Bodycote

10 News Chatter To Keep You Current

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 10 news items.


Equipment

  1. Aichelin recently delivered a vacuum furnace to Bodycote‘s heat treatment and specialist thermal processing plant in Vantaa (Finland). The furnace with a usable space of 600 x 900 x 600 mm and a maximum batch weight of 1,000 kg was tailored to the company’s requirements. In this collaboration between the two companies, Bodycote has selected Aichelin to supply equipment that aligns with its vision for advanced and sustainable vacuum technology for industrial heat treatment.
  2. Two electrically heated two-zone curing conveyor ovens with cool-down sections have expanded the operations of an industrial manufacturer. The ovens, supplied by Wisconsin Oven Corporation, will be used for curing adhesive material between parts.
  3. Gruenberg announced the shipment of an industrial electrically heated cabinet oven to a company that manufactures products for the medical device industry. The furnace will be used for curing material used in the products. 
  4. Qinghai Xigang New Materials Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Xining Special Steel, has signed a contract with SMS group for a PSM380 mill upgrade and technical outsourcing services. The transaction comprises a comprehensive upgrade and related maintenance services for the PSM380 (Precision Sizing Mill) mill used to roll special steel bars and is aimed at enhancing the mill’s production efficiency and product quality. In additional news: Kardemir Karabük Demir Çelik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş has acquired a five-strand combi-continuous caster from SMS Concast, a company of SMS group, to upgrade production capabilities at its its integrated steel plant at the Karabük site in Türkiye. El Marakby Steel, an Egyptian manufacturer of deformed bars and wire rod, is increasing production capacity by contracting SMS to upgrade the existing SMS minimill at its 6th of October site. Baosteel Desheng Stainless Steel Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China Baowu Steel Group, announces the completion of a vacuum oxygen decarburization (VOD) plant by SMS group. The VOD system represents a crucial component of the steel producer’s strategic expansion, designed to enhance the facility’s capacity for producing specialty steels by employing secondary metallurgical processes. SMS group has also completed the automation system upgrade of hot strip mill no. 1 at PT Krakatau Steel (Persero), Tbk. (PTKS) in Cilegon, Indonesia.

Company & Personnel

  1. Ipsen has announced the promotion of Evan Hundley to retrofits manager and the appointment of Lu Chouraki as field service manager. As retrofits manager, Hundley will lead the Retrofits Team to improve response times, streamline pricing and proposals, and provide tailored solutions that extend equipment lifespan and efficiency. As field service manager, Chouraki will oversee all regional service managers and field service engineers, focusing on streamlining processes, improving response times, and enhancing customer support. He will also drive the continued expansion of the company’s HUBs and develop his team into subject matter experts.
  2. Steve Sparkowich has been appointed as the new chief commercial officer (CCO) at Titan International Inc., a manufacturer and recycler of specialty metal products based in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, effective immediately. In his new role as CCO, Steve will oversee the company’s commercial strategy, drive business development, and strengthen relationships with key clients across industries such as aerospace, automotive, energy, semiconductor, and defense.
  3. Thomas Wingens, founder and president of WINGENS CONSULTANTS and an internationally recognized expert in the thermal processing and metallurgy industry, has been named an advisor to the Center for Heat Treating Excellence (CHTE) at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). As industrial advisor to CHTE, Thomas will provide strategic guidance in business development and assist with CHTE’s project research portfolio.
  4. IperionX Limited has announced the appointment of Tony Tripeny as non-executive director and current IperionX non-executive director Lorraine Martin as lead independent director. Mr. Tripeny currently serves as a director at Mesa Laboratories and Origin Materials. Currently serving as president and CEO of the National Safety Council, Ms. Martin is also a director at Kennametal, a global materials science firm.

Kudos

  1. Advanced Heat Treat Corp recognizes the AHT Michigan team members who have completed professional training and earned new certifications: Chad Clark for Practical Approach to Supply Chain Management, Tom Broman for Supervisor Skills 1.0 and 2.0, Jeff Machincinski for Introduction to Pyrometery, and Jesse Hyder for Practical Interpretation of Microstructures.
  2. The OTTO JUNKER Academy has offered a professional training program regarding planning, modernization, operation, repair and maintenance of industrial furnaces for over 10 years. Since 2014, the instruction covers induction melting and heat treatment of metal as well as universal subjects such as economic and energy efficiency.

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Heat Treater Launches Expanded HIP Capacity Production at South Carolina Facility

A U.K.-based thermal processing service provider announced it has begun production at its facility in Greenville, SC, where it recently expanded its hot isostatic pressing (HIP) services. The site houses heat treating operations, EDM, and other capabilities to serve the aerospace, defense, power generation, medical, and general industries.

HIP Product Fabrication – metal part from powder metal
Source: Bodycote

The additional HIP capacity at Bodycote‘s Greenville location was commissioned to service the development and processing of advanced materials for industries situated within the Southeastern U.S. as well as other Bodycote facilities in the supply chain. With HIP capacity now in full production, Bodycote is able to meet the rising demand for highly reliable additive manufacturing post-processing. The company has more than HIP vessels of varying sizes in multiple locations. Processing capability can accommodate components nominally up to 6.5ft in diameter by 12ft high, and weighing over 30,000kg.

The press release is available in its original form here.

Featured photo: HIP furnace being lowered into place



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This Week in Heat Treat Social Media

Welcome to Heat Treat Today’s This Week in Heat Treat Social Media. We’re looking at hot summer events, hot summertime activities, and hot heat treat industry events coming soon to a social media page near you. Check out these posts, podcasts, and videos for a roundup in Heat Treat Social Media.

As you know, there is so much content available on the web that it’s next to impossible to sift through all of the articles and posts that flood our inboxes and notifications on a daily basis. So, Heat Treat Today is here to bring you the latest in compelling, inspiring, and entertaining heat treat news from the different social media venues that you’ve just got to see and read! If you have content that everyone has to see, please send the link to editor@heattreattoday.com.


1. Heat Treating Skateboards > Hot Moves

This space is usually reserved for something rich and technical, but it’s summertime in the northern hemisphere and heat treating is just as essential for the proper working of items affiliated with leisure and outdoor activities as the products that make the world go round (e.g., automotive, aerospace, etc.). “Skateboarding is not just a sport; it’s an art form, a mode of transport, and a way of life for many. But did you know that the metal trucks on a skateboard—those T-shaped pieces that mount the wheels to the deck—are a product of meticulous heat treatment?” (from Bodycote on LinkedIn, November, 2023)

Check out this recent post from Bodycote laying out how critical it is to safety and experience for skateboard trucks to be heat treated with the same level of skill that it takes to execute an ollie or a shuvit.

2. It’s a Beautiful Day in the Heat Treat Neighborhood

What’s everyone been up to on the social channels?

Summer Engineering Institute reshaping the Future of Heat Treating

Future Leaders: Report to the Dome!

Take Us Out to the Old Ballgame!

It may Be Summer but It’s Never Too Early to Think About the Fall

‘Tis also the season for Registration for 2024’s industry events and social media provides an excellent platform for getting the word out. Here are some of the events taking place just in September — don’t delay! Registration is still open for all of these!

Marking Milestones

3. Learn with Us

Sometimes, it’s the small things on social media that grab your attention or give you the “ah ha!” moment. And sometimes things affecting the industry in other places cause us to go “hmm.” Do any of these short posts make you say “eureka”?

Queueing and Sequencing (and more!)

Quiz Time

4. Open Your Ears: The Podcast Corner

You can’t read everything, we get it. Heat Treat Today is here to recommend two informative podcasts to enjoy on your daily commute!

Tune in to Listen to Heat Treat Radio #110! Isolated Heat, the Future of Vacuum Furnaces

smiling bearded man on blue background, HTR 110 logo, isolated heat text

Sharpen your hearing: Heat Treating Knives on the TTT Podcast

5. Junk Food and a Logo Extravaganza

Click through to see what Kowalski Heat Treating thinks about junk food and how that thinking gets them counting logos.

Have a great weekend!


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Bodycote Expands Medical Market Reach with Lake City Heat Treating

Stephen Harris
Group Chief Executive
Bodycote
Source: LinkedIn
HTD Size-PR Logo

Bodycote has announced its acquisition of Lake City Heat Treating, based in Warsaw, Indiana, which was successfully completed on January 19, 2024. The midwestern heat treater is a leading medical market provider of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and vacuum heat treatment services, primarily supplying the orthopedic implant market as well as civil aerospace.

Stephen Harris, group chief executive of Bodycote plc, commented: "This acquisition is an excellent fit, and it allows us to better address the growth opportunities in the medical and aerospace markets." With this acquisition, the heat treater will increase their range of specialist thermal processing and heat treatment solutions available to these industries.

Lake City Heat Treating is forecast to have achieved 2023 full year revenues of around $14m (£11m). The business revenue grew 30% in 2023 and looking ahead is expected to continue to deliver good progress.

Their constant growth reflects the high-quality business that has successfully gained share among distinguished medical and aerospace OEMs. The acquisition fits with Bodycote’s strategy to grow its Specialist Technologies businesses.

This Bodycote press release can be found in its original form here.

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This Week in Heat Treat Social Media


Welcome to Heat Treat Today's This Week in Heat Treat Social Media. You know and we know that there is too much content available on the web, so it’s next to impossible to sift through all of the articles and posts that flood our inboxes and notifications on a daily basis. Today, Heat Treat Today brings you another hot take of the latest compelling, inspiring, and entertaining heat treat chatter from the world of social media.

We're looking at microscopic images, some in-depth heat treat content, a recap of networking opportunities, plus much more!

If you have content that everyone has to see, please send the link to editor@heattreattoday.com.


1. Art or Science?

Through heat treatment, austempered ductile iron (ADI) becomes incredibly strong. For ADI, the material has been austempered such that the matrix is transformed into ausferrite, or a mixture of acicular ferrite and austenite. The image below has been elevated to art-gallery quality with the use of selective color etching.

Images of weld metal, microstructure of coarse-grain zone, microstructure of fine-grain zone, and base material. See how the crystal orientation changes in different zones.


2. All That Chatter

Check out some of the chatter that everyone has been posting on heat treat topics over the last few months.

 

May the 4th

 

Congratulation on the New Role!

Time Will Tell
________________________________________________________
You Will Be Missed!

3.  Bumping Shoulders with Heat Treaters

It's great to connect with other folks in the industry. This past week has been an amazing opportunity to forge new relationships and strengthen old ones at trade shows and expos.

 

Rapid + TCT

 

Ceramics Expo

 

ACT Expo

 

SAMPE 2023


4. The Reading (and Podcast) Corner

Time to take your afternoon coffee and read a few technical articles from around the industry. Got too many things to do? Put on an episode of Heat Treat Radio to enjoy on your commute. Maybe you'll find some "continuing education" time this weekend!

Is there room for creativity in the heat treat shop?

Listen to an interview with Gary Sharp about ion nitriding. Topics include the history of and applications for this particular kind of nitriding.
Dig in a little deeper. Read more about ion nitriding. Hone in on TMS 80 micro alloyed steel with Dr. Rolinski.

Review of quench basics. Click to watch the video below!


5. Sleep Deprived

The excitement of nitriding keeping you awake at night?!

 

Have a great weekend!


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News from Abroad: Mills, Mints, and the Middle East

Heat Treat Today is partnering with two international publications: heat processing, a Vulkan-Verlag GmbH publication that serves mostly the European and Asian heat treat markets, and Furnaces International, a Quartz Business Media publication that primarily serves the English-speaking globe. Through these partnerships, we are sharing the latest news, tech tips, and cutting-edge articles that will serve our audience — manufacturers with in-house heat treat.

In this installment, we look at updates on industry events around the globe, such as mills, mint, and the Middle East.


Mathevon Group and Bodycote Partner for Oil & Gas Industry Solution

Mud rotors for surface coating
Source: Bodycote

“Bodycote has entered into a partnership with Mathevon Group to develop the market in the [Middle East] and, in particular, Saudi Arabia. The agreement brings together Bodycote’s expertise in thermal spray coatings for the oil & gas industry and Mathevon’s knowledge of the production of internal components of gate valves for oil & gas. Mathevon is a world-class provider of safety parts in stainless steel and superalloys, which are subject to severe service applications and has a long history of servicing oil & gas OEM supply chains.”

Read More: “Bodycote to offer new services in the Middle East” at heat-processing.com

 

Recycled Steel from China

Shiu Wing Steel to produce recycled steel
Source: Furnaces International

“Shiu Wing Steel, Hong Kong’s first and only steel-rolling mill, plans to produce recycled steel to meet growing demand created by China’s green ambitions in Hong Kong and other cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) development zone, according to a report by South China Morning Post. The 65-year-old steelmaker plans to build an electric-arc furnace at its plant in Tuen Mun to produce 700kt (kilotons) of recycled steel a year by 2025 and expand its presence in the GBA, Dario Pong, Shiu Wing’s executive director, said in an interview.”

Read More: “Hong Kong’s only steel-rolling mill to produce recycled steel” at furnaces-international.com

 

European Mint Chooses Vacuum Furnace To Harden Dies
for Coins

Vector furnaces to harden the dies
Source: SECO/WARWICK

“This is the eighth mint to choose SECO/WARWICK solutions. The Vector furnaces will be used to harden the dies necessary for the production of coins for both circulation and collector series. Vector vacuum furnaces with 15 Bar high-pressure gas quenching perfectly match the mint’s operating characteristics. Vector enables fast heat treatment while the working space is optimal for the production of dies, coins, medals and orders.”

Read More: “Seco/Warwick’s furnaces chosen by European mint” at heat-processing.com


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This Week in Heat Treat Social Media


Welcome to Heat Treat Today's This Week in Heat Treat Social Media. You know and we know: there is too much content available on the web, and it’s next to impossible to sift through all of the articles and posts that flood our inboxes and notifications on a daily basis. So, Heat Treat Today is here to bring you a hot take of the latest compelling, inspiring, and entertaining heat treat chatter from the world of social media.

Today, check out some posts on everything from a new design to an interactive periodic table to ways to shore up your heat treat knowledge. Don't forget to thank an engineer for Engineer Appreciation Week! 

If you have content that everyone has to see, please send the link to editor@heattreattoday.com.


1. Metal and Medical

Check out a winner from the Metal Powder Industries Federation 2022 PM Design Excellence Awards Competition. This device is used in laparoscopic surgeries! In order to make the curved jaw piece needed for the instrument, the powder metallurgy metal injection molding process was used. Take a look at this piece from all angles with the video below.


2. Continuing Education

Each of these posts brings an educational aspect for you in your heat treat knowledge base. Something new or something to refresh those brain cells, take some learning moments with these posts.

7 Components To Think About with an Industrial Oven Purchase

DFARS Compliance, Free eBook

Preventing Refractory Anchoring System Failures

Advancing 3D Printed Metals with HIP

Interactive Periodic Table 2.0


3. "Molten" Videos

Too hot to handle? We think not. Check out some of these action shots.


4. The Reading (and Podcast) Corner

Time to take your afternoon coffee and read or listen to a few technical pieces from around the industry, or put on an episode of Heat Treat Radio to enjoy as you commute home!

Here's a recent edition from expert Mike Mouilleseaux on underrated heat treat processes.

With a nod to engineering week, this article delves into categorizing things. "Art or Engineering" explores how to think about products, maybe stretching to think differently about labels applied to things.

 


5. Engineer Appreciation Week

Spreading the love this week for the engineers among us. Thanks for everything that you do!

6. Updating the Office Space!

This office model might be something you want to incorporate? Looks like some great spots to go over the heat treat paperwork and take the calls.

Have a great weekend!


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Endings . . . People We Lost

HTD Size-PR LogoBeginnings and endings often come together. As we begin a new year this month, we want to pause to remember a few lives that came to an end. Although the following are by no means the only important endings, Heat Treat Today would like to honor the memory of the following individuals who left their mark in the heat treating world.

This article first appeared in Heat Treat Today's December 2022 Medical and Energy print edition. Feel free to contact Bethany Leone at bethany@heattreattoday.com if you have a question, comment, or any editorial contribution you’d like to submit.


William “Bill” Cleary
Surface Combustion
(1960–2022)

Bill Cleary joined Surface Combustion directly after graduating college and remained with the company through the next 36 years. Working as a mechanical engineer and later as senior sales engineer, Bill was a constant presence at Surface Combustion — always the first person to help and listen.

 

Roger Joseph Fabian
Lindberg & Bodycote
(1940–2022)

Roger Fabian received his B.S. in metallurgical engineering in 1962 and his MBA in 1980 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He began his career with Lindberg Corporation in 1962 as a plant manager at Lindberg’s Boston Division, and in 1964 transferred to the Berlin Division, where he was named chief metallurgist and quality control manager. He was promoted to division manager at Berlin in 1979 and named vice president of Lindberg Heat Treating Company in 1992. When Lindberg was purchased by Bodycote Thermal Processing in 2001, Roger was named Eastern Region sales manager and finally retired in 2010 after 48 years. Roger had many professional accomplishments, including president of ASM International, president of the ASM Heat Treating Society (an affi liate society of ASM International), and was a long-time member of both societies. He also served as a president for the Metal Treating Institute (MTI), and as chairman of the ASM Technical Programming Board. He was instrumental in the development of the Center for Heat Treating Excellence (CHTE) at Worcester Polytechnical Institute and served as director-at-large and industrial liaison. He was known to be always a gentleman and a friend.

 

Klaus Hemsath
Surface Combustion
(1935–2022)

Klaus Hemsath and his family emigrated from Germany in 1967 to begin work at Surface Combustion. To this day, Klaus has over 60 patents to his name in the United States. Among his many accomplishments in the heat treating industry, Klaus founded Indugas, Inc. and wrote several books on climate change. Klaus will be greatly missed by his son, Mark Hemsath (Nitrex), as well as all others in the heat treating industry who knew him.

 

David Soderberg
County Heat Treat
(1951–2022)

With over 45 years of experience in metallurgy, Dave Soderberg had a vast knowledge of nitriding, aluminum solution aging, stress relieving, and other heat treating processes. His expertise especially honed in on aerospace heat treating, where he was appointed the designated supplier quality representative by GE Aerospace Engineering Group. Dave was a skilled metallurgist, able to develop heat treatments according to custom specifications.

 

Jon K. Tabor
Allied Mineral Products
(1933–2022)

After a 65-year career in refractories, Jon Tabor joined Allied Mineral Products in 1970 and helped to build it to the multi-national corporation it is today. Some of John’s accomplishments at Allied were transforming it into an employee-owned company and establishing a manufacturing presence in several countries, including China, South Africa, the Netherlands, and Brazil.

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Heat Treat Q&A: Dodging “Exploding Gas Bubbles”

Source: Bodycote

Let's talk about exploding gas bubbles -- or, perhaps more accurately, cavitation erosion and how cavitation can be prevented. If you're facing surface deterioration, this may be the best of the web article for you!

In this technical summary, you'll learn the basics of cavitation erosion such as the following: what it is, why it happens, what influences it, how to prevent it, and more. The three types of adaptations for prevention are must-reads. Additionally, this article provides a visual aid that supplements a quick breakdown on two different types of cavitation erosion. 

An excerpt:

[blockquote author="" style="1"]Low temperature carburizing or nitrocarburizing offers a solution to enhance mechanical properties without altering the corrosion resistance. These thermo-chemical diffusion processes form meta-stable carbon or nitrogen S-phase while avoiding precipitation of carbides and nitrides that causes sensitization.[/blockquote]

Read more at: "Questions and answers concerning cavitation erosion"


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Heat Treat Provider Increases HIP Capacity in Greenville, SC

HTD Size-PR Logo

Stephen Harris
Bodycote Group Chief Executive
Source: Bodycote

Bodycote, a global thermal processing services provider, is expanding its hot isostatic pressing (HIP) capability in Greenville, SC in the U.S. The two vessels will be online by the end of 2022.

The new HIP capacity will focus on developments in additive manufacturing and advanced materials. This pairs well with the numerous vacuum furnaces and other capabilities at the facility that would support additive manufacturing clients. The Greenville site will serve the aerospace, defense, medical and general industrial customers in the Southeastern region.

"We are pleased to address our customer needs by bringing HIP services closer to their facilities," commented Stephen Harris, Chief Executive at Bodycote Group. "With the largest HIP operational capacity in the world, our continued investment demonstrates Bodycote’s commitment to align resources to serve our customers across North America."


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