Urschel Laboratories, a global manufacturer of precision food-cutting equipment based in Chesterton, Indiana, has placed an order for a new high-capacity vacuum furnace to support its in-house heat treating operations and safeguard production of critical stainless steel components used in its machines. The new equipment is expected to strengthen Urschel’s manufacturing capabilities, reinforcing the performance and reliability of its cutting systems used throughout the food processing industry.
Urschel is replacing an Ipsen MetalMaster furnace originally commissioned in 1986. | Image Credit: Ipsen USAUrschel operates another Ipsen MetalMaster furnace purchased in 2014. | Image Credit: Ipsen USA
The order includes a MetalMaster® HR 54×48 2-bar vacuum furnace, which features 2-bar quench capability and maximum load dimensions of 36x36x48 inches. The system will replace a legacy vacuum furnace that has been in continuous operation since 1986. It is designed to accommodate Urschel’s processing requirements for 400-series stainless steel knife systems.
Supplying the system is Ipsen USA, a long-time partner in thermal processing equipment. This latest order marks Urschel’s sixth vacuum furnace from the supplier, building on a relationship that spans four decades and reflects consistent performance and support. The company currently operates two TITAN® LT6 2-bar furnaces and another MetalMaster HR 54×48 2-bar furnace purchased in 2014, all supporting essential processes such as annealing, tempering, hardening, and brazing of precision components within Urschel’s in-house heat treating facility.
The investment reflects Urschel’s continued focus on operational efficiency and product quality as it serves clients in more than 130 countries worldwide.
Press release is available in its original form here.
PROENERGY, a manufacturer of power-generation equipment and services, has ordered four vacuum furnaces to support operations at its new Houston Center for Excellence in Lifecycle Care. The 455,000-square-foot facility will serve fast-start gas turbine overhauls, maintenance, and onsite repair services, expanding capacity for the power industry.
TITAN vacuum furnaces | Source: Ipsen USAPE6000 LPC Case | Source: PROENERGYPE6000 | Source: PROENERGYJohn Spilker Senior Vice President of Operations PROENERGY
PROENERGY has selected three TITAN series vacuum furnaces and one TurboTreater system supplied by Ipsen USA to equip the Houston operation. “As we expand production of the PE6000 aeroderivative engine, we also needed additional vacuum furnace capacity,” said John Spilker, senior vice president of Operations at PROENERGY.
Ipsen USA will deliver and install one TITAN H2 2-bar vacuum furnace with an 18 x 18 x 24-inch work zone and a 1,000-pound capacity, two TITAN H6 2-bar vacuum furnaces, each with a 36 x 36 x 48-inch work zone and a 3,000-pound capacity, and one TurboTreater model H6672 featuring a 48 x 48 x 72-inch work zone and a 3,500-pound capacity. “Ipsen furnaces have served us well for years in both manufacturing and repairing turbine parts. Based on the accuracy and reliability of these furnaces, we worked closely with the Ipsen team to meet operational requirements, optimize cost, and minimize lead time,” said Spilker.
Press release is available in its original form here.
Spectrum Thermal Processing, a heat treatment provider based in Cranston, Rhode Island, has joined a broader thermal processing network through a strategic acquisition that will bolster regional capacity and enhance service for precision aerospace and defense component manufacturing. The transaction strengthens Spectrum’s ability to deliver Nadcap-accredited and ITAR-compliant vacuum heat treatment, low-pressure carburizing, and gas nitriding services to clients in one of the nation’s most dense aerospace and defense corridors. It positions the company to provide improved proximity, shorter lead times, and greater supply chain resilience for critical component suppliers.
Jim Fairbairn CEO of Bodycote plc Source: Bodycote
Under the terms of agreement, Spectrum Thermal Processing becomes part of the Aerospace, Defence & Energy division of Bodycote plc, a global provider of specialist thermal processing services, in a deal that closed on January 14, 2026. The facility in Cranston brings an experienced team, strong technical reputation, and strategic position within one of the nation’s most dense aerospace and defense corridors, making it a natural fit for Bodycote’s growing U.S. network.
Jim Fairbairn, chief executive officer of Bodycote plc, said the acquisition reflects a commitment to investing in high-growth, high-value sectors and expanding capability where clients need it most, adding that Spectrum’s technical expertise and strong local relationships enhance service offerings for advanced heat treating needs.
Existing clients will continue to work with the same team and maintain current service levels, while gaining access over time to Bodycote’s broader global network and specialist technologies.
Press release is available in its original form here.
Marle Group, a global manufacturer of orthopedic prosthetics, has purchased and will install an additional vacuum furnace at its Marle Nowak facility, expanding in-house processing capacity for cobalt-alloy orthopedic implants and surgical instruments. The new system responds to the company’s need for rapid cooling of large loads — capable of handling full 800 kg workloads — and supports efforts to improve production control and delivery times for medical device manufacturing, including serving demand in the North American market.
The facility in Pancé, France, specializes in the production of orthopedic implants, surgical instruments, spinal devices, and OEM manufacturing for the medical sector. This third vacuum furnace from SECO/WARWICK operating at Marle Group facilities will enable Marle Nowak to perform hardening processes internally rather than relying on external services.
Maciej Korecki Vice President of Vacuum Furnace Segment SECO/WARWICK
“Hardening cobalt alloys requires processes that achieve extremely high temperatures, and the heating processes for these materials demand high purity, temperature uniformity, and very fast, efficient cooling,” said Maciej Korecki, vice president of the Vacuum Furnace Segment at SECO/WARWICK Group. “Our equipment will allow our partner to become independent from external hardening services, providing greater control over the entire production process.”
The vacuum furnace features a 600 × 600 × 900 mm working area with a round heating chamber, convection heating, directional cooling, and isothermal hardening for controlled cooling of complex components. It includes partial-pressure argon to protect alloy surfaces, dew point sensors to reduce oxidation risk, and a rapid-cooling blower capable of quenching at up to 15 bar abs.
SECO/WARWICK secured the contract following successful reference trials conducted in its research and development department, where the furnace demonstrated cooling performance that met Marle Nowak’s process requirements. The addition of this vacuum furnace is expected to support certification of heat treatment processes in line with ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 standards, which are important for medical device production.
Press release is available in its original form here.
A major U.S. bearing manufacturer has ordered two advanced vacuum heat treat furnaces, reinforcing its commitment to precision manufacturing and capacity growth. The investment supports rising demand across the bearing industry, where consistent metallurgical performance is critical for industrial and aerospace applications.
The manufacturer purchased two identical Vector single-chamber vacuum furnaces equipped for low-pressure carburizing (LPC). One system will be installed at an established aerospace-grade production facility, while the second will support a newly acquired plant transitioning from legacy heat treat equipment to LPC technology for production and potential R&D use.
Piotr Zawistowski Managing Director SECO/WARWICK USA
Each furnace features a 36″ × 36″ × 48″ hot zone, horizontal loading configuration and 15-bar high-pressure gas quench (HPGQ), providing process flexibility and repeatable results for demanding applications. Standard options include a sound enclosure, automatic door, maintenance platform and customer-specified instrumentation to meet internal quality requirements.
SECO/WARWICK USA is supplying both systems. “These contracts demonstrate how manufacturers continue to invest in advanced LPC technology to enhance throughput, improve metallurgical performance, and ensure long-term processing reliability,” said Piotr Zawistowski, managing director of SECO/WARWICK USA.
Press release is available in its original form here.
As aerospace, defense, and medical applications demand tighter chemistry and flawless surfaces, heat treaters are accelerating their move toward all-metal hot zones and ultra-high-vacuum systems. The push for cleaner processing is quickly reshaping expectations not only for commercial heat treaters, but also for in-house heat treat operations supporting mission-critical production.
Today’s original content brings together recent Heat TreatToday reporting on all-metal hot zones, next-generation vacuum systems, and supply-chain investments redefining clean processing for aerospace, defense, and medical work.
All-Metal Hot Zones Drive Cleaner, More Predictable Processing
Heat treaters serving medical, aerospace, and turbine production continue to adopt all-metal hot zones to reduce contamination risk, stabilize vacuum performance, and deliver more consistent surface conditions.
Solar Atmospheres has expanded its all-metal vacuum furnace capacity across multiple locations in 2025, most recently at its Western Pennsylvania facility dedicated to critical medical work. The system features an all-molybdenum hot zone, finely polished stainless-steel cold wall, and dual isolation valves to maintain vacuum integrity, accompanied by a major clean-room expansion to support downstream handling.
Earlier this year, the company added a similar all-metal furnace at its Hermitage campus. Designed for precipitation-hardened stainless steels, nickel-and cobalt-based superalloys, titanium, and niobium, the system reflects the rising expectations placed on heat treat environments supporting high-performance material systems.
Michael Johnson, sales director at Solar Atmospheres of Western Pennsylvania, underscored the significance of the shift, noting that the all-metal design delivers “the purest possible processing environment” and produces “pristine end products that meet the most demanding industry standards.”
With vacuum levels reaching below 5 × 10⁻⁶ Torr through a diffusion pump, oversized main valve, and polished stainless chamber, these furnaces support bright, contamination-free results — conditions increasingly relevant to in-house heat treaters tasked with eliminating process variation.
High-Performance Vacuum Systems Support Tighter Internal Specifications
Across the industry, new vacuum systems are being introduced that emphasize uniform quenching, reduced gas consumption, and shorter cycle times — benefits that resonate strongly with in-house heat treat teams striving for throughput without sacrificing metallurgical integrity.
A recent example is the addition of a 6-bar Ipsen TurboTreater horizontal vacuum furnace at Stack Metallurgical Group‘s Portland, Oregon facility. It’s designed for 360-degree uniform quenching and engineered to reduce cycle times by up to 20 percent. Its versatility — supporting hardening, tempering, brazing, sintering, annealing, and more — illustrates the broader trend toward equipment that supports multiple metallurgical pathways while maintaining low-contamination processing.
While not an all-metal hot zone, SMG’s investment signals the same market direction: vacuum systems are increasingly becoming the backbone for operators who prioritize clean surfaces, repeatable thermal cycles, and consistent downstream machining performance.
High Purity Feedstock Becomes a Process-Control Advantage
Arconic Corporation has recently invested $57.5 million in an effort to boost high purity aluminum (HPA) capacity for aerospace and defense applications at its Davenport Works plant, a major in-house heat treating operation. The expansion strengthens both its full thermal processing line and the broader aerospace and defense supply chain.
By the same token, this manufacturer is upstream in product development. For aerospace manufacturers of aluminum products with in-house heat treaters, access to cleaner feedstock translates into more predictable microstructures, fewer surprises at the furnace, and reduced process deviations, which is a meaningful advantage as specifications tighten.
Diana Perreiah, Arconic’s EVP of Rolled Products North America, positioned the investment as a deliberate step toward enhancing U.S. industrial capability, emphasizing that the expansion supports the advanced manufacturing base required for next-generation platforms. Her comments highlight a growing recognition that material purity upstream directly influences thermal processing reliability downstream.
The project includes two new furnaces, automation upgrades, and modernized controls, ensuring consistent supply of the high purity aluminum essential for complex structures ranging from aircraft wing skins to high-strength defense components.
Across furnaces, feedstock, and facility upgrades, the direction is unmistakable: the industry is moving rapidly toward ultra-clean, tightly controlled thermal environments.
For in-house heat treat departments, the message is clear. These technologies are not simply expanding commercial heat treat capacity — they are redefining expectations for internal operations where scrap reduction, audit readiness, and end-to-end process reliability are central.
All-metal hot zones, advanced vacuum systems, and high purity input materials are quickly becoming a baseline for meeting stringent performance requirements for many in today’s aerospace, defense, and medical applications.
Bhuj Polymers, an established precision components manufacturer, is expanding its manufacturing capabilities through the acquisition of a state-of-the-art vacuum furnace. This investment will enable the company to meet growing demands while providing advanced vacuum hardening services that comply with global quality standards.
Maciej Korecki Vice President of Vacuum Business Segment SECO/WARWICK
SECO/WARWICK, a heat treat solutions provider with locations in North America, supplied the vacuum furnace that will be used to process tool steels with high thermal requirements, such as H13, H11 and D2. Prior to this acquisition, production capabilities were constrained by existing equipment limitations. The company’s locally manufactured furnace operated with a cooling pressure of up to 4 bar. This specification prevented effective processing of components requiring high-pressure gas hardening. Increasing production loads and customer requirements prompted Bhuj Polymers to invest in next-generation vacuum technology.
“The furnace delivered combines 15-bar high-pressure gas cooling with perfect temperature uniformity and precise control of thermal processes. This solution meets NADCA (tool & die global standard) requirements and is ready for Nadcap (aerospace global standard) certification, enabling Bhuj Polymers to expand their manufacturing services to the most demanding customers from industries such as automotive and aerospace,” says Maciej Korecki, vice president of the Vacuum Segment of the SECO/WARWICK Group.
This installation represents a significant advancement in local manufacturing capabilities. As part of SECO/WARWICK’s strategy to strengthen local production competencies, the furnace was manufactured entirely in India, reducing logistical costs, increasing competitiveness, and eliminating challenges associated with global customs policy.
Arvind Agarwal Managing Director of SECO/WARWICK India
“Bhuj Polymers is a partner who trusted that our vacuum project, carried out entirely in India, was the correct solution for their manufacturing needs. This trust is of great value to us, as it opened a new chapter in the history of SECO/WARWICK India. This installation is an important step towards building a strong and independent technological infrastructure in India. We are pleased to be part of the growth of companies like Bhuj Polymers, who choose world-class technology produced locally,” said Arvind Agarwal, managing director of SECO/WARWICK India.
This event may serve as a significant impetus for other companies, not only in the state of Gujarat. This expansion demonstrates the importance of local production and support for manufacturers of aluminum die-casting molds, plastic processing tools, or precision components.
Press release is available in its original form here.
Southwest Metal Treating Corp (SWMT), an AS9100D/ISP 9001:2015 and Nadcap-accredited facility specializing in providing precision heat treating services, announces the addition of a new cryogenic processing system. This enhancement will further support SWMT’s ability to serve its aerospace, defense, and precision manufacturing partners with high-quality heat treating and cryogenic processing solutions.
“The TRU-CRYOTHERM expands our thermal processing capabilities and strengthens our ability to meet demanding specifications with precision and reliability,” said Ryan Fussell, CEO of Southwest Metal Treating Corp. “As we continue to invest in state-of-the-art equipment, our goal remains the same — to provide our customers with unmatched quality, turnaround, and technical excellence.”
Ryan Fussell CEO of Southwest Metal Treating Corp (SWMT) Source: MTI
The new unit, provided by the McLaughlin Furnace Group, is now currently installed as part of SWMT’s ongoing expansion of its Integral Quench (IQ) department. Its design, advanced temperature control, and uniformity standards make it an ideal complement to SWMT’s growing IQ and vacuum processing operations. With this addition, SWMT continues to set a higher standard for metallurgical performance and process consistency across its full range of services.
Press release is available in its original form here.
Solar Atmospheres has commissioned and installed a new 10-bar vacuum furnace at its Greenville, SC facility. The horizontal furnace can process loads up to 12,000 pounds and expands the company’s capacity for high-pressure quenching of large components and workloads.
Solar Atmospheres new 10-bar vacuum furnace Source: Solar AtmospheresSteve Prout President Solar Atmospheres Southeast
Manufactured by its sister company Solar Manufacturing, the furnace features a working zone measuring 48” wide x 48” high x 96” deep. Its pumping package achieves an ultimate vacuum level of 1×10⁻⁶ Torr, ensuring performance for processing titanium and other high-grade alloys requiring pristine vacuum environments
Steve Prout, president of Solar Atmospheres Southeast, commented: “We’re proud to offer our customers another regional option for high-pressure quenching of large components and workloads, while also providing the opportunity to reduce processing costs through economies of scale.”
Press release is available in its original form here.
A metal heat treater is expanding their operations with a new vacuum furnace. The high-pressure quench vacuum furnace will be used for a wide range of processes such as vacuum hardening, tempering, solution treatment, aging, annealing, brazing and high-pressure gas quenching, servicing the automotive, aerospace, toolmaking and machinery sectors.
Shital Vacuum Treat will receive the furnace fromSECO/WARWICK, and it will comply with the NADCA (North American Die Casting Association) global standard for the heat treatment of tools and dies and enable faster preparation for NADCAP certification.
The single-chamber Vector vacuum furnace will be equipped with an advanced 15 bar (abs) gas cooling system, enabling rapid and uniform cooling of loads with complex geometries. It features a round heating chamber with high temperature uniformity ±5°C (9°F), convection heating up to 850°C (1562°F), and a vacuum system based on Leybold mechanical and Roots pumps.
“SECO/WARWICK is not just a supplier – they are part of our family. The new furnace will allow us to increase our production capacity and serve customers better. Quality and repeatability are paramount for us…Thanks to high-pressure cooling and the ability to work with different process gases, the furnace fits perfectly with the requirements of a commercial hardening plant that serves clients from various industrial sectors. Its NADCA compliance and readiness for Nadcap certification allows us to provide services to clients from the most demanding industries, such as aerospace and automotive,” commented Vilas Kolekar, marketing director for Shital Vacuum Treat Pvt. Ltd.
Shital Vacuum Treat Pvt Ltd in the Indian market not only provides comprehensive heat treatment services but also acts as a technology advisor.
Press release is available in its original form here.
