European Steel Acquisitions Set To Double Metals Production Capacity

/ AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT, AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT NEWS

A British-owned international metals and industrial group, specializing in commodities, metals recycling, manufacture of steel, aluminum and engineering products recently announced a conditional agreement to purchase four European steel plants.

The Liberty Group, which is part of the GFG Alliance will acquire ArcelorMittal’s major integrated works at Galati in Romania and Ostrava in the Czech Republic, along with rolling mills at Skopje in Macedonia and Piombino in Italy.

Jay Hambro, chief investment officer of the GFG Alliance

Adding these major steel hubs more than doubles Liberty’s global metal manufacturing capacity in the U.K. as a steel and aluminum supplier to the automotive, aviation and specialist engineering sectors and in Australia supplying steel for building and infrastructure. The Group also makes steel in the USA for the automotive and other sectors.

The four sites in the package have a combined rolling capacity of around 8m tonnes a year and would give Liberty the ability to supply a full range of finished steels, including plate, hot rolled coil, cold rolled coil, galvanized sheet, tin plate, bar, wire rod, and rail. The plants serve domestic and wider European markets, including automotive, construction, industrial machinery, and oil and gas sectors.

“Following relevant approvals for this transaction, the GFG Alliance will have a number of new global hubs in Europe,” said Jay Hambro, chief investment officer of the GFG Alliance. “These steel operations are high-performing, profitable assets with modern equipment, excellent transport connections to key markets and high-skilled workforces. There is huge potential for expansion, further modernization and the application of GFG’s GREENSTEEL strategy.

European Steel Acquisitions Set To Double Metals Production Capacity Read More »

Carbon Steel Hot-Rolling Conversion Agreement Reached

/ AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT, AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT NEWS, FEATURED NEWS

A global manufacturer of technically advanced specialty materials and complex components recently signed an agreement with a leading steel company to provide carbon steel hot-rolling conversion services.

Bob Wetherbee, ATI’s CEO-Designate and current Executive Vice President, Flat-Rolled Products Group

Allegheny Technologies Incorporated will perform these services for NLMK USA at its world-class Hot-Rolling and Processing Facility, or HRPF, in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania. Slab shipments to ATI will begin immediately and increase to anticipated production levels in the first quarter of 2019. This agreement covers conversion services through December 2019.

“We are pleased to announce this agreement with an innovative partner like NLMK USA. They truly understand the value proposition provided by our HRPF and the benefits that it can bring to their end customers,” said Bob Wetherbee, ATI’s CEO-Designate and current Executive Vice President, Flat-Rolled Products Group. “This agreement provides ATI with guaranteed fee-per-ton volumes and significantly increases the asset utilization at our world-class HRPF. This incremental volume benefits all HRPF-produced products. We look forward to working with NLMK on additional growth opportunities.”

Bob Miller, Chief Executive Officer, NLMK USA

“NLMK USA is pleased to enter into this agreement with ATI. It expands our ability to supply the high-quality materials that US manufacturers demand. Due to its immense power and unique capabilities, ATI’s HRPF enables us to increase the breadth of our product portfolio to better complement the products produced at our Sharon, Pennsylvania, and Portage, Indiana, facilities,” stated Bob Miller, Chief Executive Officer, NLMK USA. “We were attracted to the HRPF’s capabilities and its close proximity to many of our strategic customers. ATI and NLMK were able to structure a win-win agreement that will ultimately benefit NLMK’s end customers by providing high-quality and distinctive carbon flat-rolled products at competitive prices.”

 

Carbon Steel Hot-Rolling Conversion Agreement Reached Read More »

CNC Machined Components Manufacturer Acquires Like Company

/ MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

An industry leader in the production of CNC machined components recently announced the completion of the acquisition of a Summerville, South Carolina, manufacturer of similar products for the commercial truck, agricultural, utility vehicle, automotive and appliance markets.

Skyway Precision, based in Plymouth, Michigan, has added Bellwright Manufacturing LLC to its footprint, which includes manufacturing facilities in Michigan and Wisconsin. The Summerville location is now operating as Skyway Precision South, Inc.

“We are excited to work with the Bellwright team to enhance our value proposition to our customers,” said Bill Bonnell, President of Skyway. “This transaction demonstrates our continued commitment to leadership in our core products and technologies and to creating long-term, value-added partnerships with our customers. We will continue to pursue disciplined organic growth with our customers, as well as strategic acquisitions.”

Skyway is a leader in the machining of complex, close tolerance, iron and aluminum drivetrain components for the transportation and general power markets, including light and heavy commercial truck, recreational vehicle, automotive, marine, construction, agricultural, and power generation equipment applications.

CNC Machined Components Manufacturer Acquires Like Company Read More »

The Heart of a Vacuum Furnace System

/ FEATURED NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, VACUUM PUMPS GAUGES VALVES, VACUUM PUMPS GAUGES VALVES TECHNICAL CONTENT

 

Source: VAC AERO International

 

Heat treaters know that the heart of a vacuum furnace system is the pumping system. As broad as the variety of furnaces is, so is the selection of pump types.

A roots blower, which also goes by the name “booster pump” and “intermediate stage vacuum pump,” is a dry, gas transfer pump that boosts the performance of the primary pump, providing an increase in pumping speed and pressure. This article from VAC AERO International’s Vacuum Pump Technology: Education and Training page provides an exhaustive analysis of the heart of a vacuum furnace system: the pump.

“Roots blowers have the reputation of being virtually indestructible and run for years seemingly unattended while the primary (mechanical) and high vacuum (diffusion pumps seem to receive all the attention. While they need little day-to-day maintenance, monitoring of the oil level in the pump is required. The main function of these booster pumps is to improve pump-down rates and ultimate vacuum levels.” ~ VAC AERO International

Read more: “Roots Blowers (aka Booster Pumps)”

The Heart of a Vacuum Furnace System Read More »

Heat Treating Restarts with Pipe Mill Reopening

/ ENERGY HEAT TREAT

A Texas company that manufactures a complete range of seamless and welded steel tubular products recently celebrated the reopening of its plant in Conroe, which will include the restart of heat treating capabilities.

Luca Zanotti, Tenaris President, USA

Tenaris had suspended operations at the Conroe mill, which is located about 40 miles north of Houston, for three years due to an economic slowdown in the oil & gas industry. The plant is now heat treating and finishing pipe from Tenaris’s mill in Bay City, Texas, to support the ramp-up of domestic production. Tenaris invested approximately $7 million USD to ready the plant for operations, including safety, training, equipment and systems upgrades.

“I want to thank our employees, many of whom have returned to the plant and those who are new to Tenaris, for their dedication to completing a safe, and successful, start-up,” said Luca Zanotti, Tenaris President, USA. “Our Conroe facility is playing an important role in the resurgence of US manufacturing.”

 

 

Photo credit: Tenaris / Photo caption: From left to right: Roberto DeHoyos, Tenaris Vice President of Public Affairs; Germán Curá, Vice Chairman, Tenaris Board of Directors; U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady; and Luca Zanotti, Tenaris President, USA tour the reopened plant in Conroe during an event held on October 19, 2018.

 

Heat Treating Restarts with Pipe Mill Reopening Read More »

Heat Treating Group Launches Mechanical Testing Facility

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT, AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, FEATURED NEWS, HARDNESS TESTERS NEWS

A U.K. heat treatment specialist recently went operational with a new in-house mechanical testing facility, certified by UKAS, at its Cambridge plant.

Andy Fox, operations director at Wallwork Cambridge.

With the new testing equipment, Wallwork, based in Bury, England, has the capability to run tensile, compression, and hardness tests on materials and components prior to and post heat treatment, boosting customer order turn-around times.

“Destructive testing is mainly specified by customers in aerospace, however, it is becoming increasingly common in motorsport, medical devices, and other industries where there can be no compromise in product integrity. The new facility gives us much quicker results than going out to an external testing lab,” said Andy Fox, operations director at Cambridge.

In addition to Rockwell hardness and shadowgraph is the new Z100 testing rig from ZwickRoell, which allows Wallwork to quickly identify any material or processing issues that could impact quality as well as data to refine existing metal heat treatment processes, component design and more. Wallwork operates vacuum brazing units at Manchester and Cambridge where the new Z100 has the potential to confirm joint strength between vacuum brazed materials.

“Faster turnaround of testing results is necessary for us to meet customer manufacturing targets and it also makes much easier the internal management of important accreditations,” said Fox.

Heat Treating Group Launches Mechanical Testing Facility Read More »

Furnace Manufacturer Unveils Cleaning Process for Heat Exchangers

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES, PARTS CLEANING NEWS

A leading vacuum furnace manufacturer recently announced the development of an improved process to clean heat exchanger fins that become clogged with debris and dirt. A clogged heat exchanger greatly impedes quench gas flow, resulting in reduced work cooling rates.

Solar Atmospheres of Souderton, Pennsylvania, states that its special process involves a 12-hour soak, water jets recirculating forced water, pressure washing, and nitrogen gas drying to result in an “as new” condition.

 

Furnace Manufacturer Unveils Cleaning Process for Heat Exchangers Read More »

Publisher’s Page: Manufacturers with In-House Heat Treat: Welcome to Heat Treat Today

/ PUBLISHER'S PAGE

Heat Treat Today publishes four print magazines a year, and included in each is a letter from the publisher, Doug Glenn. This letter first appeared in Heat Treat Today‘s Trade Show edition, October 2018.

Doug Glenn, Publisher, Heat Treat Today

Aerospace, automotive, medical, and energy sector manufacturers who do their own in-house heat treating are a diverse and interesting group. And while they vary, they also share quite a bit in common – they all use heat and they all would prefer to not make mistakes.

That’s why, in early June 2016, Heat Treat Today went public on the web and has grown to be a helpful resource for this diverse group. With this premiere print issue, we’re hoping to enhance that helpfulness.

“We believe people are happier and make better decisions when they are well informed.”

After serving as the publisher of Industrial Heating magazine for 20 years (1994-2013), my wife and I decided to start our own heat treating publication and help the people and industry we’d grown to love over two decades. Our website clearly states WHY we’re doing what we’re doing: “We believe people are happier and make better decisions when they are well informed.” That’s why we’re here. We like making people happy. We like helping.

As you read through this first issue of Heat Treat Today, if you think of something that we could do to be more helpful, especially if it is something that will inform you and make you more happy, please contact us.

To-date, here are some of the helpful tools we’ve already launched – and I will say right here and now to “stay tuned” because there are more ideas in the works.

  • www.heattreattoday.com This is where it started. You can take a look if you haven’t done so already. Every weekday we post at least one new technical or news item on the site. We hope it’s helpful. Based on current feedback, it does.
  • Heat Treat Today’s Daily e-Newsletter. At first, we called this our “almost daily” e-newsletter because we’d miss a day here and there. But it has struck a chord and now we’re publishing ONE every weekday and blasting it out to thousands of heat treat industry leaders. You can subscribe by going to www.heattreattoday.com/subscribe and you can see a list of past 100 e-newsletters by Googling “Heat Treat Today Last 100 e-Newsletters.”
  • Heat Treat Radio. This is a fun one for me because I enjoy talking to people and learning about the products, processes, or technologies that they’re offering that might be of help to you. By the time this issue publishes in early October 2018, we’ll have roughly 15 episodes posted to the site. Check it out. Google “Heat Treat Radio” and click on the first NON-PAID result that comes up. Our goal is to do roughly 2 episodes every month. We’ll see! Let us know if you have a topic you’d like covered.
  • Heat Treat Consultants. This is one of my favorites because, to my knowledge, it is not being done anywhere else in the industry. Imagine this (which should not be too difficult to do!) – You’ve run into a heat treat problem in the plant. It might be a process problem, a material problem, or an equipment problem. The guy who just retired has historically been the “go-to” guy for things like this. Now, who do you go to? If there is no one in-house to whom you can turn, what are you going to do. Googling “heat treat help” isn’t going to save you any time. Up to this moment in time, there has not been a single place where you could go to get a list of ALL heat treat consultants at-a-glance. Now there is. Google “Heat Treat Today Consultants” and enjoy.
  • Heat Treat Shop. This is a monthly e-newsletter that has roughly 7 to 10 heat treat components, parts, services, or supplies that may or may not be of interest to you that month, but certainly will be of interest to you at some point in your heat treating journey. To subscribe, go to www.heattreattoday.com/subscribe.

This is where it starts. We have plenty of ideas on how we can help, but please let us know if you have something specific you’d like to see. Enjoy Heat Treat Today.

Publisher’s Page: Manufacturers with In-House Heat Treat: Welcome to Heat Treat Today Read More »

Passenger Pod Unveiled as Race to Hyperloop Technology Speeds Up

/ MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

 

Source: ThomasNet.com

 

A company which has been moving hyperloop transport technology closer to reality is Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, which recently unveiled its full-sized Hyperloop passenger pod, expected to allow for the comfortable transportation of 28 to 40 passengers. The capsule skin is made of Vibranium, carbon fiber with embedded sensors.

Read more here: "Hyperloop Heats Up with Unveiling of New Passenger Pod"

 

Passenger Pod Unveiled as Race to Hyperloop Technology Speeds Up Read More »

15 Quick Heat Treat News Items to Keep You Current

/ FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

15 Quick Heat Treat News Items to Keep You Current

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry.

Personnel and Company Chatter

  • AFC-Holcroft has announced the addition of Daniel Hill as the newest member of their sales team. Hill will be based out of the company’s headquarters in Wixom, Michigan, focusing on key account management as well as new lead generation. Hill will report to Tracy Dougherty, Sales Manager at AFC-Holcroft.
  • Solar Atmospheres’ CEO, Roger A. Jones, was awarded the distinguished honor of ASM Fellow (FASM) at the ASM Awards Dinner on Tuesday, October 16, 2018. According to ASM, “The honor of Fellow represents recognition of distinguished contributions in the field of materials science and engineering, and develops a broadly based forum for technical and professional leaders to serve as advisors to the Society.” Roger’s citation reads: “For advancing production vacuum thermal processes and procedures for large and heavy assemblies utilizing state of the art vacuum furnaces, for the enhancement of the overall heat treating industry.”
  • A company that specializes in automated manufacturing solutions for automotive manufacturers among other industries, Innovative Automation, has acquired Tridan International, which supplies machinery for the production of heat exchangers, evaporators and condensers commonly used in manufacturing. This acquisition includes all ongoing operations of the company from their 88,000 square foot facility in Danville, IL.
  • StandardAero, the world’s largest independent Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A Designated Overhaul Facility (DOF) with Distribution rights, has recently inducted the first five PT6A-68 engines at its Summerside facility on Prince Edward Island, Canada.  StandardAero has provided full-service support for the PT6A-68 since 2013 but is now in the process of transferring its support of the engine model to its Summerside facility, as part of the company’s Center of Excellence (COE) activity, announced in May 2018.
  • Caterpillar, Inc, has announced that a closed South Carolina casting facility will house its new $13.5 million, 103,000-square-foot building in Hodges where it will produce specialty castings for various engines and transmissions in Caterpillar’s line of products.
  • Schenck Process, which engages in the design, manufacture, and supply of applied measuring and process technology, announced the acquisition of Process Components Ltd, a UK based designer and manufacturer of powder processing and handling equipment, components and spare parts, and its subsidiaries.
  • Braidy Industries and its subsidiary Veloxint recently announced five new executive appointments. Julio Ramirez will take on the position of Chief Financial Officer at Braidy. At Veloxint, Major General Kevin McNeely (Ret.) joins as Chief Operations Officer; Dr. Phoebe Kwan will take on the role of Chief Commercial Officer; Dr. Judson “Jud” Marte will be Vice President of Product Development; and John Gaspervich joins Veloxint as Executive Vice President of Manufacturing.

Equipment Chatter

  • A forced air recirculating oven was supplied by Lucifer Furnaces to a manufacturer of medical & aerospace parts and will be used to heat treat 17-4 stainless steel.
  • A tool and die manufacturer recently expanded its in-house heat treat capabilities with a Vector® furnace, one of the SECO/VACUUM (a SECO/WARWICK Group company) flagship vacuum furnaces. The purchase process included validation tests of tooling dies in a similar nearby furnace with positive results. The furnace being delivered is a  horizontal, front-loading Vector furnace with a capacity of 2,650 lbs.
  • A leading provider of metal additive manufacturing (AM) solutions recently announced that a prominent Southeast Asian aerospace parts manufacturer has purchased a dual-purpose Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing (EBAM®) and EB Welding System. Sciaky, Inc., a subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries, Inc. (PSI), provided the one-of-a-kind hybrid machine to be customized with special controls to switch from 3D printing to welding in a quick and easy process. The manufacturer will utilize the system to 3D print metal structures, as well as weld dissimilar materials and refractory alloys for these structures and other aerospace parts.
  • Four Gruenberg explosion resistant Class “A” truck-in-ovens were shipped to the pharmaceutical industry by Thermal Product Solutions. The pharmaceutical ovens are rated for Class A operation to handle processing solvents per the NFPA 86 specifications.
  • A continuous mesh belt conveyor furnace was shipped by Lindberg/MPH to the computer market. This conveyor furnace is configured for soldering process applications, provides a heating and cooling process environment under a nitrogen/hydrogen blended atmosphere, and will be heated to the customer’s specified temperature (maximum of 1000°C).
  • A leading supplier of the automobile industry received shipment of a natural gas-fired two zone conveyor oven from Wisconsin Oven Corporation. The conveyor oven will be used for stress relieving automotive springs and has the design capacity to heat approximately 11,000 pounds of springs per hour. The overall work chamber dimensions of this stress relieving oven are 11’3” wide x 24’3” long x 14’0” high. The maximum operating temperature is 650°C (1202° F) with guaranteed temperature uniformity of ±5°C at set points of 520°C (968° F) and 570° C (1058° F) to ensure the conveyor oven meets the CQI-9, 3rd edition process Table E for stress relieving/annealing.

Kudos Chatter

 

  • In 2019, AGMA will expand upon the legacy and success of Gear Expo, launching the Motion + Power Technology Expo (MPT Expo). The new show will continue its focus on gears and mechanical power transmission while adding fluid power and electric drive exhibitors to provide all power transmission options to our attendees
  • eldec LLC recently unveiled a new website for manufacturing professionals who use induction heating, brazing, shrink fitting, pre-heating for laser welding, or annealing in their manufacturing processes. The new site provides updates on company and product information, trade shows, and manufacturing and equipment maintenance tips. It can be accessed at www.inductionheatingexperts.com.

 

Heat Treat Today is pleased to join in the announcements of growth and achievement throughout the industry by highlighting them here on our News Chatter page. Please send any information you feel may be of interest to manufacturers with in-house heat treat departments especially in the aerospace, automotive, medical, and energy sectors to the editor at editor@heattreattoday.com.

15 Quick Heat Treat News Items to Keep You Current Read More »