Global Thermal Solutions

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.

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

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

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At Heat Treat Today, we want to make sure everyone in the North American heat treat industry is well informed so they can be happier and make better decisions. With that in mind, we have been growing our library of Spanish heat treating content.

Below, click the blue headings to learn from Víctor Zacarías about pyrometry standards in the aerospace and automotive industries, from Carlos Carrasco about selecting heat treating equipment, from Bill Munn about leadership and motivation, and from Erika Zarazúa about CQI-9’s probe method A. If you’d like to view this content in English, click the America flag icon. 

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Pirometría: la normativa para un Procesamiento Térmico confiable en la Industria Automotriz y Aeroespacial

“Las operaciones de tratamiento térmico son percibidas generalmente como cajas negras cuyos resultados son poco predecibles. Si bien, entendemos los mecanismos físicos involucrados para modificar las propiedades de un material, los hornos de tratamiento térmico son sistemas termodinámicamente imperfectos, y por ende los resultados finales en ocasiones también lo son.”

“Heat treatment operations are generally perceived as black boxes whose results are not very predictable. Although we understand the physical mechanisms involved in modifying the properties of a certain material, heat treatment furnaces are thermodynamically imperfect, and sometimes the final results are too.”

This article first appeared Heat Treat Today’s March 2022 Vacuum Furnace print edition.

Guía para la Selección de Equipos para Tratamiento Térmico

“Este artículo ayuda a los ingenieros a comprar equipos de tratamiento térmico. Hay muchas razones para seleccionar cuidadosamente los hornos industriales. Uno, es el costo del horno en sí y otro, es que el producto que se está tratando térmicamente afectará los resultados de su empresa.”

“There are many reasons to select industrial furnaces carefully. One is the cost of the furnace. Another is realizing heat treating will affect the product and the bottom line. There is more specialized engineering in heat treating equipment than is apparent from the outside.”

This article first appeared in Heat Treat Today’s November 2021 Vacuum Furnace print edition.

Guía para el líder que quiere motivar

Por definición, de aquí se desprende que no se desempeña solo; es más, está posicionado no solo para trabajar en conjunto con otros seres humanos sino también para liderarlos; si su potencial se ha de realizar, puede que ya haya entendido bien que en esas personas reposa la verdadera clave del éxito que a futuro pudiera conseguir ¿Cómo, pues, lograr su compromiso?

By definition, this means that you are not functioning alone. Moreover, you are positioned not only to work with fellow human beings, but to lead them. And if your potential is to be realized, you may already know well that those people are the true key to your future success. So how will you engage them?

This article first appeared in Heat Treat Today’s September 2022 print edition.

Guía para conducir pruebas System Accuracy Tests conforme a CQI-9 4ta. Edición

“Las pruebas SAT deben realizarse a todos los sistemas de control, monitoreo y registro de los equipos de procesamiento térmico. Esto no aplica para los sistemas de ‘alto-límite” cuya única función es la de proteger al horno de un sobre calentamiento.”

“System Accuracy Tests (SATs) must be performed on all control, monitoring, and recording systems of thermal processing equipment. This does not apply to “high limit” systems, whose sole function is to protect the furnace from overheating.”

This article first appeared in Heat Treat Today’s August 2022 Automotive print edition.

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

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We get it. You read all day: emails, memos, furnace monitoring screens. To give your eyes a break, Heat Treat Today wanted to provide some grab and go visual resources. In this original content piece, check out some visuals to help you learn about the difference between Nitriding and FNC; discover how the U.S. is doing in the race to green steel production; and get an example of the type of numbers that are normal for a CQI-9 probe method A test.

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The Numbers Don’t Lie: Green American Steel Is Better than You Think

In Heat Treat Today’s August 2021 Automotive print edition, Lourenco Goncalves, chairman, president, and CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. made a big statement: “The United States is the benchmark of the world in all things steel. Amongst all major steelmaking nations, we have by far the greenest emissions profile.”

In a climate where the United States often gets a bad rap when it comes to environmental concerns, Lourenco’s statement is hard to believe. But, the data below contradicts this bad reputation. Check out the graphic below to learn how the United States stacks up to other countries in steel production.

CQI-9: Understanding Probe Method A

Ensuring heat treating equipment falls within CQI-9 standards can be tricky. According to Erika Zarazúa, regional purchasing manager at Global Thermal Solutions, probe method A may be the best way to identify variations in control systems.

 

If you’re curious about how probe method A works, view the chart below (in both English and Spanish) for an example of the kind of numbers that are typical for this test method.

 

Nitriding vs. FNC . . . What’s the Difference?

These days, it seems like most heat treat shops are updating equipment or changing procedures to accommodate demands for ferritic nitrocarburizing. But how different are the two processes, really? When it comes to materials commonly processed, time cycles involved, and atmospheres required, where does the difference between nitriding and FNC begin? The chart below is a quick and easy guide to distinguishing the difference between these two hardening processes. Skim away or take a deep dive into the technicalities!

About the Authors:

Lourenco Goncalves is chairman, president, and CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. 

Erika Zarazúa, a 40 Under 40 Class of 2021 member, is a metallurgical engineer with over 18 years of experience in heat treatment operations and temperature measurement and has worked in multiple engineering, quality, and project roles in the automotive and aerospace industries. Erika currently holds the position of regional purchasing manager at Global Thermal Solutions.

 Jason Orosz and Mark Hemsath at Nitrex, Thomas Wingens at WINGENS LLC – International Industry Consultancy, and Dan Herring, The Heat Treat Doctor at The HERRING GROUP, Inc., provided expert input for the Nitriding vs. FNC table.

 

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

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The AIAG CQI-9 (Heat Treat System Assessment) is the most accepted standard in the automotive industry for the validation of heat treatment operations. This article summarizes the evaluation requirements and illustrates the benefits of conducting this test to identify variations in control systems using the probe method A.

Read the English translation of this Technical Tuesday article by Erika Zarazúa, regional purchasing manager at Global Thermal Solutions, in the version below, or read both the Spanish and the English translation of the article where it was originally published: Heat Treat Today’s August 2022 Automotive print edition.

“La evaluación CQI-9 (Heat Treat System Assessment) de AIAG es el estándar mas aceptado en la industria automotriz. . . .”

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1. Application

System Accuracy Tests (SATs) must be performed on all control, monitoring, and recording systems of thermal processing equipment. This does not apply to “high limit” systems, whose sole function is to protect the furnace from overheating.

The test thermocouple used for the SAT must meet the accuracy requirements defined by CQI-9 in table P3.1.3 (±1.1°C or ±2°F maximum error). Similarly, table P3.2.1 of the same section defines the requirements for the field test instrument (±0.6°C or ±1°F maximum error).

SATs conducted by “probe method” should be performed quarterly or after any maintenance that could affect the accuracy of the measurement system such as:

• Replacement of lead wire
• Replacement of the control thermocouple
• Replacement of the control/recording instrument

2. Procedure (Probe Method A)

Probe method A is a comparison between the furnace temperature reading and a corrected test temperature reading.

When inserting the test thermocouple, ensure that the tip of the probe is placed as close as possible to the tip of the thermocouple to be tested, and no further than 50mm. Once placed in the test position, it is recommended to allow some time for both systems to reach equilibrium before conducting the test.

If the difference between the furnace temperature reading and corrected reading of the test system exceeds ±10°F (±5°C), then corrective actions must be conducted before processing a product. The most common corrective actions are to replace the control thermocouple, calibrate and adjust the control/recording instrument, or to combine both methods. According to CQI-9, these actions must be documented.

3. Records

CQI-9 revision 4 specifies that the SAT must be documented, and the records must include, at a minimum, the following information:

a. Furnace thermocouple identification
b. Test thermocouple identification
c. Identification of the test instrument
d. Date and time of the test
e. Setpoint value
f. Reading observed in the control system
g. Observed reading on test system
h. Thermocouple and test instrument correction factors
i. Test system corrected reading
j. Difference calculated from the SAT
k. Name and signature of the technician performing the test
l. Company performing the test (if external)
m. ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation of the company (if external)
n. Approval of the person responsible for heat treatment

4. Conclusion

The pyrometry section of CQI-9 lists the requirements and procedures for conducting system accuracy tests (Section P3.3). Within CQI-9, there are two important requirements heat treaters must be aware of. First, the furnace temperature measurement system must not deviate more than ±10°F (±5°C) from the test system. If this is the case, the equipment must not be used for thermal processing and corrective actions must be taken. Second, the SAT report must contain each time this test is conducted. With probe method A, variations in controls systems are easily identifiable.

 

References

[1] CQI-9 Special Process: Heat Treat System Assessment, 4th Edition. Automotive Industry Action Group, 2020.

[2] International Organization for Standardization; ISO/IEC 17025, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, 3rd Edition. International Organization for Standardization, 2017.

(Photo source: Global Thermal Solutions)

 

About the Author: Erika Zarazúa, a 40 Under 40 Class of 2021 member, is a metallurgical engineer with over 18 years of experience in heat treatment operations and temperature measurement and has worked in multiple engineering, quality, and project roles in the automotive and aerospace industries. Erika currently holds the position of regional purchasing manager at Global Thermal Solutions.

Contact Erika: erika@globalthermalsolutions.com

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

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Source: Global Thermal Solutions

The System Accuracy Test is performed on-site to ensure the accuracy of furnace controls and recorders across control zones, comparing the furnace temperature against a separate test instrument.

“It is very important to track the results from these tests since the information changes over time. When conducted properly, this simple test helps the heat treaters to take preventive actions and maintain a reliable temperature system.” ~ Victor Zacarias

The above infographic (reproduced below) demonstrates how often to perform the SAT on furnace controls for processing parts for aerospace applications.

 

 

Read more: “How Often Is the System Accuracy Test Required?”