Materials Testing Lab to Open in Shanghai to Serve Aerospace Industries in China, Asia Pacific

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT, AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS

A world-class materials testing lab based in China will open as a joint venture between a leading advanced composites manufacturer headquartered in Connecticut and a Chinese technology-led aircraft and aerospace engine parts and components integrated manufacturer and service provider.

The Shanghai Future Aerospace Hexcel Commercial Composite Testing enterprise was formed by Hexcel Corporation and Future Aerospace to offer testing services to commercial aerospace industries in China and Asia Pacific.

Thierry Merlot, Hexcel president, Aerospace – Europe, Middle East and Asia

This new facility, located in Lingang, an area of Shanghai, will provide China with an aerospace standard material test laboratory to ease material qualification and support certification for new programs. Expected activities at the site include the testing of composite laminate specimens, material qualifications, and support for customers’ supply chains in China. Future Aerospace brings its expertise in heat treating, metallic manufacturing, composites forming, and surface treatment. Hexcel develops lightweight, high-performance structural materials for use in commercial aerospace, space and defense, and industrial applications.

“I am delighted that we are joining with Future Aerospace to establish this world-class composite materials testing facility in China. This investment is in response to local customer demand and demonstrates our commitment to support the commercial aerospace industry’s growing use of composite materials in China,” said Thierry Merlot, Hexcel president, Aerospace – Europe, Middle East and Asia.

“We are pleased to partner with Hexcel. The collaboration enables Future Aerospace and Hexcel to play a key role in supporting the development and implementation of composite material applications in commercial aerospace industries in China for both Chinese and global aerospace customers,” said Han Hua, chairman, Future Aerospace.

Operations at the new site are expected to begin in September 2018 and will include the manufacture of composite coupons for mechanical testing, building on the work that Hexcel already carries out for the aerospace industry at facilities in Europe and the U.S. with expertise in structural composite testing and qualifications.

Photo credit: Stock photo

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Nevada Heat Treater Adds Aerospace Accredited Aluminum Capabilities

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT, AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, FEATURED NEWS

A full-service heat treating company serving a broad range of industries recently announced the capability to offer aerospace accredited aluminum heat treating.

Nevada Heat Treating (NHT), baesd in Carson City, Nevada, added a drop bottom furnace to its thermal processing lines to treat aerospace and commercial jobs to the latest AMS aluminum heat treating specifications. The aluminum drop bottom furnace is certified as a Class 2 furnace, meeting AMS2750 standards, and is equipped with multiple state-of-the-art quenching systems for the needs of a broad range of industries including aerospace, semiconductor, military, nuclear, and machine shops.

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ITPS/IFCS Breakout Sessions to Feature Trends & Innovations Driving the Thermal Processing and Industrial Finishing Markets

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

With no other event in North America for executives in the thermal processing and industrial finishing and coatings industries, ITPS/IFCS is a can’t miss event for leaders in these manufacturing segments. While the joint general sessions will address topics impacting manufacturing as a whole, two breakout sessions that focus specifically on topics of significance to the thermal processing and the finishing and coatings industries will run concurrently.

Industrial Heating Breakout Session Topics Include:

  • Opportunities & Threats in the ThermProcess Industry Tim Lee, Honeywell Thermal Solutions
  • OEM Perspective on the ThermProcess Industry, Chad Spore, John Deere
  • Risk Management Strategies for Industrial Combustion Systems, Chris Della Mora, HUB International Risk Services
  • Cutting Edge Trends: A Consultants Panel Looks at the Future, Madhu Chatterjee, AAT Metallurgical Services; Thomas Wingens, Wingens International Industry Consultancy; John Young, Young Metallurgical Consulting

Why I’m Attending:

Mike Stowe, Senior Energy Engineer, Advanced Energy

“ITPS provides a unique opportunity to hear a combination of leadership, business, and technical aspects from the leaders of the process heating industry. Company executives, technology leaders, and operations managers can all benefit from the high-level industry insights at this event.  In addition, it is an excellent opportunity for networking with business leaders across the thermal processing industry.  I would not miss it.”

Mike Stowe, Senior Energy Engineer, Advanced Energy

Industrial Finishing & Coatings Breakout Session Topics Include:

  • Opportunities & Threats in the Finishing Industry, Speaker to be Announced
  • OEM Perspective on the Finishing Industry, Mark Prehar, AGCO; Anteneh Kebbede, GE Global Research; Chris Misorski, Mercury Marine
  • Finishing Economics, Michael Guckes, Gardner Intelligence
  • Benchmarking Your Finishing Operation: Steps to Improve efficiencies & Profits, Tim Pennington, Products Finishing

Why I’m Attending:

“IFCS offers attendees exclusive access to some of the leading OEM’s within manufacturing and provides excellent insight to future trends within industries that impact the industrial finishing markets. If you’re an owner or leader within your respective company, this is a must-attend event.”

Todd Luciano, Publisher, Products Finishing

[button link=”www.itps-ifcs.com” size=”default” icon=”Select a Icon” side=”right” target=”blank” color=”b70900″ textcolor=”ffffff”]Register Now[/button] Save 25% with promo code ED25C.

Registration discounts are available for IHEA, CCAI, MTI, CECOF, JIFMA, VDMA, Electrocoat Association and WiM members.

For complete Summit information, including hotel reservations and to register, visit www.itps-ifcs.com; call 941-373-1830 with questions.

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Seven Types of Annealing, and Why Bearing Manufacturers Should Turn to Spheroidization

/ ANNEALING TECHNICAL CONTENT, FEATURED NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT

Sources: Machine Manufacturing; Knergize.com

Heat treating more often than not includes the process of annealing in order to induce precise softness; to alter ductility, strength, or properties; or to produce a definite microstructure. Because of the wide variety of steels and metal alloys, it is important for heat treaters to match the correct annealing process with the steel grade and to the application of the parts being treated.

Machine Manufacturing has provided a summary of the annealing process and listed seven types of annealing, describing the process and the objectives for each. Included in the list are:

  1. Complete Annealing
  2. Isothermal Annealing
  3. Incomplete Annealing
  4. Spherification Annealing
  5. Diffusion, or Uniform, Annealing
  6. Stress Relief Annealing
  7. Recrystalization Annealing

Read more: "What Is Annealing and 7 Types of Annealing Process"

 

Dr. S.B. Sarkar

And to take the analysis into more specific types of annealing, over at Knergize.com, Dr. S.B. Sarkar discusses Spheroidized Annealing and its benefit to bearing manufacturers, describing the metallurgical science behind the process, noting the need to adhere to international standards and specifications, and addressing equipment management and quality control of the process.

Read more: "Why Spheroidised Annealing of Bearing Steel Is Important for Manufacturing Good Quality Bearings"

 

Photo credit

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PA Group Expands Metals & Minerals Division with Acquisition of U.K. Firm

/ ENERGY HEAT TREAT

A global engineered products and services company serving the worldwide steel, railway and energy sectors announced recently announced the acquisition of a machining manufacturer based in Chesterfield, England.

Nick Grasberger, Harsco president and CEO

Harsco Corporation, headquartered in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, acquired ALTEK for a purchase price of approximately $60 million (£45 million).

The cost-efficient recovery of metal and other valuable materials – and environmentally-safe solutions for residual waste materials – are increasingly important to the aluminum industry. ALTEK’s products and technologies address these and other operating challenges, according to Harsco’s official announcement of the acquisition.

“We are optimistic about ALTEK’s growth potential within our Metals & Minerals business. This acquisition reflects our success in building a strong foundation in Metals & Minerals and our confidence in the leadership team to execute against its operating and strategic growth priorities. ALTEK is M&M’s first acquisition in more than a decade, representing another step to accelerate our growth,” said Nick Grasberger, Harsco president and CEO.

Alan Peel, managing director of ALTEK

“This acquisition is a very positive step forward for ALTEK, providing the company with a strong financial owner and industry leader which is committed to supporting ALTEK’s growth and innovation strategy,” said Alan Peel, managing director of ALTEK. “With Harsco’s extensive international presence and company infrastructure, Harsco will greatly enhance the ability of ALTEK to provide service and support to its international customer base. This will be particularly helpful as we commercialize our latest technology AluSalt around the world. With very similar and aligned values between the two companies, all of this will provide for a very exciting future for ALTEK with Harsco and the customers we serve within the aluminum industry.”

 

 

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French, Russian Framework Agreement to Re-Engine Fire-Fighting Aircraft

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT, AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS

A French tier 1 aerospace and defense supplier recently signed a framework agreement with a Russian aircraft engine manufacturer to re-engine a groundbreaking, multi-role fire-fighting aircraft, with mission capabilities including maritime surveillance, wildfire-fighting, passenger transport and humanitarian relief.

Safran Aircraft Engines of France and UEC Saturn of Russia signed the agreement concerning a re-engined version of the Beriev Be-200 fire-fighting aircraft using the SaM146 engine. The SaM146 turbofan engine was developed and is produced by the two aero-engine manufacturers through their 50/50 joint company, PowerJet.

The Beriev Be-200 is the first aircraft of this type to be fitted with two jet engines located over the wings to reduce the risks of water projection.

“We are delighted to contribute to this project, clearly reflecting our ongoing commitment to bolstering collaboration with the Russian aviation industry, a collaboration that started some twenty years ago,” said Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran Aircraft Engines. “Safran Aircraft Engines produces the SaM146 core, and this engine symbolizes the full value of our industrial partnership, one that we are very pleased to further develop with this new agreement on the Beriev Be-200.”

“This partnership is a new opportunity to develop our synergies with Safran Aircraft Engines,” said Alexander Artyukhov, Director General of UEC. “Along with our French partner, we have defined a very clear roadmap, allowing us to start the development of a new version of the SaM146 that will meet the requirements of the Beriev-200.”

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IHEA Monthly Economic Indices: 8 Up; 4 Down

/ FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT ECONOMIC NEWS

Steel consumption, somewhat counter-intuitively, took a significant jump in April despite rising prices.

The rising price of steel along with three other negative moving indices were the only four downward-moving indices in May according to the authoritative monthly report issued by North America’s leading thermal processing equipment manufacturing association, the Industrial Heating Equipment Association (www.ihea.org).

Another negative indicator was the metal price index which reports on aluminum (up slightly), copper (steady), nickel (up slightly), and gold (steady). Given the anticipated and now-imposed steel and aluminum tariffs, it is uncertain what will happen to aluminum and steel prices although the report suggests that steel consumption was up not so much due to demand, but in anticipation of future shortages resulting from tariffs.

The PMI saw its fourth straight monthly decline.

Positive indices included industrial capacity utilization, new home starts, capital expenditures, and durable goods shipments.

Each month, the report details the movements and rationale behind 11-14 metal industry-specific indices. The full report is available to IHEA member companies.

To inquire about the full report, please contact Anne Goyer, Executive Director of IHEA by clicking here.

Ann Goyer, Executive Director of IHEA
Ann Goyer, Executive Director of IHEA

 

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2nd Anniversary for “Heat Treat Today” — and the Thanks Goes to You

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

A Special Message from Doug Glenn, Publisher

We have two years under our belt and what a blast we’re having helping manufacturers with in-house heat treat departments, especially those in the aerospace, automotive, medical, and energy sectors, stay up-to-date on the latest heat treating technology, tips, tricks, and news. As we celebrate this 2nd anniversary, it is appropriate to express our sincere thanks to a number of people.

First, thank you to the following companies for having faith in Heat Treat Today to carry their marketing message to the heat treat marketplace:

There are several industry veterans who have helped us procure content that appeals to and serves our in-house heat treating audience. I’d like to express a special thanks to:

I am also thankful to one other unnamed company who has been very supportive and patient as we’ve built Heat Treat Today. They’ve done so in large part quite sacrificially. I am sincerely indebted to this company and especially to the top management team there for their moral and selfless support.

I’d also like to thank the Heat Treat Today team:

  • Mary Glenn, also known as the lovely and gracious Mrs. Glenn (my wife), who has served in multiple roles during the last two years — editor and audience development among them. Thank you, Mary, for your invaluable support!
  • Brandon Glenn, who is not my son even though he looks very much like he could be. Brandon has been responsible for all the website development and e-newsletter designs, and it is he who makes sure all the correct ads are running on the website each month. (For the record, he’s my brother’s son!)
  • Laura Miller joined our team a year ago as a contributing editor and has very quickly become a cornerstone of our efforts. Laura is the one who provides the daily content. She’s doing a wonderful job. Thank you, Laura.
  • Jonathan Condon, a very talented young man who attended the same Presbyterian church and does a great job with our Heat Treat Radio podcasts. Jonathan is finishing up college and finds time to produce our podcasts very proficiently.
  • Jonathan’s mother, Kelly Condon, recently joined the team helping with billing and other administrative work. (not pictured)

Doug Glenn, Publisher

Heat Treat Today would not be possible without all of the above advertisers, industry veterans, and team members. A big 2nd anniversary “thank you” to all. And it should not go without saying that all of us at Heat Treat Today are thankful to God for his blessings as we’ve navigated these first two years. Anything good we’ve done is really His fault!! Any mistakes: our fault!

Two years ago there was no Heat Treat Today. Two years ago there was no Heat Treat Radio. Two years ago, there was no Heat Treat Shop. Who knows what the years ahead will bring? Lord willing, we’ll continue to grow in our usefulness to the industry, and more and more in-house heat treaters will find the content and manner of delivery of that content helpful. The fact is, we have a LOT of ideas that we’re currently working on. Keep your eyes on Heat Treat Today. There should be more good stuff coming in the future.

With sincere thanks,

Doug Glenn, Publisher

 

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Medical Devices Manufacturer Modernizes Furnaces with Process Control Upgrades

/ FEATURED NEWS, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT NEWS

A medical implants manufacturer recently modernized three vacuum furnaces at its Memphis, Tennessee, facility, with process control upgrades from a provider of industrial process control and automation to heat treatment and combustion markets.

Orchid Orthopedic Solutions (Orchid Memphis) commissioned the upgraded process controls from United Process Controls (UPC), headquartered in West Chester, Ohio, for Ipsen VFS vacuum furnaces, retrofitting two furnaces with replacement controls and a total control system replacement for the third furnace. Orchid Memphis was contending with underperforming controls that were compromising furnace efficacy, productivity, and uptime. Additionally, insufficient automation made it harder to push towards a paperless approach to reporting, traceability, and diagnostics.

All systems feature Protherm 700 controllers, and soft start panels were introduced to help lower energy costs during quenching. The upgraded systems also include chart recording and recipe control, the latter of which incorporates specific programming for automatic leak test cycles and guaranteed soak for medical industry requirements – tasks that were previously monitored and recorded manually. The improvements also make it easier for Orchid Memphis to streamline its maintenance process and manage maintenance tasks. This way, leak-up rates, events, and alarms are automatically and accurately reported. Moreover, upgrading with new controls and automation ensures that Orchid Memphis meets the more complex and stringent requirements of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for medical implants.

“There was no need to start from scratch,” noted Rob Freeman, UPC services engineer heading the upgrade. “The furnaces were robust, but existing controls needed re-engineering to enhance the flexibility of operations and to meet the specific needs of Orchid Memphis in a cost-effective manner. By maintaining a focus on long-term operations, furnaces were upgraded to new business demands without incurring high upfront costs associated with new assets.”

Another key aspect of the upgrade was SCADA integration leading to unified operations. In the final stage of the project, the furnace controls were connected to the Protherm 9800 automation platform, which is configured to improve workflow efficiency, optimize furnace utilization, track work orders, and view real-time performance metrics.

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Heat Treatment Toughens Lighting Mount for Rugged Conditions

/ ENERGY HEAT TREAT

Heat treating aluminum has added to the strength and durability of a new skid-mounted hydraulic megatower light plant which is being used in mining and oil field applications.

Industrial lighting manufacturer Larson Electronics LLC, based in Kemp, Texas, announced the release of the 7-stage hydraulic light plant (the LM-SMWB-HLM65-16X500LTL-LED-480V) for use wherever a rugged, mobile, full-power lighting system capable of extended operation is needed. The mobile megatower is built to survive the roughest environments, with the light boom constructed of heat treated aluminum with a powder coated finish.

“We specifically over-engineered this hydraulic megatower to survive the roughest working conditions,” said Rob Bresnahan, CEO of Larson Electronics LLC. “In the mining and oil industries specifically, functioning mobile towers are highly valuable but need to be able to withstand the extreme environments – this one will do just that and more.”

 

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