Boeing

18 News Chatter To Keep You Current

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 18 news items.

Equipment

  • A Canadian automotive components manufacturer recently expanded its operations with an electrically heated small batch oven to be used for curing arts. The small batch oven was manufactured by Wisconsin Oven, designed to utilize combination airflow to maximum heating rates of 650°F and temperature uniformity.
  • With the successful conversion to a four-stand finishing mill, Henan Yirui New Materials Technology Co, Ltd, officially began production. SMS Group converted an existing hot rolling mill into a tandem finishing mill by adding three new finishing mill stands, developed for refurbishing and integrating components.
  • KALLER, a manufacturer of gas springs and gas hydraulic systems based in Sweden, recently launched its fully automated line of hardening furnaces for surface coatings on gas springs. The hardening systems were supplied by Ipsen International.
Electrically heated small batch oven to be used for curing arts at Canadian automotive components manufacturer.
Source: Wisconsin Oven
Fully automated line of hardening furnaces installed at Kaller
Source: LinkedIn
FAC Signing Ceremony
L-R: Rüdiger Roger Wiechmann, Project Manager at SMS group, with Zheng Guoqiang, Project Manager at Henan Mingtai Aluminium).
Source: SMS Group

Company & Personnel

  • Steve Fuller has joined the team at Nitrex HTS as the new plant general manager at their Michigan location. He brings 45 years of experience in commercial heat treating, machine tool manufacturing, fabrication, quality management, and more.
  • Bobby Boom, Tim Litchauer, and Wade Sholmire, have been added to the Superheat team as business development managers. Wade is the new National BDM, Tim will oversee the Greater Houston Area, and Bobby will manage the Southeast Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas regions.
  • Chris Martin has been promoted to regional sales manager for the Southeast by Ipsen. Chris will be responsible for leading a team of seven that includes six field service engineers and one service administrator.
  • Adam Woelber has been promoted to manager of aftermarket parts and service at AFC-Holcroft.
  • Ethan Castle has been appointed the St. Louis plant manager for Paulo Heat Treating, Brazing, and Metal Finishing, recognized for his leadership, technical capability, and mentoring role, in addition to representing the company within the North American Diecasting Association and National Tooling and Machining Association. Ethan has also been named to Heat Treat Today‘s 40 Under 40 Class of 2024.
  • Gary Doyon has stepped down from his role as CEO of Inductotherm Group, after 15 years in the position and 38 years with the company. Mick Nallen and Satyen Prabhu have taken as co‐leaders at the company, which provides thermal processing technologies. Mr. Doyon will remain actively involved with the company, assisting with specific operational needs of other businesses owned by the Rowan family and pursuing new business avenues and opportunities for the Inductotherm Group.
  • Ipsen USA has launched its Field Service Engineer Academy, designed to be a 20-week in-depth program with classroom training and experience in the field with veteran service technicians. Darci Johnson, program and transformation manager at the company, is leading the implementation of the FSE Academy. Content will focus on the fundamentals of vacuum furnace repair.
  • Industrial furnace equipment manufacturer Gasbarre welcomed Dan Hill as product development manager; he will be based at the company’s Livonia, Michigan, facility. A licensed professional engineer, Dan brings a diverse background in capital equipment, spanning material handling, control systems, boilers and furnaces, combustion systems, and industrial washing/deburring equipment.
  • The U.S. Navy recently selected StandardAero to serve as its engine depot-level repair prime contractor to perform Rolls-Royce T56-A-427A engine MRO services, supporting the Navy’s fleet of E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. The aerospace aftermarket service supplier has also announced that Turkish and European Boeing 737 Operator Corendon Airlines has extended its contract for the support of CFM LEAP-18 engines.
  • Ipsen USA recently announced the formal launch of its Service HUB model, marking a significant shift in how the company delivers customer service and support across the United States. The program has been under the direction of Geoffrey Somary, the company’s global CEO. Currently being led by John Dykstra, chief service officer, the HUBs now provide services across a large portion of the Midwest and Southeastern United States. Lu Chouraki, manager of business development, is leading the implementation of the HUBs.
Steve Fuller
Plant General Manager
Nitrex HTS
Source: Nitrex
Wade Sholmire
National Business Development Manager
Superheat
Source: Superheat
Tim Litchauer
Business Development Manager for the Greater Houston Area
Superheat
Source: Superheat
Bobby Boom
Business Development Manager for Southeast Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas
Superheat
Source: Superheat

Chris Martin
Regional Service Manager for the Southeast
Ipsen
Source: Ipsen
Adam Woelber
Manager of Aftermarket Parts and Service
AFC-Holcroft
Source: AFC-Holcroft
Ethan Castle
St Louis Plant Manager

Source: Paulo
Gary Doyon
Retiring CEO
Inductotherm Group
Source: Inductotherm Group
The launch of Ipsen USA’s Field Service Engineer Academy
Source: Ipsen USA
Dan Hill
Product Development Manager
Gasbarre
Source: Gasbarre

Kudos

  • James Wellborn, gas nitride manager at Advanced Heat Treat Corp, celebrates 25 years with the company.
  • Patricia Miller, director of technical services at Uddeholm, has been named the Technical Committee Member of the Year by North American Die Casting Association (NADCA).
  • Denise Blaubach, who is known as the resident flow meter assembly expert at UPC-Marathon in Wisconsin, recently celebrated 35 years with the company.
  • Constellium today announced it has achieved Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance Standard Certification for all its operations, and for its corporate office in Paris.
  • Sinosteel E&T and Tenova have successfully completed the performance test for the ENERGIRON DRI Plant at the Baosteel Zhanjiang site in China. The sustainable hydrogen-based 1,000,000 tonnes/year ENERGIRON Direct Reduction (DR) plant demonstrated the nominal production of DRI, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and marking a significant step in the green steel industry. 
James Wellborn
Gas Nitride Manager
Advanced Heat Treat Corp
Source: Advanced Heat Treat Corporation
Patricia Miller
Director of Technical Services
Uddeholm
Source: Uddeholm
Denise Blaubach celebrates 35 years at UPC-Marathon
Source: UPC-Marathon
ENERGIRON DRI Plant at the Baosteel Zhanjiang site in China where Sinosteel E&T and Tenova complete performance test
Source: Tenova

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military helicopter against a blue, red and gold colored evening sky; logos of Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing, and Airbus in upper half

Spirit AeroSystems Announces Split Acquisitions by Boeing, Airbus

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, FEATURED NEWS

Spirit AeroSystems, a global manufacturer of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defense platforms, and business/regional jets recently announced it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with The Boeing Company. Additionally, Spirit has agreed to a subsequent agreement in which aerospace manufacturer Airbus acquires certain Spirit assets that serve Airbus programs.

Dave Calhoun
President & CEO
The Boeing Group
Source: Linked In

The $8.3 billion Boeing transaction, expected to close mid-2025, will include all Boeing-related commercial, defense, aftermarket operations, and a commitment to ongoing partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense and Spirit defense operations. Spirit AeroSystems manufactures fuselage structures for the Boeing 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner, among other aircraft programs.

Patrick M. Shanahan
President & CEO
Spirit AeroSystems
Source: U.S. Department of Defense

“This is an opportunity to bring back critical airplane manufacturing work on Boeing airplanes into our factories–where Boeing and Spirit world-class engineers and mechanics can work seamlessly together, focused on a common mission to build safe and quality airplanes for our customers,” said Dave Calhoun, president and CEO of Boeing, in a statement to employees on July 1, 2024.

The Airbus transaction will run concurrently with the closing of Spirit’s acquisition by Boeing and involves the potential acquisition of major activities related to Airbus, notably the production of A350 fuselage sections in Kinston, North Carolina, U.S., and St. Nazaire, France; of the A220’s wings and mid-fuselage in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Casablanca, Morocco; as well as of the A220 pylons in Wichita, Kansas, U.S.

“Bringing Spirit and Boeing together will enable greater integration of both companies’ manufacturing and engineering capabilities, including safety and quality systems,” said Patrick M. Shanahan, president and CEO of Spirit. “We are proud of the part we have played in Airbus’ programs and believe bringing these programs under Airbus ownership will enable greater integration and alignment.”

In taking over those operations, Airbus will pay a nominal $1.00 and will be compensated with $559 million from Spirit AeroSystems.

Related press releases are available in their original form here, here, and here.

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Spirit AeroSystems Announces Split Acquisitions by Boeing, Airbus Read More »

39 Heat Treat News Chatter Items To Keep You Current

/ FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 39 news bites that will help you stay up to date on all things heat treat.

 

Equipment Chatter

  1. The precision forging manufacturer Jiangsu Pacific Precision Forging Company has placed an order with SMS group for a fully automatic MP 3150 eccentric closed-die forging press. Pacific Precision will be able to forge aluminum chassis components on a much larger scale. This new expansion provides Pacific Precision with access to the growing automotive market segment for more lightweight designs.
  2. A commercial heat treater in Mexico purchased a third vacuum furnace from SECO/WARWICK Group.
  3. Ecocat India, a catalyst manufacturer, has ordered an advanced technology vacuum gas cooling furnace from SECO/WARWICK. The system will carry out brazing and annealing processes.
  4. Several new CAB lines have been ordered from SECO/WARWICK to be delivered to manufacturers in China. Two companies specifically chose EV/CAB lines while another manufacturer purchased a CAB line.
  5. SECO/WARWICK delivered two CAB lines and one universal chamber furnace for aluminum brazing to an automotive manufacturer in China. The systems will braze large-size coolers for vehicle batteries.
  6. Oetzbach Edelstahl GmbH, a hardening plant, has purchased a third furnace from SECO/WARWICK.
  7. A Swiss commercial heat treater ordered a brazing furnace to be used for nickel and silver from SECO/WARWICK.
  8. Tenova LOI Thermprocess has completed the production optimization of a new Twin-Chamber Melting Furnace (TCF®) at E-Max Billets in Kerkrade, the Netherlands.
  9. An Asian thread rolling die conglomerate selected a SECO/WARWICK vacuum furnace. The Vector® will be used for vacuum hardening and tempering fastener dies.

Company and Personnel Chatter

  1. Hubbard-Hall has expanded its product offering and customer resources by acquiring the assets of Torch Surface Technologies, a specialty chemical company based in Whitmore Lake, MI.
  2. New simulation software is being launched at CENOS Simulation Software. The application portfolio expands with some new electromagnetic case software apps. The first apps will be launched in Q4 or a little later.
  3. Solar Atmospheres of California announced it has been awarded the approval to process parts for Lockheed Martin (LMCO) owned Sikorsky. The Sikorsky approval adds to the existing LMCO process specifications held for vacuum heat treatment of titanium, nickel alloys, and stainless steel per AMS 2801, AMS 2774, AMS 2759/3, and others.
  4. Nel Hydrogen US, a subsidiary of Nel, has entered into a joint development agreement with General Motors to help accelerate the industrialization of Nel’s proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer platform. The two companies are looking to enable more cost competitive sources of renewable hydrogen.
  5. The Supervisory Board of thyssenkrupp AG extended the appointment of Oliver Burkhard by five years. Burkhard has been a member of the Essen-based group's Executive Board since February 2013, Thyssenkrupp AG director of Labor since April 2013, and additionally CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems since May 2022.
  6. Joe Coleman, cyber security officer of Bluestreak Consulting™, has earned his Cyber AB CMMC Certification as a Registered Practitioner (RP). CMMC is a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) program that applies to Defense Industrial Base (DIB) contractors.
  7. CG Thermal welcomes associate process engineer Signe Laundrup to the Process Systems Group. Laundrup is a 2021 chemical engineering graduate from the University of California, San Diego. Her background is in manufacturing and research and design.
  8. Tata Steel signed a memorandum of understanding with SMS Group to reduce carbon emissions at Tata’s integrated steel plants across India.
  9. Two heat treat technology companies integrate: C3 Data’s real-time pyrometry compliance software enables digital uploading of certificate data of all TT Electronics.
  10. Ipsen Japan announced the addition of Mr. Masakazu Kanaka in the role of customer service director. Kanaka is responsible for the growth of all Ipsen Japan customer service business, which includes retrofits, parts, and service. He will oversee the aftermarket sales team and field service engineers.
  11. Solar Atmospheres of California announced Honeywell approval to heat treat austenitic steels, martensitic steels, pH steels, tool steels, nickel alloys, cobalt alloys, titanium alloys, and magnetic alloys.
  12. Aluplast – ZTG, an Altest company, recently expanded its production capacity with a second Nitrex nitriding system. The second furnace, a model N-EXT-612, is capable of processing a load of extrusion dies weighing up to 1300lbs.
  13. Solar Atmospheres of Michigan is pleased to announce the addition of Chris Molencupp as their new sales manager.
  14. Metal Exchange Corporation announced that Matt Rohm, current President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), will be promoted to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Metal Exchange Corporation effective January 1, 2023. At that time, current CEO Rick Merluzzi will assume the title of executive vice chairman, serving as an advisor to executive chairman, Mike Lefton, on key strategic initiatives for the organization, through the end of 2023.
  15. Quintus Technologies joins the newly opened Application Center at RISE to support further development of additive manufacturing. The AM Center will also include the Quintus press model QIH 15L-2070.
  16. Abbott Furnace Company announced that it has partnered with Obsidian Technical Group for sales and service support across much of the eastern United States.
  17. Robert Roth announced the appointment of Nelson Sanchez as RoMan’s new president, effective January 1, 2023. Sanchez is the first non-family member to hold the office.
  18. Hubbard-Hall hired Aaron Mambrino as chief financial officer. Her expertise lies in driving process changes to create operational synergies, developing strategic partnerships, and LEAN manufacturing.
  19. John Savona, vice president of Americas Manufacturing and Labor Affairs, Ford Blue, will retire on March , after more than 33 years. Bryce Currie will step into the role.
  20. AFC-Holcroft welcomed employees and their families, company retirees, and invited guests to view their newly renovated building as part of an open house.
  21. Solar Atmospheres of California participated in the “Spark of Love” toy drive in coordination with the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
  22. Raytheon Technologies expands Bengaluru operations with opening of Pratt & Whitney India Engineering Center. The facility is co-located with Pratt & Whitney’s India Capability Center and Collins Aerospace engineering and global operations centers.
  23. Lucifer Furnaces in Warrington, PA, a manufacturer of heat treating furnaces and ovens for the last 80 years, has added Brett Wenger to its leadership team as vice president of sales.

 

Kudos Chatter

  1. Global Thermal Solutions celebrates 15 years in Mexico.
  2. Hitchiner Manufacturing receives Nadcap Accreditation.
  3. Ipsen USA announced that 2023 represents a milestone anniversary. This year marks 75 years since Harold Ipsen founded the company.
  4. Desktop Metal is sponsoring on a new season of BattleBots. The completely rebuilt robot is aided by the design freedoms and fast turnaround times of metal 3D printing.
  5. Solar Atmosphere’s Michigan and Western Pennsylvania facilities have recently been awarded Nadcap Merit status for vacuum heat treating and brazing.
  6. In September, the Swiss Steel Group (SSG) held the 1st Hydrogen Symposium at the Henrichshütte Iron and Steel Works in Hattingen. Speakers from academia, business, and politics held lectures in four sessions.
  7. Borikengineers, a team mentored by Pratt & Whitney employees in Puerto Rico, has advanced to the Qualifiers’ Finals Competition in the FIRST Tech Challenge DC Qualifier. The team won the Judges Choice Award.

 

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 sarah@heattreattoday.com.

 

Find heat treating products and services when you search on Heat Treat Buyers Guide.com

 

39 Heat Treat News Chatter Items To Keep You Current Read More »

Canadian Gov’t Provides $9 Million to Aerospace Manufacturer

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT, FEATURED NEWS, OVENS-HIGH-TEMPERATURE

Over $9 million FedDev Ontario investment is helping Cyclone Manufacturing Incorporated (Cyclone) to add a heat treatment oven at its Milton facility, commercialize 1,500 parts, and support 110 jobs at Milton and Mississauga locations.

This investment through the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative, will help Cyclone expand its facilities in all its four locations. The expansions will also include commercialization of 1,500 parts, a temperature-controlled production area at one of its Mississauga facilities, increase the company’s ability to create new and larger aircraft metal parts, and continue to perform sub-assemblies for major OEMs like Bombardier, Boeing, Airbus and Embraer.

MP Adam van Koeverden and MP Rechie Valdez visited Cyclone Manufacturing Incorporated’s (Cyclone) Milton location
Source: Cyclone Manufacturing Inc.

Adam van Koeverden, the Member of Parliament for Milton, along with Rechie Valdez, the Member of Parliament for Mississauga–Streetsville, visited Cyclone at its Milton facility.  “This project will help Cyclone expand in a green way," commented van Koeverden, "supporting 110 local jobs while contributing to the growth of the aerospace sector here in southern Ontario.” 

“Today’s investment will help the company emerge from the pandemic as a key player within the global aerospace supply chain," added Valdez.

Find heat treating products and services when you search on Heat Treat Buyers Guide.com

 

Canadian Gov’t Provides $9 Million to Aerospace Manufacturer Read More »

Boeing Receives Record Order for 787 Dreamliners

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT, FEATURED NEWS


Boeing landed an order for 100 787 Dreamliners from United Airlines. Plans are in place to purchase 100 737 MAX jets, too. Both the 787 and 737 are known to have at least 20% better fuel efficiency than the aircrafts they are to replace.

The deal is the largest 787 order in Boeing's history. The 787 is listed from $248 to $338 million, but it's normal for airlines to negotiate significant discounts. With this acquisition, United Airlines hopes to expand with more international flights.

Boeing will begin deliveries of the Dreamliners in 2024.

Read more and watch a video about the new orders here.

Find heat treating products and services when you search on Heat Treat Buyers Guide.com

 

Boeing Receives Record Order for 787 Dreamliners Read More »

15 Quick Heat Treat News Chatter Items to Keep You Current

/ FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

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

Equipment Chatter

  1. Vacuum and Atmosphere Services (VAS) Ltd., located in the UK, sold a refurbished Ipsen VVFC 60×60.
  2. Graphalloy announces their new Graphalloy® Pillow Block and Flange Block Catalog for high temperature applications.
  3. Heat Treating Services Unlimited, Inc. (HTSU) deployed C3 Data technology to heat treat customers across the United States.

Kyle Favors, President of Heat Treat Services Unlimited, Inc.

Graphalloy® Pillow Block and Flange Block Catalog

 

Personnel Chatter

  1. Alder Moldenhauer, President of Vectorr Industries, an outside sales representative to AFC-Holcroft

    AFC-Holcroft announced the addition of Vectorr Industries to their outside sales representative network. Located in Buffalo, New York, Vectorr Industries will support AFC-Holcroft customers within Western New York, Oregon, Washington, and Canada (excluding Ontario). Adler Moldenhauer is president of the company.

  2. Tom Hart returned to SECO/Vacuum to Product Manager, Vacuum Furnaces, having previously worked at the team as a sales engineer.
  3. Super Systems Inc. announced the movement within the company: Jim Oakes from Vice President of Business Development to President; Bob Fincken to Vice President of Sales for North America; and Steve Thompson, Super Systems President, is moving to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
  4. Andy Martin joins Sales Team at Graphite Metallizing and will be responsible for Australia and New Zealand markets.

  5. Tom Hart, Product Manager, SECO/VACUUM

    Nitrex welcomes Ali Emre Akgunes as its new manufacturer representative in Romania and Turkey. Akgunes brings decades of experience in sales and business development to his new role at Nitrex, where he will lead sales initiatives and guide new business growth for Nitrex and member companies G-M Enterprises and UPC-Marathon.

  6. Solar Manufacturing announced that Aaron Ackerman of Met-Pro, Inc. will assume the role of Sales Representative for Michigan.
  7. Hubbard-Hall Inc. announced the promotion of Ted Saltzman to Business Development Manager and the hiring of Andre Depew as Product Manager of Metal Coloring.

 

Jim Oakes, President, Super Systems, Inc.

Steve Thompson, CEO of Super Systems, Inc.

Bob Finken, Vice President of Sales for North America, Super Systems, Inc.

 

Andy Martin joined Sales Team at Graphite Metallizing

Mr. Ali Emre Akgunes, Nitrex's new manufacturer representative in Romania and Turkey

Aaron Ackerman, Met-Pro, Inc. to assume the role of Sales Representative for Michigan on behalf of Solar Manufacturing

Ted Saltzman, Business Development Manager, Hubbard-Hall

Andre Depew, Product Manager of Metal Coloring, Hubbard-Hall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company Chatter

  1. Peters’ Heat Treating grows its plant operation, moving its headquarters into a newly expanded Meadville, Pennsylvania facility. Read more.
  2. Nitrex Heat Treating Services continues its expansion program at their Aurora, Illinois commercial heat treat facility, located just west of Chicago. Read more.
  3. Solar Atmospheres reaffirms their commitment to safety with new safety features, particularly for calibrations, being implemented to all existing furnaces.
  4. Nitrex announces that they are in Phase II of the Polish facility expansion, indicating that they are on schedule with the foundation complete and framing underway. This expansion will add 21,500 square feet (over 2000 m2) of new space to the existing building, which will double production capacity and support future growth. The expansion project is expected to be complete in Q1 2021.
  5. Kittyhawk Products OR LLC completed the installation of another hot isostatic press with a working zone of 46” x 100".

Ribbon Cutting with the Owners: Doug and Jackie Peters, Diana Wilkosz (VP), and Andy Wilkosz (President)
(photo source: Peters' Heat Treating, Inc.)

Solar Atmospheres reaffirms their commitment to safety.

Nitrex's Polish Facility expands

Kitty Hawk Image 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kittyhawk Image 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kudos Chatter

  1. The US Air Force and Boeing X-37B autonomous spaceplane has won the Robert J. Collier Trophy for the greatest American achievements in aeronautics and astronautics of 2019.
  2. The Grieve Corporation launched an updated website featuring a user-friendly catalogue and ordering system among other new features and enhancements to existing capabilities.

US Air Force and Boeing X-37B autonomous spaceplane won the Robert J. Collier Trophy.

The Grieve Corporation updated its website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 editor@heattreattoday.com

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

Boeing and NASA Glenn Develop Airplane Winglets from Shape Memory Alloys

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

NASA Glenn Research Laboratory in Cleveland, Ohio, has partnered with Boeing to test how shape-memory alloys can be used in deployable vortex generators (VGs), the tiny fins on airplane wings that help control airflow during flight. Currently most VGs on airplanes are static. They are fixed devices always present to improve performance during takeoff, landing, and irregular conditions.

Materials Research Engineer and ASM International’s SMST Society President Dr. Othmane Benafan is part of the team at Glenn developing the shape-memory alloy parts. The alloy pieces are small metal rods that are inserted along the hinge line of a VG where it connects to the aircraft wing. The shape-memory alloy twists as it cools off, which pulls the fin down to lie flat against the wing. Then as the aircraft moves into warmer conditions, the alloy retracts to its original shape, lifting the fin into an upright position.

Dr. Othmane Benafan,
Materials Research Engineer, Glenn Research Team

“There are no heaters, no coolers,” says Dr. Benafan. “The alloys are tuned exactly to environmental temperatures. They sense, and then they do their thing.”

Innovations with shape-memory alloys allow development of VGs that move when they sense a change in the environment, which will make future airplanes capable of adjusting in response to changes in temperature, altitude, and airspeed, just like birds.

Photo Credit for Dr. Benafan’s picture: the Moroccan Times

Boeing and NASA Glenn Develop Airplane Winglets from Shape Memory Alloys Read More »

15 Quick Heat Treat News Chatter Items to Keep You Current

/ FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

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

Personnel and Company Chatter

  • TimkenSteel has announced that Ward J. “Tim” Timken, Jr. has stepped down as CEO and president and as chairman of the TimkenSteel board of directors. Effective immediately, the Board of Directors has appointed Terry L. Dunlap as the company’s interim CEO and president. John P. Reilly, the current lead director of the TimkenSteel board of directors, will immediately assume the role of chairman of the board.
  • Rick Merluzzi has been promoted to the position of CEO at Metal Exchange Corporation. Mike Lefton, current chairman and CEO, will assume the title of executive chairman. Merluzzi oversees all their businesses, including Metal Exchange Trading, Pennex Aluminum Company, Continental Aluminum and Electro Cycle, Inc.
  • Platte River Equity has sold its portfolio company PRV Metals to Tinicum LP. PRV Metals, a leading supplier of specialty forged titanium and high-performance steel products to aerospace, defense, medical, energy, and industrial sectors, operates through two subsidiaries Sierra Alloys and TSI Titanium. 
  • US aviation group Collins Aerospace has extended the contracts for the supply of thrust reverser housings for the engine gondolas of the Airbus A350 XWB and Boeing 787 aircraft. The order includes the delivery of the engine cowlings into the next decade. This contract renewal is a major contribution to strengthening FACC’s position as an international partner in the Engines & Nacelles segment.
  • Bodycote Thermal Processing Inc has announced it will spend $15.3 million to renovate and equip a dilapidated, 58,000-square-foot building in Geddes, New York, to replace the company’s facility that burned down in Van Buren, New York, in 2018. Equipment will be purchased that will allow the company to perform heat treatment processes not currently available in the United States.
  • Element Materials Technology has announced that its new aerospace materials testing laboratory in Shanghai, China, is now open for business. Element confirmed it has completed a number of accreditations including ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and Nadcap, with OEM audits underway. The new laboratory specializes in a comprehensive range of services that include: chemical analysis; fatigue testing; failure investigation; mechanical testing; metallurgical analysis, and on-site testing at client sites. Customers will also benefit from pre-testing services, including a full machine shop and heat treatment furnaces for the treatment of materials prior to testing.
  • Construction is moving forward at a brisk pace at Stack Metallurgical Group‘s new Albany, Oregon site, where the company will offer both Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) and vacuum heat-treating services.

Equipment Chatter

  • Three intelligent waste heat recovery systems have been awarded by Tangshan Zhengfeng Iron & Steel Co., LTD, in Hebei Province, China, to Tenova, a Techint Group company specializing in innovative solutions for the metals and mining industries.
  • A contract to supply on-site nitrogen to Samwha Capacitor’s new multi-layer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) plant being built adjacent to its existing plant in Yongin, South Korea, has been awarded to Air Products. Under the new contract, Air Products will expand its nitrogen capacity to support the increasing demand from Samwha Capacitor’s existing and new plants.
  • Advanced soft magnetic expertise and ultra-efficient electrical components will be provided by Carpenter Technology to multiple OEMs to progress their electric aircraft aspirations.  Carpenter Technology will provide advanced soft magnetic expertise and ultra-efficient electrical components to be used in R&D and demonstrator motors and engines, leading to construction of lighter-weight, longer-lasting electric propulsion systems.
  • Two reheating furnaces to reheat blooms and billets have been delivered to Shijiazhuang Iron & Steel Company within China’s HBIS Group by Fives.

Kudos Chatter

  • Element Materials Technology has been awarded the 2018 Gold Boeing Performance Excellence Award (BPEA) for its Huntington Beach, California, laboratory, while the Element Los Angeles laboratory won Silver. The annual award recognizes superior performance in the highest tiers of Boeing’s supply chain. This is the second year Element Huntington Beach has achieved the Gold award and the first year that Element Los Angeles has achieved Silver status.
  • Plibrico Corporation has awarded employees Joe Feldhacker, a project manager from Plibrico’s Omaha, Nebraska location, and Lou Calderon, refractory CAD designer in the company’s engineering department in Northbrook, Illinois, API 936 Refractory Personnel Certification. Both demonstrated advanced knowledge of installation, inspection, testing and repair of monolithic refractory linings, passing the rigorous API 936 exam administered by the American Petroleum Institute (API), a national trade association representing all facets of the natural gas and oil industry.
  • Spirit AeroSystems was recognised at the Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX) with the Award for Composite Excellence (ACE) in Manufacturing: Material and Process Innovation. Spirit received the award for its development of the Advanced Structures Technology and Revolutionary Architecture (ASTRA) demonstrator aircraft panel, which was displayed at the CAMX conference in Anaheim, California.
  • The 100th nacelle system for Airbus’ A330neo wide-body jetliner has been delivered by Safran Nacelles.

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 Chatter Items to Keep You Current Read More »

Boeing’s Structural Applications Supplier Tests Additive Titanium Alloy for Performance

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT, AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, FEATURED NEWS, TITANIUM PROCESSING NEWS

Building upon their collaboration begun last year, two aerospace titanium and alloy component suppliers recently concluded successful testing for optimizing alloy for performance.

Norsk Titanium (Norsk), which supplies aerospace-grade, additive manufactured, structural titanium components to Tier 1 client such as Boeing, partnered with QuesTek Innovations LLC and printed the additive manufacturer’s custom titanium wire in support of initial material properties testing.

Norsk’s patented Rapid Plasma Deposition™ (RPD™ ) process, which transforms titanium wire into complex components suitable for structural and safety-critical applications, is used in the aerospace industry.  QuesTek, utilizing Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME), has been involved in projects to resolve materials issues across various alloy systems in additive manufacturing (Al, Mg, Cu, Fe, Co, Ni and Ti) to improve component performance by modifying chemical compositions and optimizing the heat treatments, or designing entirely new alloys.

Carl Johnson, Norsk Titanium, Chief Technology Officer

“QuesTek’s high-performance titanium alloy provides an opportunity for Norsk’s customers to optimize components printed with Norsk Titanium’s RPD™ process and opens doors for new applications,” said Norsk Chief Technology Officer Carl Johnson.

Norsk and QuesTek plan to perform additional testing, while working with aircraft and propulsion manufacturers on the improved business case the new alloy affords.

 

 

 

 

(Photo Credit: Handout/Rueters)

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Aerospace Parts Maker Achieves Certification for Heat Treating Aluminum Alloys

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT, AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS

The quality department of a global manufacturer of aerostructures, composites, and metallic components for the aerospace industry recently obtained a new certification for carrying out heat treatment processes of aluminum alloys for Boeing programs.

Sofitec extends its special processes capabilities for American manufacturers with this certification, being able to develop the stretch forming activities included in commissions for aerospace heat treating.

 

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