European Automotive Market Orders a Continuous T-7 Heat Treatment System

CAN-ENG Furnaces International Limited has been contracted by a European leader in the design and development of Light Weighting Thin Walled Automotive Structural Castings to design, manufacture and commission an automated T7 Heat Treatment System for the processing of high integrity aluminum automotive structural castings. CAN-ENG’s Design was chosen for this new facility as it offers inherent part handling features which reduce floor space requirements and energy consumption while providing predictable mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the casting.

CAN-ENG is a global expert in thermal processing solutions for high pressure die castings (HPDC) and aluminum automotive structural components. The high volume continuous line includes integrated handling systems connected to up/down stream processes. The T-7 system integrates robotic handling, Solution Furnace with CAN-ENG’s Precision Air Quench (PAQ TM) technology, artificial aging system and controls integrating Level II SCADA system. CAN-ENG’s PAQTM system integrates a unique combination of features that have been developed through continuous system improvements and modeling carried out in the over twenty similar systems commissioned in recent years. CAN-ENG’s PAQTM system uniformly delivers controlled quenching processes that provide repeatable and uniform mechanical properties and accurate dimensional results. The system is scheduled to be delivered and commissioned to the EU in third quarter of 2017.

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APT Hiller Orders New Billet Heating Furnace

SMS Group and Apt Hiller GmbH
From left to right: Thomas Brockmann (Head of Technology apt Hiller GmbH), Hans-Uwe Rode (SMS group), Thomas Boddenberg (Managing Director apt Hiller GmbH), Frans Kurvers (Managing Partner apt Group), Toni Herrmann (SMS group).

apt Hiller GmbH headquartered in Monheim, Germany, has meanwhile ordered already the fourth frontloading extrusion press from SMS group. The new extrusion press operates with an extrusion force of 27 MN (2,700 tons) in front-loading design, thus enabling high productivity and product quality. At the Monheim location, it replaces an older 20/22-MN extrusion press of apt Hiller GmbH. At the same time, a new highly effective billet heating furnace will be installed and part of the runout equipment will be newly built. Moreover, the new press is equipped with an “ecoDraulic“ system, an intelligent automatic start-stop system which is able to deactivate unused pumps. By installing a particularly fast hydraulic system shortest idle times can be achieved. Compared to conventional presses, the employment of these energy-efficient components and systems enables energy savings of 25 percent. Hence, the new press at apt Hiller meets the criteria of the distinctive ecoplants mark for especially energy efficient machines of SMS group. “apt Group stands for reliable top quality. In accordance with our slogan “Essential Parts. Essential Partners“, we are pleased to have SMS group as such a reliable partner at our side and we are sure that the forth front-loading press will also satisfy our expectations as regards quality and reliability,“ said Thomas Boddenberg, Managing Director apt Hiller GmbH. On the 27-MN extrusion press line, apt will be producing high-end aluminum profiles primarily applied in the construction and construction product sectors.
The new line will go into operation in the first quarter of 2018.

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Heat Treat Radio #6: Peter Hushek on Reducing TUS Failures

Welcome to another episode of Heat Treat Radio, a periodic podcast where Heat Treat Radio host, Doug Glenn, discusses cutting-edge topics with industry-leading personalities. Below, you can either listen to the podcast by clicking on the audio play button, or you can read an edited version of the transcript. To see a complete list of other Heat Treat Radio episodes, click here.


Audio: Heat Treat Radio: Peter Hushek on Reducing TUS Failures

In this conversation, Heat Treat Radio host, Doug Glenn, interviews Peter Hushek about Virtual Visual Surveys, a new 3D software that will help minimize temperature uniformity survey failures. Listen to Peter’s description of how this innovative new tool can help aerospace heat treaters know what’s going on inside the furnace during a TUS.

Click the play button below to listen.

 

Doug Glenn, Publisher, Heat Treat Today
Doug Glenn, Heat Treat Today publisher and Heat Treat Radio host.

To find other Heat Treat Radio episodes, go to www.heattreattoday.com/radio and look in the list of Heat Treat Radio episodes listed.

 

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Los Angeles and Toronto Host Heat Treat Training Events

One-day seminars will be held in both LA and Toronto this spring to cover heat treat topics such as CQI-9, AMS 2750 E, control of atmospheres during heat treating processes, troubleshooting both heat treat equipment and processes, as well as a recap of the latest technologies used by leading heat treat companies. Improving day-to-day operations, efficiency, and quality will be the focus of these two events,

Los Angeles Event: Thursday, March 16, 2017
Toronto Event: Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Events are produced and sponsored by Super Systems, Inc.

For more information and to register: www.supersystems.com/seminar-signup/

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Sandvik Increases its Presence in Offshore Egypt

Sandvik, a developer and producer of advanced stainless steels, special alloys, titanium and other high-performance materials, has extensively increased its presence in offshore Egypt in 2016, booking several large orders. The total contract values from the orders in 2016 across the scope of supply are in excess of 100 million Euros (107 million USD), which represents a milestone development for Sandvik in the region. This means that Sandvik will provide a comprehensive scope of oil and gas solutions for the ongoing giant gas field developments in the region.

Sandvik has seen double-digit growth in the region over the past three years, and recently established its EMEA Oil and Gas headquarters in Dubai, United Arab Emirates to service major projects happening in the region and to remain in close proximity to regional customers.

The East Mediterranean is brimming with opportunity. For example the recently discovered Zohr offshore field near Egypt, the largest natural gas discovery in the Mediterranean in the last decade, will greatly boost the country’s energy potential. The “super giant” field potentially boasts an estimated 30 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

Phil Cherrie, Regional Sales and Marketing Manager, Oil & Gas, EMEA, Sandvik, said, “Operating in an offshore environment such as the Mediterranean Sea requires materials that are able to withstand the harsh conditions that these operations present. Having been chosen by the operators as well as equipment manufacturers and service providers to provide these solutions serves as testament to the quality of Sandvik’s products and solutions.”

As part of the contracts Sandvik will be providing: Super Duplex steel umbilical tubing; SANICRO 28, a high-alloy, high strength austenitic stainless steel for OCTG downhole production tubing together with alliance partner Tenaris; seamless alloy 625 control line and chemical injection lines encapsulated with tubing encased conductor (TEC lines).

Deliveries of these solutions have already begun in 2016 and will continue on throughout 2017.

According to Phil Cherrie, Egypt and the region continues to be an important market for the company. The company has been active in the region for more than 30 years now and continues to invest actively in people and partnerships to support the wide customer base.

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Big River Steel is World’s First Smart Mill

Source:  Arkansas Online

Big River Steel set a record for the most expensive economic development project ever built in Arkansas, and it continues to set new records in its first months of operation, the mill’s chief executive officer said. Big River Steel is also the world’s first smart mill.

Read More: Grand Opening Today for Big River Steel Mill by David Smith

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Korea Aerospace Industries Awards Contract for Airframe Mounted Accessory Drives

Triumph Group, Inc. was selected by Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd., to provide Airframe Mounted Accessory Drives (AMAD) on the new KF-X fighter aircraft. The contract is in support of the latest generation of the air superiority fighter, which is scheduled to make its first flight in mid-2022 and begin low-rate initial production in 2024. The KF-X program is slated to benefit the Republic of Korea Air Force and the Indonesian Air Force.

“We are pleased to support the KF-X fighter program, which will replace the aging Korean fleet of F-4s and F-5s, as well as equip the Indonesian Air Force,” said Tom Holzthum, executive vice president of Triumph Integrated Systems. “This win will allow Triumph to showcase the extensive capability and experience of our Geared Solutions business.”

Triumph Integrated Systems’ Geared Solutions site in Park City, Utah, will design and produce the AMADs, which receive and distribute engine power to operate generators, pumps and other aircraft systems, and also carry the main engine starter turbine. The AMADs on the KF-X fighter jet will feature the latest innovations in the company’s aircraft accessory gearbox product line.

 

 

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Spectrum Thermal Processing Retrofits with Super System, Inc.

Spectrum Thermal Processing of Cranston, RI continues to update their “State-Of-The-Art Heat Treat” with Super Systems Inc (SSI) control technology.   Building on the technology path and a partnership with SSI, Spectrum recently retrofitted SSI’s Series 9220 Vacuum Controller on a CI Hayes Vacuum Oil Quench furnace.

The new controls provide an easy-to-operate interface that reduces operator error while providing the most sophisticated furnace cycles with complete process traceability.  The standard vacuum retrofit package from SSI includes recipe control, digital data recording, remote configuration/recipe building, touch screen interface and electronic connectivity to the existing SuperDATA SCADA package.

“The vacuum oil quench furnaces are an important part of our operation,” said Richard Houghton  of Spectrum. “SSi has been great to work with as we upgrade our equipment.  Our focus is delivering quality and repeatability throughout all our processes, and maintaining the latest controls and data acquisition technology provides the foundation for making that happen. This is the ninth furnace that we have upgraded using SSi controls, which has vastly improved our ability to automatically control all parameters of the process.”

For the last decade, Super Systems Inc., based in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been developing and manufacturing products for the thermal processing industry. SSi’s products include probes, analyzers, controllers, software solutions and engineered systems. With over 100 years of combined experience, SSi continues to satisfy industry demands with innovative technology, enabling customers to be more efficient and to produce higher quality products.

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Automotive Industry Orders New Pit Furnace

No. 1040 is a 2200°F (1204°C), inert atmosphere pit furnace from Grieve, currently used for heat treating automotive parts in baskets at the customer’s facility. Workspace dimensions of this furnace measure 36” wide x 36” deep x 48” high. 78 KW are installed in heavy gauge, high temperature Kanthal AF alloy wire heating elements of rod overbend design and powered through a low voltage transformer to heat the workload.

This Grieve pit furnace has 11” thick insulated walls comprising 4 ½” thick 2600°F firebrick, 2 ½” thick 2300°F firebrick and 4” 1900°F block insulation, as well as an insulated floor comprising 7” of castable refactory and 4” block insulation. Other features include a ¼” plate steel exterior reinforced with structural steel and an air-operated, rear-hinged door. Inert atmosphere construction includes continuously welded outer shell, high temperature door gasket, sealed heater terminal boxes, inert atmosphere inlet, outlet, flow meter and manual gas valve.

Controls on the No. 1040 include a digital indicating temperature controller, manual reset excess temperature controller with separate contactors and an SCR power controller.

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Grave-to-Gate: Automotive Aluminum Recycling at End-of-Life

  Source:  Light Metal Age February 2017

The demand for aluminum and its alloys is projected to grow by 39% over the next decade in the North American light automotive sector [1]. Aluminum is an attractive material for the transportation industry as it is lightweight and possesses excellent static and dynamic mechanical properties. With the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards mandating reduced fuel consumption, automotive vehicles need to be lighter in weight. However, reducing fuel consumption is only one part of the issue. The reduction of CO2 emissions and energy usage during production is also critical moving forward. By manufacturing aluminum components from secondary material streams, 95% less CO2 is emitted and the energy consumed is reduced by 92% compared to primary production [2-3]. The complete benefit of automotive light-weighting using aluminum cannot be fully achieved without an efficient and effective end-of-life collection and recovery process.

Read more: Grave -to-Gate:  Automotive Aluminum Recycling at End-of-Life by Sean Kelly and Diran Apelian

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