VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

Advanced Vacuum Carburizing Furnace for Aerospace Industry

A prominent aerospace company known for producing advanced, high-precision components for the global aviation and aerospace engine industry has been shipped a vacuum carburizing furnace. Headquartered in North America, the company’s aerospace division has been a trusted resource for the aeroengine sector for decades.

Vacuum carburizing furnace for aerospace
Source: Solar Manufacturing

To support the development of a specialized carburizing process, Solar Manufacturing partnered closely with the R&D team at its sister company, Solar Atmospheres, a heat treating affiliate. Collaborative testing was conducted at Solar Atmospheres’ Technology Center in Souderton, Pennsylvania, where engineers from both organizations worked together to fine-tune the process to meet the specific metallurgical specifications.

“This collaboration was invaluable in achieving the desired metallurgical results,” said Rick Jones, regional sales manager at Solar Manufacturing.

The delivered system features a graphite-insulated hot zone measuring 48” wide × 48” high × 60” deep, capable of reaching temperatures up to 2400°F (1370°C). The furnace can accommodate workloads up to 5,000 pounds and includes an internal gas cooling system that provides rapid 2-bar nitrogen quenching.

Press release is available in its original form here.



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Vacuum Furnace for Energy Industry

A manufacturer of heavy duty gas turbines has ordered a vacuum furnace with screen insulation and molybdenum heating elements. Siemens Energy Global will be provided the furnace by a company with U.S. locations and it will be used mainly for brazing gas turbine hot path parts like blades & vanes.

Maciej Korecki
Vice President of the Vacuum Segment
SECO/WARWICK

Siemens Energy Global has chosen SECO/WARWICK to provide the vacuum furnace. The device on order includes a mechanical pump, an efficient Roots pump, and a diffusion pump. The molybdenum heating chamber ensures a required temperature distribution and provides process cleanliness.

“The Vector vacuum furnace solves the partner’s problem of heat treating an increased number of large blades & vanes requiring a high degree of cleanliness in both the brazing and annealing processes. The Vector will relieve the production burden on the current equipment in operation in the client’s manufacturing & repair facility in Berlin.” said Maciej Korecki, vice president of the vacuum segment, SECO/WARWICK Group.

Grzegorz Głuchowski
Sales Manager
SECO/WARWICK

“We used a molybdenum heating chamber, partial pressure system, dew point sensors, and a very efficient high vacuum system. An important aspect is also the fact that the furnace will be integrated with the client’s master system using the OPC Unified Architecture communication protocol. Thanks to this, we can connect with a wide range of machines and industrial devices,” commented Grzegorz Głuchowski, sales manager for SECO/WARWICK.

The heat treatment processes associated with this furnace are benefited by the ability to cool at 1.5 bar in argon.

Press release is available in its original form here.



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Aviation Manufacturer Expands In-House Vacuum Heat Treat

An in-house heat treat manufacturer of highly specialized aviation parts will be increasing their vacuum heat treat abilities with a horizontal furnace.

SECO/WARWICK will be providing the Chinese aviation manufacturer with the Vector vacuum furnace, which will include a graphite chamber and gas cooling system.

Source: SECO/WARWICK
Maciej Korecki
Vice President of Business of the Vacuum Furnace Segment
SECO/WARWICK

“The partner who ordered the Vector vacuum furnace is just starting their operation…In the case of aviation, these values are of significant importance. The quality of the parts produced can determine the safety of many people, so precision is our foundation and the highest value,” summarized Maciej Korecki, vice president of the vacuum furnaces segment at the SECO/WARWICK Group.

The furnace dimensions are 900x600x900 mm with a maximum load capacity is 800 kg.

Press release is available in its original form here.



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Manufacturer Upgrades Hot Zone For Aerospace Industry

A prominent United States-based global aerospace company replaced a hot zone for their vacuum furnace. The company performs thermal processing on a variety of critical aerospace components used across multiple aircraft platforms.

John Hahn
Aftermarket Sales Manager
Solar Manufacturing
Source: Linkedin

Solar Manufacturing was contracted to replace an Ipsen VFC-924 hot zone.

John Hahn, aftermarket sales manager at Solar Manufacturing, noted: “They trusted our engineering and service teams to design and build a hot zone with key modifications that would enhance performance and longevity.”

The hot zone was implemented with improvements to boost hot zone efficiency, serviceability, and lifespan, such as graphite felt insulation for thermal efficiency, CFC 0.050” hot face for increased durability, and CFC edge trim throughout (door, bottom, and top bung) to extend hot zone life.

Press release is available in its original form here.



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Company Expands Services In Aerospace Industry and Beyond With Vacuum Furnace

A company that services the aerospace industry has expanded its thermal processing capabilities with a new vacuum furnace, growing their operations into multinational thermal processing.

Piotr Zawistowski
Managing Director
SECO/VACUUM

SECO/WARWICK has produced the vacuum furnace, which is customized to meet the rigorous heat treating standards of the aerospace industry, one of the industries they serve. As such, the 6-bar Vector is equipped for dual gas quench with nitrogen, argon, or any partial-pressure of the two, automatically set and maintained according to the batch recipe. It is also equipped with a high-vacuum system with a diffusion pump, key features for many aerospace-grade thermal processes.

Director of Operations, one of the family-business owners, stated, “Our ongoing success is powered by our partnership with SECO/WARWICK. This state-of-the-art furnace introduces advanced automation, ensuring faster turnaround times while maintaining the highest quality standards for our customers. Additionally, this new technology enhances our capabilities, granting us the confidence to enter new markets and secure new opportunities with exceptional reliability.”

“We never take that partnership for granted.” Piotr Zawistowski, Managing Director of SECO/VACUUM, responded.

This new Vector is horizontally configured with a 24x24x36 inch (600x600x900 mm) hot zone equipped for a payload of 1750lbs (800kg).

Press release is available in its original form here.



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Aviation Industry Supplier Expands with HPGQ Furnace

A screws and fasteners manufacturer for the aviation industry is expanding its heat treating operations with a vacuum furnace with high-pressure gas quenching (HPGQ) and high vacuum for multipurpose and dedicated applications. The vacuum’s heating chamber is 16x16x24 in (400x400x600 mm), a compact design that accommodates the company’s small in-house hardening plant while still being large enough to enable efficient heat treatment of multiple components at once.

Maciej Korecki
Vice President of Vacuum Business Segment
SECO/WARWICK

The SECO/WARWICK furnace is designed with the ability to work on both nitrogen and argon and includes a round heating chamber with a temperature uniformity of +/-9oF (+/-5oC), and convection heating up to 1590°F (850°C). The Vector HV (high vacuum) furnace meets standards required in the heat treatment of components intended for the aviation industry; material heating processes require cleanliness (which is why an additional argon-partial pressure system was used) and a high heating temperature of 2192oF (1200oC).

“The Client required very short cooling times, which are possible with the use of a 15 bar abs gas blower,” said Maciej Korecki, vice president of the vacuum segment, SECO/WARWICK Group. “Our advantage is that it is a proven solution (our standard but adapted to the partner’s specific requirements). Vector offers wide personalization possibilities, which significantly reduces project costs and ensures faster implementation time.”

Press release is available in its original from here.



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Aviation Industry Supplier Expands Vacuum Heat Treatment Capabilities

A company that supplies metal injection molded components for the aviation industry has expanded its production capabilities with a vacuum furnace. This solution will increase the capacity to provide hardening process services while meeting aviation standards required by the industry.

Sławomir Woźniak
President of the Management Board
SECO/WARWICK Group

The Vector® vacuum furnace will process materials using an additional argon hydrogen partial pressure system, providing heating at a high level: 2192˚F (1200˚C). This is SECO/WARWICK‘s second collaboration with the company, one of the largest manufacturers offering metal injection molding technology with manufacturing capabilities including vertical integration of finishing technologies such as nickel and trivalent chromium electroplating, vacuum heat treatment and seal hardening, as well as precision grinding and CNC machining with micron tolerances.

“This partner is a global brand which has shown their trust in us for the second time by ordering a vacuum furnace, which we will now be able to service locally and more comprehensively,” said Sławomir Woźniak, president of the management board, SECO/WARWICK Group.

The furnace’s pumping system enables vacuum processes to be carried out in medium and high ranges, thanks to the use of a very good pumping system, and incorporates three process gases: argon, nitrogen, and hydrogen.

Press release is available in its original form here.



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Heat Treater Expands Capacity and Footprint

Solar Atmospheres in Souderton, PA, has commissioned two additional 2-bar vacuum furnaces, expanding its capabilities to meet demand in the aerospace and industrial gas turbine sectors. The equipment will allow the company to specialize in hydride/de-hydride processing of titanium, tantalum and niobium.

Mike Moyer
Vice President of Sales
Solar Atmospheres Souderton

These vacuum furnaces, produced by the heat treater’s sister company, Solar Manufacturing, feature large working hot zones (45” x 45” x 72”) and are rated for operations up to 2400°F with a precise temperature uniformity of ±10°F.

“We’re thrilled to add these advanced furnaces to Solar Souderton’s lineup,” said Mike Moyer, vice president of sales, at Solar Atmospheres. “Equipped with Solar Manufacturing’s latest control systems, they ensure efficient, safe operation — meeting our customers’ needs for competitive pricing and fast delivery. This installation reinforces our commitment to consistently high-quality service.”

More Solar Atmospheres News…

Robert Hill, FASM
President
Solar Atmospheres of Western PA

Solar Atmospheres of Michigan, Inc., announced the completion of its 20,000 square-foot facility expansion, marked by the official receipt of an occupancy permit from Chesterfield Township.

“Next week, we’ll begin the process of moving our Shipping and Receiving Department, along with other essential ancillary equipment, into the newly completed adjoining building,” said Bob Hill, president of Solar Atmospheres of Michigan. “This expansion is a vital step forward, enabling us to optimize workflow, boost production capacity, and further improve the quality of our vacuum heat treating services for our valued clients.”

The expanded facility will allow Solar Atmospheres of Michigan to streamline operations and meet growing customer demands from various industries.

The press releases are available in their original forms here and here.



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Retech Expands with ReMelt Scientific

Retech, which provides advanced technologies for melting and refining reactive and refractory metals, has acquired ReMelt Scientific, broadening the capabilities for the vacuum and aluminum melting divisions of the SECO/WARWICK company. The two companies have been working alongside one another for decades on a less formal basis offering consulting, collaborating and subcontracting services. This acquisition formalizes that partnership.

Earl Good
Managing Director
Retech

ReMelt Scientific, based in Canton, Ohio, specializes in material handling and waste processing equipment for ultra-pure remelt of recycled tailings, scrap, and revert. This acquisition brings an advanced technology experience under one umbrella for clients of Retech’s innovative vacuum metallurgy solutions.

“I think ReMelt is a valuable acquisition and it seems to fit well with the Retech portfolio and the SECO/WARWICK Group business overall,” said Earl Good, managing director of Retech

Sławomir Woźniak
President & CEO
SECO/WARWICK Group

The acquisition will allow the SECO subsidiary to offer more comprehensive solutions in the vacuum metallurgy segment. Vacuum metallurgy, which involves the melting and refining of metals in a controlled atmosphere, is critical for producing high-purity metals and alloys used in various high-tech applications. Aluminum melting is a complex process that requires precise control and advanced technology to ensure the production of high-quality aluminum products. ReMelt’s knowledge in aluminum waste processing and material handling will enable its new parent company to offer state-of-the-art aluminum melting solutions that meet the industry’s stringent demands.

“While ReMelt will join the Retech division, they really are an asset to the whole Group and our worldwide operations as a whole”, said Sławomir Woźniak, CEO of SECO/WARWICK Group.

The press release is available in its original form here.



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ECM Group Expands with Acquisition in Italy

The ECM Group, a provider of solutions and services for industrial heat treatment companies with a subsidiary based in North America, recently acquired Vacuum Service & Maintenance (Vacuum SM), an Italian company which specializes in the maintenance of industrial furnaces for vacuum heat treatment. This acquisition will enable the company to consolidate its European presence and improve its responsiveness by being closer to its client base.

Vacuum SM anticipates the benefit of support from ECM Group while keeping its independence under the management of Roberto Bartoli, Andrea Cantarini, and Lorenzo Tirloni. The company will begin training on the products of ECM Technologies, the Grenoble-based Group’s main subsidiary.

The press release is available in its original form here.



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