Heat Treat Radio #3: Metallurgical Posterchildren: Anastasios Gavras
Heat Treat Radio #3: Metallurgical Posterchildren: Anastasios Gavras Read More »
Linde Improves Additive Manufacturing
Pierre Forêt – GDC Additive Manufacturing bei The Linde Group
Linde Gases, a division of The Linde Group, today announced the launch of ADDvance™ O precision, the first-of- its-kind measuring and analysis unit which will enable metal additive manufacturers to analyse and control more precisely the level of oxygen (O) and humidity present in the printer chamber.
The new technology, developed in response to a need identified by aerospace company Airbus Group Innovations, can detect O levels up to 10 parts per million (ppm) within the printer chamber and then modify the gas atmosphere by adjusting the level of argon or nitrogen. The presence of too much oxygen or humidity can present a challenge to additive manufacturers as it can negatively impact the quality and performance of the item being printed. In addition to ADDvanceTM O precision allowing for more accurate levels of oxygen and humidity, it does so without cross-sensitivity effects and ensures a constant level of oxygen during the process.
The launch of ADDvance™ O precision comes on the back of Linde’s recent opening of a dedicated industrial gases laboratory for additive manufacturing in Unterschleissheim, near Munich, Germany. The focus of the laboratory is to research the effect of different atmospheric gases and gas mixtures on the different metal powders used in additive manufacturing in order to optimise the various layering processes. Reproducibility is one of the most important parameters for industries requiring strict consistency in end product, such as the aerospace and automotive industries. ADDvanceTM O precision is an effective solution to improve reproducibility and through its new research facility Linde will continue to lead research into how oxygen and humidity impact the additive manufacturing process.
“Linde has always played a leading role in developing new technologies for our customers in order to improve the efficiency of their production processes and quality of output,” said Pierre Forêt, responsible for additive manufacturing R&D at Linde.
The additive manufacturing process operates within a closed chamber filled with high purity inert gas such as argon or nitrogen. However, impurities due to incomplete purging, small machine leakages and metal powder can have an influence on the oxygen level. A variation in oxygen content in the chamber can result in differences in mechanical properties or chemical composition of the end product – for example a decrease in fatigue resistance.
Linde Improves Additive Manufacturing Read More »
Solar Atmospheres in South Carolina Now Nadcap Approved
Solar Atmospheres Southeast has successfully completed its first round of surveillance audits for maintaining its AS9100 and Nadcap accreditations. Solar also expanded its scope of Nadcap approval to include Low Pressure Vacuum Carburizing to meet growing aerospace carburizing needs in the Southeast US.
Steve Prout, President of Solar Atmospheres Southeast states: “We are proud to be taking this next step in our start up plan to be able to offer Low Pressure Vacuum Carburizing services alongside the rest of our Nadcap approved scope of thermal processing capabilities. We are excited that once again we are able to offer the Southeast US another regional option for aerospace processing that did not exist previously.”
With thermal processing in furnaces ranging from those suited for small lots and development cycles to a 6-1/2 foot diameter by 24 foot long vacuum chamber capable of processing up to 50,000 lbs at 2400°F, Solar Atmospheres is backed by AS9100 and Nadcap quality systems to provide our customers the confidence that their product is being processed appropriately.
Solar Atmospheres in South Carolina Now Nadcap Approved Read More »
New MB Aerospace Technologies (Poland) to Focus on Heat Treating Processes
International aerospace engineering group MB Aerospace has completed the acquisition of Vac Aero (Poland) from its Canadian parent company Vac Aero International.
The business, which employs over 100 employees at two sites in Kalisz (central Poland) and Rzeszow (south-east Poland), specializes in providing protective and performance enhancing coatings for aero-engine and industrial gas turbine components. These OEM licensed and proprietary coatings provide wear, corrosion and heat resistance properties across performance critical compressor, combustor and turbine components. Since the company was founded in 2003, it has developed an extensive range of special process capabilities including heat treatment and vacuum brazing, vacuum carburizing, air plasma spray (APS) and high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) protective coatings, as well as corrosion and oxidation resistant paint coatings. The former Vac Aero subsidiary will continue to serve key customers in Europe including UTC, Pratt & Whitney and Siemens.
The business will remain at its two current sites and will be immediately rebranded as MB Aerospace Technologies (Poland). In order to support the existing customer base and growing aerospace market in Eastern Europe, MB Aerospace is planning to invest across the business with particular focus on its surface coating services, including thermal and plasma coatings and a range of paint capabilities, as well as heat treatment and brazing processes.
Craig Gallagher, MB Aerospace chief executive officer, said: “We are delighted to acquire the Polish operations of Vac-Aero – now trading as MB Aerospace Technologies (Poland) – as its extensive range of capabilities and skilled employees will help us broaden our offering to existing customers and the expanding aerospace market in Poland and the surrounding industrial areas of Western and Eastern Europe.
“With thermal and plasma coating capabilities now available to us in the region, we can provide customers with fast, responsive lead times for aero-engine and industrial gas turbine component treatments, whilst mitigating the logistics, and cost, of shipping products long distances to have such critical work done.”
Dave Farmery, managing director of MB Aerospace Poland, added: “We have inherited a well-established and respected business in Poland with highly skilled employees and a wide range of customer approvals. Working closely with the existing team, we will invest heavily to provide the local market with the capabilities and capacity required to ensure customers continue to receive a world-class service.”
Tomasz Krążyński, General Manager, of MB Aerospace Technologies (Poland) said: “After more than a decade of growth and success under Vac-Aero we look forward to starting a new chapter within the MB Aerospace family of companies. The acquisition offers a fantastic opportunity for the business and the planned investment will help us establish ourselves as one of the premier providers of thermal processes and surface coating services in Europe.”
New MB Aerospace Technologies (Poland) to Focus on Heat Treating Processes Read More »
Lindberg/MPH Ships Tube Furnaces
Lindberg/MPH announced the shipment of four (4) heavy duty tube furnaces to a leading manufacturer of thermocouples for use in a laboratory to heat treat parts inside tubes. The tube furnaces are easy to operate, utilize an energy efficient design, and provide rapid heat-up rates along with fast cooling and response time. They offer superior radial and linear temperature uniformity and require little or no maintenance.
The four (4) heavy duty tube furnaces have a maximum temperature rating of 1500°C and work chamber of 3” in diameter and 34” in length with removable side panels. Double-end silicon carbide heating elements are mounted above and below the furnace chamber for uniform heating. The chambers are constructed of high-temperature graded insulation. The insulating vestibules at the ends of the heated chambers keep the heat loss to a minimum ensuring even greater temperature uniformity. These tube furnaces provide easy element installation, electrical hook-up, and adjustment.
“These compact tube furnaces offer customers a number of benefits. With a design that is easy to operate while at the same time provides energy efficiency and premium performance, they are the ideal solution for many customers.” –Jason Dobberstein, Inside Sales Manager
Lindberg/MPH Ships Tube Furnaces Read More »
Matalco Now Largest Remelter in North America
Source: Light Metal Age
The Lordstown Casthouse is ready to achieve a billet production milestone of 1 million pounds per day. Read about their new Remelt Facility and the heat treating equipment it contains:
Read More: Matalco Now the Largest Remelter in North America
Matalco Now Largest Remelter in North America Read More »
World’s Largest Commercial Vacuum Furnace Completes Successful First Run
Solar Atmospheres of Western PA, launched into operation its newest and largest vacuum furnace. In its inaugural cycle, the 48-foot furnace successfully vacuum heat treated nickel alloy components while preserving the crucial elements of brightness and cleanliness. The state of the art vacuum furnace has the ability to apply tight pyrometric controls to ± 10° F. The innovative, U.S. patented load car design prevented distortion of the more than 40-foot long tubes. Due to the furnace’s increased efficiency, the total cycle time for this thermal process will be reduced by two days compared to traditional furnace designs. Solar Atmospheres of Western PA is absolutely confident their brand new 48-foot vacuum furnace will consistently surpass customers’ expectations.
World’s Largest Commercial Vacuum Furnace Completes Successful First Run Read More »
Improving Accident Tolerance of Nuclear Fuel with Coated Mo-alloy Cladding
Source: Science Direct – Nuclear Engineering and Technology
The goal of this initiative is to demonstrate the feasibility of developing coated Mo-alloy cladding for LWR fuel cladding to enhance the accident tolerance of fuel rods in several loss of coolant accidents. The target is to demonstrate that coated Mo-alloy cladding can meet: (1) performance and reliability requirements for normal operation; (2) licensing safety requirements during power transients; and (3) significantly enhanced tolerance to severe accidents. A measurable goal is to demonstrate that the coated Mo-alloy cladding can survive in a steam environment at 1,200–1,500°C for at least 24 hours.
Improving Accident Tolerance of Nuclear Fuel with Coated Mo-alloy Cladding Read More »
SMS Group Commissions New Compact Steel Plant of El Marakby Steel
On August 2, 2016, the new compact steel plant of El Marakby Steel in Giza, Egypt, was officially opened with an inaugural ceremony. The electric steelworks supplied by SMS group has an annual capacity of 350,000 tons. It comprises a raw materials handling system, a 45-ton electric arc furnace, a ladle furnace with a transformer rating of 8 MVA + 20 percent and a three-strand billet caster supplied by SMS Concast.
“By producing billets in-house, we create value locally and strengthen our competitiveness by reducing our dependence on hard currencies. Additionally, the new plant allows us to expand our range of steel grades and produce rebars extremely flexibly,” said CEO Hassan El Marakby.
The ceremony was opened by a spokesperson of El Marakby who outlined the beginnings and the history of the factory. Subsequently, in a highly notable speech, CEO Hassan El Marakby explained the reasons for building the new plant and for choosing SMS as supplier. Next, Marcel Fasswald, Member of the Managing Board of SMS group, presented SMS group and its worldwide business activities, and emphasized the good cooperation with El Marakby. The ceremony was also attended by the Egyptian Minister of Industry and several representatives of local authorities. Also delegates of the German and Swiss embassies in Egypt were present during the event.
By producing reinforcing steel in the new compact steel plant, El Marakby is supporting the road network expansion in Egypt. The further development of the Egyptian road infrastructure is closely connected with the expansion of the Suez Canal by a second navigable channel. 3,000 kilometers of newly built roads will facilitate the exchange between the cities and ports in Egypt.
SMS Group Commissions New Compact Steel Plant of El Marakby Steel Read More »
NSK Breaks Ground on New Addition to the Kirihara Building at the Fujisawa Plant
NSK Ltd. (NSK; Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Toshihiro Uchiyama) announced that it held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new addition to the Kirihara Building at the Fujisawa Plant on August 2. The Kirihara Building produces environmentally friendly products such as wind power equipment and uses environmentally responsible production methods.
The Fujisawa Plant was certified under the “Select Kanagawa 100” corporate location support initiative, which was launched in April 2016 by Kanagawa Prefecture.
NSK produces high-quality bearings for industrial machinery in the Shinmei and Kirihara areas of Fujisawa City in Kanagawa Prefecture. The addition to the Kirihara Building will include installation of state-of-art production equipment that will be used to expand production of large bearings. Some equipment will also be transferred from the Shinmei area to the new part of the Kirihara Building under the business continuity plan. These steps will help improve productivity and ensure a stable supply of products.
Plant Overview (Kirihara Building, Fujisawa Plant)
| Location | No.12 Kirihara-machi, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture |
|---|---|
| Construction Commenced | February 2008 |
| Addition to be completed | Summer 2017 |
| Investment in addition and equipment enhancement |
5 billion yen |
| Manufactured products | Large bearings for wind turbines, rail cars, steelmaking equipment, construction equipment, airplanes, and industrial robots |
| Floor space | Before addition:15,000㎡ After addition:Approx. 30,000㎡ |
NSK Breaks Ground on New Addition to the Kirihara Building at the Fujisawa Plant Read More »