 

The following transcript has been edited for your reading enjoyment.

Meet Humberto (00:00)

Doug Glenn: Well, welcome everyone to another Heat Treat Radio episode. We have the great privilege today of having another one of our 40 under 40 award recipients here to tell us a bit about himself.

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So, Humberto, I would like for you to tell us your name and tell us a little bit about your upbringing. Where were you educated, for example?

Humberto Ramos Fernández: My name is Humberto Ramos Fernández. I'm born and raised here in Chihuahua, Mexico. I've spent my whole childhood living here, and when I went to college, I moved to , Mexico, had my degree there, and then spent a few years working around there. For a little while, I lived in Houston, Texas. I also lived in Australia for a little bit. I spent a few months in Argentina as well, and then got back to working in Monterrey, and eventually moved back to Chihuahua, where I'm currently living. I am very happy to be here, actually.

Doug Glenn: Do you have a family? I know you have parents, obviously. But married, kids, the dog, a cat. What do we have actually?

Humberto Ramos Fernández: I am actually engaged. I am about to get married in September later this year.

Humberto shares about coming from a family of engineers.

Doug Glenn: Congratulations! Very nice, very nice. Yeah, best to you. That's great.

What was it that first made you think about metallurgy or heat treatment, that type of stuff?

Humberto Ramos Fernández: Well, I always knew I would want to be an engineer. My dad's an engineer. My brother is an engineer. Since a very young age, I've always been into cars and racing and stuff like that. So, engineering and mechanical engineering was kind of an obvious choice for me when deciding my degree after high school.

I never really thought of metallurgy as a career; it was kind of more of a business choice or business decision. When I started as a mechanical engineer I was very interested in the mechanical aspect of the parts and design more than the metallurgy.

But eventually, while still working in Monterrey, I had the opportunity to come back home in Chihuahua and visit for a weekend. I got submerged in the environment of business leaders where there were a lot of opportunities for businesses — one of those was heat treating.

That's when my real interest in it started. It's been around 13 years or so since then. I've learned a lot. I mean, there's a lot to learn yet.

But I'm happy in what I'm seeing and what I'm learning.

"The decision to go into metallurgy and heat treat adventure was a decision I made alongside my dad. You know, we decided that this was a good business opportunity for both of us."

- Humberto Ramos Fernández

Doug Glenn: I do want to mention that besides being one of Heat Treat Today’s 40 Under 40 recipients, you've also authored a couple of articles with us as well. Obviously you're learning. It's been going well, and you've been contributing, giving back to the industry, which is really good.

Family (05:20)

What did your family think of your decision to go into heat treatment and metallurgy?

Humberto Ramos Fernández: The decision to go into metallurgy and heat treat adventure was a decision I made alongside my dad. You know, we decided that this was a good business opportunity for both of us. Even though he's never been involved in the day-to-day operations, he's been very supportive, and he's the actual president of the board at HT-MX.

We started this business together, and he's been with me all the way. We've had some very dark periods within the last 10 years. Pretty much everything that could happen did happen — a pandemic and multiple industry crises and everything.

He's been very supportive. One of the main reasons we've had some success, and I've been able to lead this company through some hard periods is because of his support and his knowledge. It's a very valuable thing to have, and I'm very grateful for sharing the experience with him and still having him give so much.

HT-MX (07:04)

Doug Glenn: Tell us a little bit about HT-MX. I don't think we've really mentioned it in particular. Did it exist before you started, or did you start it from scratch?

Humberto Ramos Fernández: After I graduated as a mechanical engineer, I got a job at GE Oil & Gas. I worked at this facility where we were manufacturing and oil and gas equipment. I spent a couple of years there. I learned a lot on the engineering side of it.

I got to work in the corporate offices in Houston, TX, for a while, and this led me to realize that there were a lot of supply chain gaps in the Mexican industry. There were heat treaters, but none like the ones we were looking for from the quality side of the requirements.

Being from the engineering side of things, I would visit some of these suppliers and realize that there were opportunities everywhere for more .

While that was happening, there was this pretty cool idea here in Chihuahua: A group of businessmen got together and organized a visit “from Chihuahua to Chihuahua,” trying to understand all the manufacturing happening here. A lot of people didn't really know. Over here, there are four OEMs. There's aerospace OEMs. There's a Ford engine plant. There's a lot of industry happening here. They defined several supply chain gaps, and one of that was heat treatment.

One weekend I was here visiting my parents, and we got to talk about the potential opportunities. We just decided to go for it. We started the company officially in 2010, 2012. We've been operating since.

We have a business partner as well. And I think we made a pretty cool team. And you know, we've survived a lot of things throughout this.

What Is the Most Enjoyable Part of HT-MX? (10:04)

Doug Glenn: What's been the most enjoyable part? What do you really enjoy about it?

Humberto Ramos Fernández: I really enjoy whenever we have and then trying to translate that into an actual service — looking at the potential growth and the equipment requirements and the pyrometry and all that.

I think that's what we take a lot of care for at HT-MX, and I think that's one of the parts I enjoy the most.

Also, you know, just walking through the shop and seeing the furnaces — the floor being clean and organized. That’s just relaxing at some point.

“After lunch I used to drive around some of the old neighborhoods where there's these machine shops, and a single part gear or a shaft, and then go and do the heat treatment. And now we're doing hot isostatic pressing for airplane engine parts.”

Doug Glenn: It's got to be relatively satisfying for you to know that you started from zero.

Humberto Ramos Fernández: When we started, during the first few months, after lunch I used to drive around some of the old neighborhoods where there's these machine shops, and a single part gear or a shaft, and then go and do the heat treatment. And now we're doing hot isostatic pressing for airplane engine parts. So that's a big jump, you know.

It’s very satisfying. But at the end of the day, we still have a lot of challenges and a lot of things to do. So it's never about focusing on what we've already done, but what can be done and what lies ahead.

A bigger business also brings extra worries, you know.

More About HT-MX (11:58)

Doug Glenn: Little business, little problems; big business, big problems. Not a lot of people in the world have built a business from the ground up, so I'm sure it's worth taking some time, and just acknowledging that accomplishment.

So how furnaces? How many HIP units? How many employees do you have?

Humberto Ramos Fernández: Since the pandemic we went through an evolution. We refocused our company and became much more focused on the aerospace industry.

We were running high volume, automotive parts, and oil and gas parts. Since the pandemic and the increase in energy prices and a lot of the inflation issues that we had here in Mexico — especially with the energy costs — we were forced to focus on what we believe is the real volume behind a heat treatment. Which is, in my opinion, the engineering of aspect of it.

We started focusing on these clients where their requirements were higher and where we would be able to better service them with what we had. So, we refocused. We're currently running around eight furnaces and one HIP unit.

We’re expecting to add a couple of furnaces this year and we're in the process of adding a couple of other additional services.

So, we're growing. We kind of moved away from the high volumes work, and we're focusing more on more aerospace industry and work.

Top Industry Resources (13:55)

Doug Glenn: What are some of the resources that you use to help yourself stay well informed?

Humberto Ramos Fernández: I guess the Internet, obviously.

Heat Treat Today is one of the main sources. There are other sites out there where heat treatment is focused on that I follow. And I talked to colleagues. I'm very involved in the aerospace cluster here in Chihuahua, also in Aerospace Federation in Mexico, and with the Chamber Commerce in Chihuahua — also federally in Mexico as well.

Nowadays with the Internet, and all that kind of stuff, there's a lot of information around. The key aspect is to kind of know how to filter the good info from the bad info.

“We started focusing on these clients where their requirements were higher and where we would be able to better service them with what we had. So, we refocused. We're currently running around eight furnaces and one HIP unit.”

- Humberto Ramos Fernández

Rapid Fire Round (14:56)

Doug Glenn: Let me ask you a couple of rapid fire questions, just to kind of get to know you a little bit more as a person, if you don't mind.

Are you a Mac or Apple user, as far as your computer goes? Or are you a PC guy?

Humberto Ramos Fernández: No, I'm an Apple user.

Doug Glenn: Is that right? You have an Apple computer.

Humberto Ramos Fernández: Yeah, I'm actually on an Apple computer right now.

Doug Glenn: Are you more of a digital person? Do you like hard copy print, or digital, or both, or neither?

Humberto Ramos Fernández: I grew up reading physical magazines, and I still really enjoy car magazines and stuff like that. But other than that, books and podcasts and all, it's on digital.

Doug Glenn: So I don't know if this applies so much to you, because you own the company. Do prefer a flexible work schedule or a high paying job? Being the owner of the company, you have neither, so maybe you would take either.

Humberto Ramos Fernández: I'll take whatever I can get. I think that the flexibility is a very, very valuable part of any kind of work. And I try to offer that to the people that we work with. But also, you need to have high pay to retain the good employees and the good engineers. We are trying to balance both.

Doug Glenn: Tell me about your car passion. Are you still doing anything with your car passion here? You like car magazines and stuff like that?

Humberto Ramos Fernández: I have a couple of old cars I like to work on. I work with my brother on restoring as well. I still keep that passion going. It's something that I really enjoy.

Doug Glenn: So you gotta tell us: What's the 40 year old car?

Humberto Ramos Fernández: It's a 1983 BMW 320I.

Humberto’s big interest is working on old cars, especially a 1983 BMW 320I.

Doug Glenn: If you could travel somewhere else that you haven't already been, where would you go, and why?

Humberto Ramos Fernández: I haven’t been to Japan. And I would love to experience the culture. I feel fascinated by their history and their culture and even their food. So that would be one of my first options.

Doug Glenn: What was it about Japan in the past that caught your attention?

Humberto Ramos Fernández: Those kind of cultures that are so radically different from what we experience here in Latin America are very interesting to look at and to visit.

I've been through China. I've been through other Asian countries. And you know I've been through some other countries in Europe. So considering that I've never been, never been there I would definitely choose Japan.

Doug Glenn: What do you do with your free time? Assuming you have any?

Humberto Ramos Fernández: I like to spend my weekends cycling. I do a lot of road cycling as well. Endurance sports, mostly cycling. So recently, I've done a lot of long, long days out there on the bike. I love the weather here, and here in Chihuahua, we're close to some very nice mountains and the canyons are absolutely beautiful places to go and visit on your bike.

Doug Glenn: What’s your favorite app on your phone or movie or magazine?

Humberto Ramos Fernández: My favorite movie I think it would be the Shawshank Redemption.

Doug Glenn: What future plans do you have for your company and life? Obviously, I know you're getting married. So that's one. But company life, generally speaking, what are you looking forward to?

Humberto Ramos Fernández: I'm looking forward to a period of continuous growth in the company, and where we can stabilize the operation and allow me to explore new and bigger opportunities within the heat treatment industry. I think there's a lot to be done here, and I think as a country and as a state, we're coming into a very good period of time.

Personally, I feel optimistic of what we can achieve here, and that still drives me every day to try and improve our company and continue to learn and to establish ourselves as a reliable and valuable heat treater for our clients.

Doug Glenn: That's great, Humberto. It's been a real pleasure to talk with you. Thanks for spending some time with us.

 

About the Expert

Humberto Ramos Fernández is a mechanical engineer with a master’s degree in Science and Technology Commercialization. He has over 14 years of industrial experience and is the founder and director of HT-MX Heat Treat & HIPing, which specializes in Nadcap-certified controlled atmosphere heat treatments for the aerospace, automotive, and oil and gas industries. With clients ranging from OEMs to Tier 3, has ample experience in developing specific, high complexity secondary processes to the highest requirements.

Learn more at ht-mx.com.

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News from Abroad: Safer Technologies and Carbon Cutting

/ BURNERS & COMBUSTION SYSTEMS, BURNERS COMBUSTION SYSTEM NEWS, FOUNDRY CASTING, FOUNDRY CASTING NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

Today’s News from Abroad installment highlights more carbon-cutting trends from the steel industry, ranging from robots in the cast house to recycling best practices.  

Heat Treat Today partners with two international publications to deliver the latest news, tech tips, and cutting-edge articles that will serve our audience — manufacturers with in-house heat treat. heat processing, a Vulkan-Verlag GmbH publication, serves mostly the European and Asian heat treat markets, and Furnaces International, a Quartz Business Media publication. primarilyserves the English-speaking globe. 

Robots Bring Safety to Casting 

Primetals Technologies’ new customized LiquiRob robotics system in operation at Siam Yamato Steel’s Map Ta Phut plant Source: Primetals Technologies

“Thai steel producer Siam Yamato Steel has implemented a new robot concept from Primetals Technologies, including LiquiRob, at its steelworks in Map Ta Phut . . .. Thanks to the robotics solution, safety and occupational health in the steelworks have significantly improved. Previously, workers who manually operated the shadow tube had to stand directly next to the distributor and the stream of steel flowing out of the ladle. In the case of a so-called ‘frozen pan.’” 

READ MORE: “Primetals Technologies: New robotics concept for safer casting processes” at heat-processing.com

Carbon Cut with Induction Solution at High Heats

CELES EcoTransFlux™ brings green high heating abilities to the induction heating technology. Source: Furnaces International

“Nippon Steel Stainless Steel Corporation and Sojitz Group met with our induction team at Fives headquarters in Paris for a detailed design review of the transverse flux induction heating system. CELES EcoTransFlux™ is an induction heating technology with very high heating rates at extremely high temperatures, and a compact footprint. It also has a minimal environmental footprint, making it beneficial for steelmakers to improve their carbon, stainless or electrical steel production.” 

READ MORE: “Breakthrough technology for steelmakers” at furnaces-international.com

Standards To Maximize Can Recyclability

EAGP members signed an agreement to engage in a standardisation project for beverage cans. Source: Anrita1705/Pixabay

“Four leading flat-rolled aluminium manufacturers and members of the European Aluminium Packaging Group (EAPG), Constellium, Elval, Novelis and Speira, have signed an agreement to engage in a standardisation project to maximise the recycled content levels of the beverage can and thus substantially lower carbon emissions, focused on increased recyclability of the can end.” 

READ MORE: “European Aluminium Producers Agree on Standardisation Project for Cans” at heat-processing.com

Mini-Mill Investment Transforms Future for Swedish Metal Manufacturer

Fossil-free mini-mill Source: Furnaces International

“SSAB’s Board of Directors have taken the decision to proceed with the next step in SSABs transition, building a state-of-the-art fossil-free mini-mill in Luleå, Sweden. When completed SSAB will close the current blast furnace-based production system. This will reduce Sweden’s CO2 emissions with 7% in addition to the 3% from the Oxelösund mill conversion.” 

READ MORE: SSAB continues the transformation with a fossil-free mini-mill in Luleå, Sweden” at furnaces-international.com

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Heat Treat Industry Supplier Expands Plating Product Offerings

/ FEATURED NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT

Hubbard-Hall, a provider of specialty chemicals for industrial manufacturing processes, announced the acquisition of Prosys Finishing Technology.

Jeff Davis, SVP—Business Development & Distribution, Hubbard-Hall (Source: LinkedIn)

With this acquisition, Hubbard-Hall expands its product portfolio and welcomes Randy DiSano, former owner of Prosys, to its team as senior product manager under Jeff Davis, SVP—Business Development & Distribution.

DiSano stated, “While it was a difficult decision to sell Prosys after 25 years . . . I am excited to join the Hubbard-Hall team and continue serving our customers with the same dedication and expertise.”

Molly Kellogg, CEO, Hubbard-Hall (Source: LinkedIn)

Molly Kellogg, CEO of Hubbard-Hall, commented, “Randy is . . . always in the customer’s corner.” She continues enthusiastically commenting about Pavco’s legacy of innovative plating chemistry.

This acquisition adds to Hubbard-Hall’s product offerings and strengthens customer support in the Northeast plating market.
As part of the acquisition, Hubbard-Hall becomes a distributor of Pavco, a leading supplier of plating specialties.

Additionally, Hubbard-Hall will consolidate the distribution of MetalChem EN products in the Northeast, streamlining operations and enhancing customer service. The acquisition also grants Hubbard-Hall the rights to Prosys’s proprietary formulas for cleaning and finishing.

This press release is available in its original form upon request.

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Vacuum Induction Melting Solution from Upper NY

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT, AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT, AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT NEWS, ENERGY HEAT TREAT, ENERGY HEAT TREAT NEWS, FOUNDRY CASTING, FOUNDRY CASTING NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

A custom-built vacuum induction melting (VIM) equipment is set to expand thermal processing for a manufacturer, whose operations already has two VIM solutions. 

The furnace will be fabricated at the Buffalo headquarters of Retech, a SECO/WARWICK Group subsidiary, to capitalize on available schedule improvements. As custom equipment, the subsidiary’s furnaces are not dependent on assembly-line style construction, so they can be fabricated and assembled just in either location.

While this client prefers not to divulge this VIM’s application, Retech’s solution can handle casting a wide range of materials used in applications from automotive and consumer products to critical, high-value equiaxed, directionally solidified, or single-crystal aerospace parts. Almost every furnace Retech makes is modified to meet the specifications and associated applications of its clients.

VIM from the Retech Buffalo, NY location. Source: SECO/WARWICK

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The Melting Point: Lesson on Eutectic Reactions

/ MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT TECH, VACUUM FURNACES, VACUUM FURNACES TECHNICAL CONTENT

What is the most common scenario for a eutectic reaction? And (for that matter) what constitutes a eutectic reaction?

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If your heat treat operations involves vacuum heat treatments, you may already be familiar with this term. With the ability to truly make a bad day worse, this paper uncovers several examples of eutectic reactions, the costs that this “metallurgical experiment” can have on your load and furnace, and what steps you should take to prevent two mating metals from melting together. In this best of the web article, read about the eight examples of how barriers are used in real-world applications.

An excerpt: “To many people, the term ‘eutectic’ is not well understood. The best way to think of a eutectic is a metallurgical meltdown. A eutectic reaction occurs when two components with different melting points and surfaces free of oxides come in contact with each other in the vacuum furnace. This can create an atomic diffusion. For some materials, when a specific atomic composition is reached, they will melt at a temperature much lower than the melting point of the individual metals. If that temperature is reached or exceeded during the heat treating cycle, melting will occur at the contact points. This is referred to as a eutectic melt.”

Read the entire article from Solar Atmospheres, by clicking here: “Preventing Eutectic Reactions and Diffusion Bonding in Vacuum Processing“

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HIP Adds Abilities to R&D Manufacturing Hub

/ HIPING NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, SINTERING POWDER METAL, SINTERING POWDER METAL NEWS

A hot isostatic press will add a new capability to the research infrastructure already in place at the Sydney Manufacturing Hub (SMH), the advanced manufacturing research facility at the University of Sydney, Australia.

Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) has become a critically important technology for the densification of unconventional microstructures associated with additive manufacturing (AM) across a broad spectrum of industries. It has proven of particular value in developing high-performance materials and building advanced metallic structures for mission-critical applications, for example within the aerospace, hypersonics, defense, biomedicine, energy, mining & minerals, and oil & gas sectors.

According to Professor Simon Ringer, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure) at University of Sydney, the SMH (as a research facility) is focused on offering the broadest possible range of advanced manufacturing capabilities, aiming to support the entire AM workflow from design right through to final part conformity in one facility.

“This [Quintus Technologies] hot isostatic press delivers enormous uplift in our university’s contribution to the national advanced manufacturing capability,” states Prof. Ringer. “It aligns critically with our own initiatives such as at the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator and our Net Zero Initiative. Moreover, this is a nationally significant capability that will allow our researchers to partner with industry to blaze new trails in manufacturing-related R&D.”

HIP vessel from Quintus Technologies
The Quintus Hot Isostatic Press going to the Sydney Manufacturing Hub is equipped with URQ® and URC® technology.
Source: Quintus Technologies

The SMH selected the press model QIH 15L M URQ® + URC®, equipped with several proprietary features that streamline the HIP process and produce finished 3D printed parts with maximized theoretical density, ductility, and fatigue resistance. Uniform Rapid Quenching® (URQ) delivers an impressive cooling rate of 103K/minute while minimizing thermal distortion and nonuniform grain growth. HPHT™ (High Pressure Heat Treatment) combines stress-relief annealing, HIP, high-temperature solution-annealing (SA), high pressure gas quenching (HPGQ), and subsequent aging or precipitation hardening (PH) in one integrated furnace cycle.

Quintus’s strong focus on materials science and materials processing research, exemplified by the URQ functionality, was of special interest to the Sydney hub, Prof. Ringer relates. He also cites the intrinsic safety of the vessel and yoke design, along with the rapid cycle time for processing AM parts, as major benefits for the facility, which is geared to enable concept-to-production demonstration capabilities.

“Our new HIP capability will address a significant gap in the AM community in the Australian region and further offer the potential for SMEs (small and medium enterprises) and start-up companies to access this critical process,” Prof. Ringer adds.

SMH’s broad user base extends from its own researchers to those from other local universities and research organizations to private industry and collaborations with international institutions.

Jan Söderström
CEO
Quintus Technologies

“As the industry leader in advanced hot isostatic pressing technology for over 70 years, we have noted exceptional interest in new manufacturing approaches that improve quality, lower cost, and reduce environmental impacts,” says Jan Söderström, CEO of Quintus Technologies. “We are excited to work with the talented researchers at the Sydney Manufacturing Hub to deepen their expertise and refine processes for pressure-supported heat treatment, laying the foundation to advance both productivity and sustainability for operations in Australia and its neighbors.”

The hot zone of the model QIH 15L M URC® measures 7.32 inches (186 mm) in diameter and 19.7 inches (500 mm) high. The press operates at a maximum pressure of 207 MPa (30,000 psi) and a maximum temperature of 2,552°F (1,400°C). It will be installed in the Hub’s purpose-built facility on the University of Sydney’s Darlington campus in January 2025.

This press release is available in its original form here.

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Tool & Die Capabilities Increase with Heat Treat Box Furnace

/ ALUMINUM PROCESSING NEWS, FEATURED NEWS, HARDENING NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, OVENS-HIGH-TEMPERATURE, TEMPERING NEWS

An electric box furnace, currently headed to a Midwest equipment provider, will ultimately be installed at a Snap-on production facility that services tool and die support within the company’s production line.

The model QDD29 economical dual-chamber heat treating and tempering oven from L&L Special Furnace has a compact over/under design that saves floor space and provides reliable heat treating in-house.

QDD29 economical dual-chamber furnace (Source: L&L Special Furnace)

The top chamber is primarily deployed for heat treating tool steels at temperatures up to 2200°F; the tempering chamber is suited to temperatures up to 1250°F and has a recirculation baffle that makes it suitable for small aluminum work as well. The hardening and tempering chambers have interior dimensions of 12” wide by 8” high by 24” deep, with total external dimensions of 55” wide by 70” tall by 56” deep.

The QDD29 is controlled with digital single setpoint controls along with overtemperature protection. Solid-state relays drive the heating elements in a control circuit.

This press release is available in its original form upon request.

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Heat Treater Completes Michigan Move

/ MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS
Source: Solar
Robert (Bob) Hill, FASM
President
Solar Atmospheres of Western PA
Source: Solar Atmospheres

Solar Atmospheres of Michigan has successfully relocated from the old Fraser and Warren facilities to a new location in Chesterfield, Michigan. All ten furnaces (both new and existing) are fully operational at the Chesterfield plant, heralding a new era of efficiency and productivity.

This spring, construction will begin on a 15,000 square foot expansion on an adjacent lot. The expansion will allow for the investment in cutting-edge vacuum furnaces from Solar Manufacturing.

Bob Hill, president of Solar Atmospheres of Michigan, states, “Our future is very bright in Michigan. The consolidation and expansion will allow us to elevate our service standards and meet the evolving demands of our clientele across Michigan and the surrounding states. Solar of Michigan remains steadfast in its dedication to innovation, service excellence, and customer satisfaction as it ventures into this new chapter of growth and expansion.”

This press release is available in its original form here.

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CUI Considerations for the Heat Treating Industry

/ MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT TECH, OP-ED

2024 is a big year for heat treaters who work for the DoD. As Joe Coleman, cybersecurity officer at Bluestreak Consulting, explains, Controlled Unclassified Information is a key topic you need to understand if you want to maintain or grow contracts with the DoD this year.

This Cybersecurity Corner installment was released in part in Heat Treat Today’s March 2024 Aerospace print edition.

If you are a prime contractor for the Department of Defense (DoD) or a subcontractor, then you have CUI in one form or another whether it is in paper or digital format. Learn what is, and is not, considered Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

What Exactly Is Considered CUI?

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The DoD handles CUI in many forms across its operations. CUI includes sensitive information that requires safeguarding but does not meet the criteria for classification as classified information. Examples of DoD CUI include:

Click image to download a list of cybersecurity acronyms and definitions.
  • Export Controlled Information (ECI): Information that is subject to export control laws and regulations, such as technical data related to defense goods and services.
  • For Official Use Only (FOUO): Information that is not classified but still requires protection from unauthorized disclosure for official government use.
  • Critical Infrastructure Information (CII): Details about critical infrastructure elements like facilities, systems, networks, and assets that are essential for national security, economy, or public health.
  • Privacy information: Personal information of individuals (e.g., Social Security numbers, medical records) that needs to be protected under privacy laws and regulations.
  • Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) Information: Information that, although unclassified, is sensitive and requires protection due to its potential impact if disclosed.
  • Contract-related information: Non-public details within contracts, such as proprietary information, financial data, or technical specifications.
  • Proprietary information: Data owned by an entity and protected by intellectual property rights or confidentiality agreements.

In the heat treating industry, DoD CUI might include various sensitive details related to heat treatment processes, materials, or specifications used in defense-related applications. Here are some potential examples of DoD CUI within the heat treating industry:

  • Material specifications: Specifications for heat treated materials used in defense equipment, weapons systems, or components. This could include details about specific alloys, heat treatment methods, tempering, or hardening processes required for certain applications.
  • Process documentation: Detailed procedures and technical information regarding heat treatment processes employed in the production of defense-related materials or components. This might involve specific temperature ranges, cooling rates, or other proprietary methods used in heat treating.
  • Quality control data: Information related to quality control measures specific to heat treating in defense-related manufacturing. This could involve data on testing methodologies, inspection techniques, or standards compliance for heat treated materials used in critical defense systems.
  • Research and development (R&D) information: Research findings, experimental data, or proprietary knowledge related to advancements in heat treatment technologies tailored for defense applications. This may include innovative heat treatment methods for enhancing material properties, durability, or performance in defense systems.
  • Supplier information: Details about suppliers providing heat treatment services or materials to the defense industry, including contractual agreements, proprietary processes, or specifications specific to DoD projects.
  • Cybersecurity measures: Information about cybersecurity measures employed within heat treatment facilities that handle DoD contracts or projects to safeguard sensitive data from cyber threats.
  • Facility security protocols: Details regarding security protocols, access controls, and clearance requirements within heat treating facilities handling defense-related projects to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Other items that may be identified as CUI provided by the DoD or generated in support of fulfilling a DoD contract or order include, but are not limited to (in both paper and digital formats):

  • Research and engineering data
  • Engineering drawings and lists
  • Technical reports
  • Technical data packages
  • Design analysis
  • Specifications
  • Test reports
  • Technical orders
  • Cybersecurity plans/controls
  • IP addresses, nodes, links
  • Standards
  • Process sheets
  • Manuals
  • Data sets
  • Studies and analyses and related information
  • Computer software executable code and source code
  • Contract deliverable requirements lists (CDRL)
  • Financial records
  • Contract information
  • Conformance reports

What Is Not Normally Considered CUI?

Here are several examples of items that may not typically fall under DoD CUI for the heat treating industry:

  • General industry standards: Information related to commonly accepted industry standards, processes, or procedures that are widely available and not specific to defense-related applications.
  • Non-proprietary heat treatment techniques: Basic information about standard heat treatment methods or techniques that are publicly known and not proprietary to a particular organization or application within the defense sector.
  • Publicly available research: Scientific or technical research findings, publications, or data that are publicly accessible, not subject to proprietary rights, and not specifically tied to defense-related advancements.
  • Commonly shared best practices: Information regarding widely accepted best practices in heat treating that do not involve proprietary or classified techniques applicable solely to defense-related materials or components.
  • Non-sensitive business operations: Routine business operations, administrative documents, or general non-sensitive communications within the heat treating industry that do not pertain to defense contracts or projects.
  • Information approved for public release: Data that has been officially approved for public release by the DoD or other relevant authorities, ensuring it does not contain sensitive or classified details.
  • Basic material specifications: Information about materials, alloys, or heat treatment processes widely used in commercial applications and not specifically tailored or modified for defense-related purposes.

I hope this information has been helpful to you. Please contact me with any questions and for a free consultation, with a complimentary detailed compliance ebook.

For more information: Contact Joe Coleman at joe.coleman@go-throughput.com.

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US DOE Strategy Affects Heat Treaters

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As heat treaters strive for a sustainable future, pressure mounts to make the right choices while running commercially viable operations. This guest column by Michael Mouilleseaux, general manager at Erie Steel, Ltd., explores how and why heat treat operations are now coming under the focus of the U.S. Department of Energy.

This informative piece was first released in Heat Treat Today’s March 2024 Aerospace print edition.

The iron and steel industry contributes approximately 2.1% of energy-related CO2 emissions from primary sectors in the U.S. These statistics may seem insignificant or far removed, but the federal government has now determined that heat treating is a significant contributor and has set in motion critical changes for U.S. heat treaters.

Background

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On December 8, 2021, President Joe Biden issued an executive order that committed the federal government to “lead by example” in U.S. efforts towards carbon-free and net zero emissions solutions. Since then, the executive has delegated the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to spearhead these initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) and promoting energy efficiency across various sectors of the U.S. economy. To support these efforts, $10,000,000,000 in incentives are being allocated for the DOE and EPA to investigate and promulgate regulations.

Specifically, the government sees the “industrial sector” as responsible for close to a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE); the five industries named within this sector are chemical processing, petroleum processing, iron & steel production, cement production, and food & beverage manufacturing. The DOE is leading the efforts of “supercharging industrial decarbonization innovation” and leveraging the potential of “clean hydrogen.”

Following these directives, the DOE unveiled the “Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap” in September 2022. This strategic plan will guide decarbonization efforts of the five key industrial sectors to mitigate GHGE. The four pillars are:

  • Energy efficiency
  • Industrial electrification (using green electricity)
  • Adoption of low-carbon fuels, feedstocks, and energy sources (LCFFES)
  • Carbon capture, utilization, and storage at the generated source (CCUS)

The DOE determined that process heating — accounting for 63% of energy usage within the iron and steel industry — would be the best opportunity to apply these four pillars. However, until May 2023, heat treating had not been explicitly mentioned as a target for decarbonization efforts.

Why Should Heat Treaters Care?

In May 2023, the Industrial Efficiency & Decarbonization Office — an office within the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy — held a symposium to refine its commitment to the decarbonization of the industrial sector. It was then that heat treating was specifically defined as a process targeted for the reduction of GHGE in the steel, aluminum, and glass manufacturing industries.

The DOE’s refined commitment focuses on two things: reduce GHGE attributable to “process heating” by 85% by 2035 and achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. To reach these ambitious goals, the DOE emphasized the importance of adopting LCFFES, green electrification, and implementing strategies that promote industrial flexibility, advanced heat management, smart manufacturing, and alternative technologies.

The potential ramifications of the DOE’s efforts on the heat treating industry are momentous. With the development of regulations to support these efforts, businesses within this sector must prepare for significant changes. The focus on green hydrogen, biofuels, and electrification, coupled with advanced technological solutions like ultra-efficient heat exchangers, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and alternative no-heat technologies, are strategies being considered for potential regulation.

Conclusion

The heat treating industry stands at a crossroads, with the DOE’s decarbonization initiatives signaling a shift to adopt cleaner energy practices. As these regulations take shape, businesses will need to adapt, investing in new technologies and processes that align with the nation’s clean energy goals. In the next column, we’ll address potential ramifications of the DOE effort for industrial decarbonization in the heat treating industry to help you be better informed and prepared.

About the Author:

Michael Mouilleseaux
General Manager at Erie Steel, Ltd.

Michael Mouilleseaux is general manager at Erie Steel, Ltd. He has been at Erie Steel in Toledo, OH since 2006 with previous metallurgical experience at New Process Gear in Syracuse, NY, and as the director of Technology in Marketing at FPM Heat Treating LLC in Elk Grove, IL. Michael attended the stakeholder meetings at the May 2023 symposium hosted by the U.S. DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. He will be speaking on the MTI podcast about this subject on March 5, 2024, 2:30 EST, and will present on this topic at the April 3, 2024, MTI Mid-West chapter meeting.

For more information: Contact Michael at mmouilleseaux@erie.com.

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