VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

Vacuum Furnace Boosts Tool Steel Processing

/ MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, QUENCHING NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

Treatnorte, a commercial heat treatment company, will add a new vacuum furnace to support vacuum heat treatment of tool steel, improving process control and consistency for components used in manufacturing applications.

Image Credit: SECO/WARWICK

The furnace joining Treatnorte’s machine park is a medium size system from SECO/WARWICK, a global manufacturer of heat treatment equipment with operations in North America. It is configured to provide a broad process range and production flexibility.

The round heating chamber allows processing of relatively large parts, while the combination of high-pressure gas quenching (HPGQ) up to 15 bar abs, combined with dedicated low-pressure carburizing (LPC) technology, enables complete process cycles for a range of steels used by Treatnorte’s clients. The furnace provides temperature uniformity, convection heating at lower temperatures, and directional cooling, supporting control of quenching processes for complex geometries.

The furnace configuration also incorporates FineCarb technology, SECO/WARWICK’s low-pressure carburizing solution carried out in a vacuum atmosphere, where carbon introduction is precisely controlled through successive pulses of carbon-bearing gases. This process allows for uniform and repeatable carburized layers with minimal part distortion and reduced cycle time.

The equipment will serve both the Portuguese and Spanish markets, where it will support ongoing tool steel heat-treatment operations. “The ability to independently perform vacuum hardening and carburizing processes significantly increases operations independence, shortens the supply chain, and allows for better quality control. FineCarb technology, combined with 15-bar gas quenching opens up opportunities for Treatnorte to win more demanding projects for [clients] in Portugal and Spain,” said Nuno Carvalho from Treatnorte.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Allied Graphite Develops Vertical Furnace Systems

/ ENERGY HEAT TREAT NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

Allied Graphite, a U.S.-based graphite materials manufacturer, is advancing the high-temperature thermal processing of its battery-grade material with a new technology partnership. This partnership to develop, validate, and provide engineering data for vertical furnace solutions will support the company’s progress toward commercial-scale production.

The effort aims to design, test, and refine vertical furnace configurations in partnership with Harper International, a U.S.-based global provider of high-temperature thermal processing systems for advanced materials, and ONEJOON GmbH, a global supplier of high-temperature thermal processing equipment. The systems are intended to support processing steps required for battery-grade graphite production.

As part of the collaboration, Harper International is contributing engineering and validation programs conducted at Harper’s Technology Center in Buffalo, New York. Meanwhile, the partnership with ONEJOON GmbH will include joint engineering work and advanced development activities intended to support the design and validation of commercial-scale furnace configurations.

Andy Goshe
Chief Executive Officer
Allied Graphite

“Thermal processing performance is fundamental to delivering consistent product quality at scale. These partnerships reflect our commitment to rigorous engineering validation and disciplined equipment selection as we advance toward commercial-scale operations,” said Andy Goshe, chief executive officer of Allied Graphite.

The collaboration includes engineering development and validation programs to evaluate furnace designs under production conditions. The work is expected to generate process data to inform final equipment selection and support the transition from pilot-scale validation to commercial manufacturing.

High-temperature thermal processing is a key component of graphite production. Vertical furnace systems are being assessed for performance and scalability in production environments, key considerations as demand grows in the battery sector.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Custom VIM System Enhances Turbine Blade Production

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

An aircraft engine manufacturer has purchased a custom-built vacuum induction melting (VIM) furnace to support the production of equiaxed (EQ) turbine blade castings for aircraft engines. The furnace enables melting in a controlled vacuum environment, with unique and intuitive control systems that help improve metallurgical consistency.

A tailor-made vacuum induction melting (VIM) furnace | Image Credit: SECO/WARWICK
Earl Good
Managing Director, Retech
Vice President of Vacuum Metallurgy Segment, SECO/WARWICK Group

The system is a two-chamber 50 kg VIM induction furnace supplied by SECO/WARWICK, a global manufacturer of thermal processing equipment with operations in North America. It was engineered as a tailored solution with configuration and technical parameters adapted to the client’s production needs. “The furnace has a non-standard design in which the mold elevator was replaced with a special trolley that moves horizontally on rails. Thanks to this solution, the furnace fits perfectly into the available space without any impact on its performance,” said Earl Good, managing director of RETECH, a company within the SECO/WARWICK Group, and vice president of the Vacuum Metallurgy Segment at SECO/WARWICK Group.

The system includes a control platform for casting processes, temperature control, and comprehensive data acquisition, delivering the repeatability and throughput essential to the aerospace industry. Its two-chamber design and pumping system allow for continuous operation, and the furnace can be equipped with a mold heater to maintain thermal conditions for the casting mold.

The use of VIM furnaces continues across aerospace applications, where vacuum metallurgy supports the aerospace industry’s constantly changing production needs.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Boeing Adds Vacuum Heat Treat Capacity

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

Boeing is adding vacuum furnace capacity at its Tube, Duct and Reservoir Center in Algona, Washington, to expand in-house heat treating capability for aerospace tube and duct assemblies. The investment is intended to address production needs across commercial and defense aerospace programs.

Dave Farmery, president and COO of Vac Aero, speaks at the CP8A Poseidon ITB commitment event on April 2, 2026. | Image Credit: Bolour Studio, courtesy of Boeing
Al Meinzinger
President
Boeing Canada

The investment is part of Boeing’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) commitments tied to Canada’s CP8A Poseidon aircraft program, which includes a multi-million dollar investment in Vac Aero International to strengthen aerospace manufacturing capabilities in Canada.

“We are pleased to support Vac Aero with the purchase of this new equipment for our Fabrication facility, which serves our commercial programs and select space and defense work,” said Al Meinzinger, president of Boeing Canada. “This ITB investment underscores Boeing’s commitment to Canada following the CP8A Poseidon selection and to modern manufacturing and Canadian small businesses in our global supply chain.”

The expansion includes the installation of two vacuum furnaces for vacuum heat treating and annealing of complex tube and duct assemblies at Boeing’s Algona facility. The furnaces, sized at 60″ x 90″ and 60″ x 60″, will be dedicated assets supporting Boeing’s aerospace manufacturing operations for multiple airplane programs.

The furnaces will be co-located within a single heat treat area, a configuration expected to free up approximately 300 square feet of production space. The equipment is scheduled to be ready for use in April 2027.

Press release is available in its original form here. Additional details provided by Boeing.

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Vacuum Furnace Consolidates Multiple Heat Treat Processes

/ MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, QUENCHING NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

A manufacturer has placed an order for a vacuum furnace system designed to replace multiple heat treating processes, consolidating operations into a single device to streamline thermal processing. The furnace will be used to heat treat components for high-precision small arms intended for civilian markets, including sport shooting and hunting, as well as versions adapted for uniformed services.

Image Credit: SECO/WARWICK

Initial production plans called for four separate units — an oil quenching furnace, tempering furnace, cryogenic unit, and washing system. Following a joint technological analysis, SECO/WARWICK, a global manufacturer of industrial furnaces with operations in North America, demonstrated that these processes could be performed within a single vacuum furnace with gas quenching. Trials confirmed the approach met the client’s requirements while simplifying the overall process.

The system is a horizontal Vector vacuum furnace designed to support multiple heat treating operations in one unit. It features a round heating chamber with temperature uniformity of approximately 5°C (9°F), a convection heating system for improved low-temperature efficiency, and a vacuum pumping system combining mechanical and Roots pump for stable operation.

Additional capabilities include partial pressure control system to limit alloy element evaporation and a 15-bar gas quenching system with inverter controlled to stabilize cooling and reduce power demand peaks. The furnace also supports vacuum carburizing (FineCarb), pre-nitriding (PreNitLPC), low-pressure carbonitriding (LPCN), and deep cryogenic treatment down to −80°C (−112°F) within an automated cycle.

By consolidating these processes, the system is expected to improve repeatability and production efficiency, while eliminating the need for post-quench oil cleaning.

Maciej Korecki
Vice President of Vacuum Business Segment
SECO/WARWICK

“Initially, several separate devices were considered, each handling subsequent stages of the process. After analysis and technological testing, it turned out that all these operations can be carried out in a single vacuum furnace with gas quenching. This means not only substantial investment savings but also simplified production, shorter process times, and reduced labor requirements. For the [client], it is also the first step toward modern vacuum processes and moving away from the atmospheric technologies previously used,” said Maciej Korecki, vice president of the Vacuum Segment at SECO/WARWICK.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Large-Capacity Nitriding Furnace Enhances Processing Capabilities

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, NITRIDING NEWS, NITROCARBURIZING NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

Vacu-Braze, a commercial heat treater specializing in vacuum heat treating and brazing, has added a large-capacity nitriding furnace to support processing of oversized components requiring enhanced surface hardness, wear resistance, and fatigue performance.

The furnace features a working chamber of 48″ in diameter and 108″ in depth, more than doubling the company’s current processing volume. It can accommodate larger workloads while meeting AMS2759/6 requirements for aerospace nitriding applications that require strict control of compound layer formation, case depth, and process uniformity.

In addition to conventional gas nitriding, the new furnace enables ferritic nitrocarburizing, providing an additional surface engineering option in many alloy steels. Along with advanced pyrometry and temperature uniformity controls, these features ensure compliance with AMS2750 for critical applications.

With this addition, Vacu-Braze can process a broader range of part sizes while maintaining process control and consistency.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Additional Vacuum Furnace Supports Heat Treatment of Aircraft Engine Blades

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, BRAZING NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

An aerospace manufacturer has ordered a vacuum furnace to support heat treatment of high-performance alloys used in aircraft components, including engine blades. The system is designed to provide controlled atmosphere processing and precise temperature uniformity required for materials such as titanium, nickel alloys, and high-temperature steels.

The vacuum furnace was supplied by SECO/WARWICK, a global manufacturer of thermal processing equipment with locations in North America, to a Thai aerospace manufacturer expanding its production capabilities. The order includes a single-chamber Vector® vacuum furnace intended for heat treatment and vacuum brazing applications.

The furnace features a working chamber measuring 900 mm x 900 mm x 1200 mm, enabling the heat treatment of larger components. It is designed to support high vacuum processes while maintaining charge purity, with solutions that limit sublimation of alloying elements and reduce contamination within the hot zone — factors that are important in aerospace component production.

Lukasz Chwiałkowski
Sales Manager
SECO/WARWICK
Source: SECO/WARWICK

“It consists of two Leybold mechanical pumps, a Roots pump, and a diffusion pump. The round heating chamber ensures excellent temperature distribution (±5°C/±9°F), and the cooling system enables rapid gas cooling to a pressure of 6 bar abs. Additionally, the furnace provides precise control of partial pressure of argon and nitrogen, which is crucial for the quality of vacuum and brazing processes,” commented Łukasz Chwiałkowski, sales manager at SECO/WARWICK.

This is the second collaboration between the two companies in Thailand. The client already owns an identical SECO/WARWICK vacuum furnace that supports the production of titanium, high-temperature steel and nickel alloy aircraft engine blades. The addition of a second vacuum is expected to increase production capacity and provide operational flexibility for the aerospace manufacturer’s thermal processing operations.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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California Facility Adds 10-Bar Vacuum Furnace

/ MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, QUENCHING NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

Solar Atmospheres has announced the installation and full commissioning of a new 10-bar vacuum furnace at its Fontana, California, further expanding the company’s high-pressure vacuum heat treating capacity in the western United States. The system enables vacuum heat treating and high-pressure quenching of large components essential to high-performance applications across aerospace and other critical industries.

The furnace, manufactured by sister company Solar Manufacturing, is a horizontal vacuum system with a 48″ wide x 48″ high x 96″ deep hot zone and a maximum load capacity of 12,000 pounds. Equipped with a vacuum pumping package capable of reaching an ultimate vacuum level of 1×10⁻⁶ Torr, the furnace is designed for processing titanium and other high-performance alloys that require tightly controlled, low-contamination environments.

Derek Dennis
President
Solar Atmospheres California

“This investment gives our [clients] another regional solution for high-pressure quenching of large components and heavy workloads,” said Derek Dennis, president of Solar Atmospheres California. It also allows the company to increase capacity and improve efficiency as demand continues to grow, he adds.

The move supports vacuum heat treating needs across aerospace, defense, medical, and power generation markets, with capacity aimed at maintaining consistent turnaround and performance.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Vacuum Casting Expansion Strengthens Turbine Component Manufacturing

/ ENERGY HEAT TREAT NEWS, FOUNDRY CASTING NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

Two vacuum induction melting (VIM) casting systems are being deployed to support the production of components used in power generation turbine manufacturing. The systems are designed to produce advanced alloys with controlled microstructures for components operating under demanding thermal and mechanical conditions.

The equipment, engineered to support both equiaxed (EQ) and directionally solidified (DS) casting processes, will be used in the production of high-performance, nickel-based alloy turbine components. These casting technologies are critical for achieving the structural integrity, thermal resistance, and performance consistency required in modern power generation turbines operating under extreme conditions.

Earl Good
President
Retech

Retech, a U.S.-based company and part of the SECO/WARWICK Group, supplied the two VIM systems. “These systems were designed to build on prior installations while incorporating specific changes requested by the [client] to support their current and future production goals,” said Earl Good, president of Retech. The systems are based on Retech’s core designs but incorporate client-specific modifications, tailoring feeder configurations to align with the client’s established production practices. This enables repeatable casting while maintaining precise thermal and atmospheric control throughout the process.

The order continues a relationship between Retech and the client that dates back to the 1980s, with several legacy systems still in operation at the facility. The client has indicated plans to expand capacity in the coming years, including potential additional system purchases and replacement of older equipment.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Heat Treater Acquisition Enhances Integrated Manufacturing Capabilities

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, BRAZING NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

G.S. Precision, a precision machining and manufacturing company headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, has expanded its global manufacturing platform with the announcement of the acquisition of Lush Heat Treatment Ltd. and Headwater Precision, Inc., strengthening vertical integrated capabilities that support aerospace, defense, and other high-spec industries. The additions broaden the company’s technical scope across machining, coatings, and thermal processing, while extending the company’s geographic footprint in North America and Europe.

James R. Callan
Chief Executive Officer
G.S. Precision

Lush Heat Treatment, based in the United Kingdom, provides vacuum and endothermic heat treating services, as well as brazing services, for clients in the aerospace, defense, space, and nuclear power sectors. These processes support the performance requirements of critical components operating in demanding environments.

Headwater Precision, located in New Hampshire, is a precision manufacturing and advanced coating technologies business serving clients in aerospace defense, semiconductor, and industrial markets.

By bringing these capabilities together, G.S. Precision is positioning its company to offer a more integrated manufacturing approach, combining machining, surface treatment, and heat treating within a single organizational structure.

James R. Callan, chief executive officer of G.S. Precision, said the acquisitions align with the company’s growth strategy, adding capabilities such as advanced coatings and specialized heat treating to better support clients producing mission-critical components.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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