Urschel Laboratories, a global manufacturer of precision food-cutting equipment based in Chesterton, Indiana, has placed an order for a new high-capacity vacuum furnace to support its in-house heat treating operations and safeguard production of critical stainless steel components used in its machines. The new equipment is expected to strengthen Urschel’s manufacturing capabilities, reinforcing the performance and reliability of its cutting systems used throughout the food processing industry.
Urschel is replacing an Ipsen MetalMaster furnace originally commissioned in 1986. | Image Credit: Ipsen USAUrschel operates another Ipsen MetalMaster furnace purchased in 2014. | Image Credit: Ipsen USA
The order includes a MetalMaster® HR 54×48 2-bar vacuum furnace, which features 2-bar quench capability and maximum load dimensions of 36x36x48 inches. The system will replace a legacy vacuum furnace that has been in continuous operation since 1986. It is designed to accommodate Urschel’s processing requirements for 400-series stainless steel knife systems.
Supplying the system is Ipsen USA, a long-time partner in thermal processing equipment. This latest order marks Urschel’s sixth vacuum furnace from the supplier, building on a relationship that spans four decades and reflects consistent performance and support. The company currently operates two TITAN® LT6 2-bar furnaces and another MetalMaster HR 54×48 2-bar furnace purchased in 2014, all supporting essential processes such as annealing, tempering, hardening, and brazing of precision components within Urschel’s in-house heat treating facility.
The investment reflects Urschel’s continued focus on operational efficiency and product quality as it serves clients in more than 130 countries worldwide.
Press release is available in its original form here.
PROENERGY, a manufacturer of power-generation equipment and services, has ordered four vacuum furnaces to support operations at its new Houston Center for Excellence in Lifecycle Care. The 455,000-square-foot facility will serve fast-start gas turbine overhauls, maintenance, and onsite repair services, expanding capacity for the power industry.
TITAN vacuum furnaces | Source: Ipsen USAPE6000 LPC Case | Source: PROENERGYPE6000 | Source: PROENERGYJohn Spilker Senior Vice President of Operations PROENERGY
PROENERGY has selected three TITAN series vacuum furnaces and one TurboTreater system supplied by Ipsen USA to equip the Houston operation. “As we expand production of the PE6000 aeroderivative engine, we also needed additional vacuum furnace capacity,” said John Spilker, senior vice president of Operations at PROENERGY.
Ipsen USA will deliver and install one TITAN H2 2-bar vacuum furnace with an 18 x 18 x 24-inch work zone and a 1,000-pound capacity, two TITAN H6 2-bar vacuum furnaces, each with a 36 x 36 x 48-inch work zone and a 3,000-pound capacity, and one TurboTreater model H6672 featuring a 48 x 48 x 72-inch work zone and a 3,500-pound capacity. “Ipsen furnaces have served us well for years in both manufacturing and repairing turbine parts. Based on the accuracy and reliability of these furnaces, we worked closely with the Ipsen team to meet operational requirements, optimize cost, and minimize lead time,” said Spilker.
Press release is available in its original form here.
Heat TreatToday offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 13 news items, featuring Solar Atmosphere‘s all-metal hot zone furnace expansion, Ipsen USA‘s successful reaccreditation of its calibrations lab, Ryerson Holding Corporation and Olympic Steel Inc.’s merger, and more!
Equipment
1. Three aluminum melting furnaces at a Novelis site in Voerde, Germany, were updated to achieve a more than 40% reduction in carbon footprint and significantly lower gas consumption. This project marks an important step forward in the decarbonization of industrial processes. The upgrade includes Fives’ North American® regenerative technology.
2. Two SECO/WARWICK EV/CAB lines will be installed for a major manufacturer of heat exchangers for trucks, passenger cars, and new energy technologies. The furnaces are designed to meet the stringent requirements of the automotive industry for the production of commercial vehicle components. The installation will occur at two in-house heat treat locations for the Chinese manufacturer: one in Mexico and the other in China.
3. Solar Atmospheres expanded its operational capacity with an additional all-metal hot zone furnace. The new system significantly expands the company’s capacity to heat treat highly sensitive materials such as precipitation-hardened stainless steels, nickel-chrome-based superalloys, titanium, and niobium. The new unit is installed at their Hermitage, Pennsylvania facility and will meet the stringent demands of the aerospace and medical industries.
4. Alleima, a manufacturer of steel components and special alloys, will receive a new tube annealing furnace from SECO/WARWICK. The electric atmospheric furnace line is intended for bright annealing of high-alloy tubes and will be used in the production of nuclear applications components. This sale marks the heat treat solutions manufacturer’s 5,000th furnace sale.
5. Tenova HYL, a Tenova company leader in direct reduction, has successfully started up its ENERGIRON Zero-Reformer DR Micro-Module at Empresa Siderúrgica del Mutún, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, producing the first direct reduced iron (DRI) on October 7. This milestone of the contract signed with Sinosteel Equipment and Engineering (a global Chinese EPC contractor specializing in industrial engineering, equipment supply, and turnkey project delivery across the mining, metals, and infrastructure sectors) is a significant step in the companies’ long-standing cooperation.
Aluminum melting furnaces updated for environmental impact2 EV/CAB lines for heat exchanger productionAll-metal hot zone furnace for Solar Atmospheres
Tube annealing system for AlleimaSuccessful start up of ENERGIRON Zero-Reformer DR Micro-Module at Empresa Siderúrgica del Mutún, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Company & Personnel
6. The Atmosphere Group will carry out business for the Region Americas under a new name: Aichelin Americas. Marty Poljan will continue to lead the region as president and CEO of Aichelin Americas. Tracy Dougherty has been promoted to president of Sales & Service and Paul Oleszkiewicz has been promoted to president of Operations. Subsidiaries of the group include AFC-Holcroft, Atmosphere Heat Treating, Inc., Austemper Inc., and Nitrex NTS (Nitrex, G-M Enterprises, and UPC-Marathon).
7. Ryerson Holding Corporation, a value-added processor and distributor of industrial metals, and Olympic Steel, Inc., a U.S. metals service center, announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to merge. The merger will enhance the combined company’s presence as the second-largest North American metals service center and will bring Olympic Steel’s complementary footprint, tempering capabilities, and heat treated product offerings into Ryerson’s network of value-added service centers.
8. Hiperbaric presented on advanced HIP at Formnext.
9. Aalberts surface technologies announced the official opening of a brand-new 12,000 m² surface treatment production hall in Tatabánya. The event was honored by Levente Magyar, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Economic Relations, along with local parliamentarians, partners, and clients.
10. Wirco recognized Chad Haines, projects manager at the company, for 18 years with the company.
Marty Poljan, President & CEO, Aichelin AmericasTracy Dougherty, President of Sales and Service, Aichelin AmericasPaul Oleszkiewicz, President of Operations, Aichelin Americas
Hiperbaric’s HIP 38 press for thermal post processingOliver Jäger, Executive Director, Aalberts surface technologies Chad Haines, Project Manager, Wirco
Kudos
11. Ipsen USA announces the successful ISO/IEC 17025:2017 reaccreditation of its calibrations lab, ensuring continued certification of inspection equipment used by their field service engineers to calibrate heat treating systems across the U.S. and worldwide. The reaccreditation directly supports industries such as aerospace and medical, where calibrated instruments are critical in producing high-precision parts.
12. Global Metal Finishing has successfully passed its Nadcap audit and officially received its Nadcap re-accreditation. In addition, they’ve also obtained their AC7004 Nadcap Aerospace Quality System certification.
13. PhD candidate Noah Kantor and undergraduate research assistant Richard Chen, both from Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Center for Heat Treating Excellence (CHTE), took first place in the annual ASM Strong Bar Competition. Participants were challenged to design a heat treatment for SAE-9254 spring steel aimed at maximizing bend strength.
Ipsen USA’s temperature control calibration lab now accreditedNoah Kantor and Richard Chen representing Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s CHTE
Heat TreatToday offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 10 news items, featuring PlibricoCompany’s new CEO, Pratt and Whitney‘s 100 years in aerospace, Stack Metallurgical Group‘s new cryotherm technology, and more!
Equipment
1. SMS Group and Jiangsu Pacific Precision Forging commissioned a 31.5-MN closed-die forging press for large-scale production of aluminum suspension components.
2. Stack Metallurgical Group in Portland has commissioned a new TRU-CRYOTHERM made by McLaughlin Furnace Group. The addition has a 4000 pound capacity.
3. Mercer Technologies Inc has shipped a MerVac RVF-242436 vacuum furnace. The furnace has a completely remanufactured vessel, with a rebuilt pumping system, hot zone, heating element power supply, and water circulation system.
Forging press to be supplied by SMS GroupCryotherm technology at StackMercer Technologies Inc refurbished furnace
Company & Personnel
4. Rodney Strasser has joined Ipsen USA as the regional service manager for the Southeast Region. Operating out of Atlanta, Georgia, Strasser will be responsible for coordinating and leading a team of Ipsen service technicians that serve Ipsen clients in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida.
5. PlibricoCompany has announced the appointment of John Paul Surdo as president and CEO following the retirement of the longtime president and CEO, Brad Taylor.
6. Delamin Nitriding Salts (DNS), a subsidiary of Parker Netsushori Kogyo of Japan, announced the acquisition of Avion Manufacturing, a leading producer of high-quality stop-off paints, headquartered in Medina, Ohio. This acquisition enhances DNS’s capabilities in providing high quality surface treatment solutions in the heat treatment industry.
Rodney Strasser, Regional Service Manger for Southeast Region, IpsenNew position for John Paul Surdo at Plibrico Acquisition of Avion
Kudos
7. Skuld, LLC celebrated ten years as a company. Their team spent time to celebrate and reminisce as well as to look to the company’s future.
8. Bob Hill, president of Solar Atmospheres, received the MTI Heritage Award. The MTI Heritage Award recognizes an individual’s lifetime commitment and significant contributions to advancing the commercial heat treating industry.
9. Pratt and Whitney celebrated 100 years in the aerospace industry. With over 90,000 engines in service around the globe, they have pushed the boundaries of aviation and human flight.
10. Alleima has met its sustainability targets, which were validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), and are now aligned with the latest climate research. These targets mean that Alleima is reducing its Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions by more than 54% and Scope 3 emissions by 28% by 2030, using 2019 as the base year.
Skuld 10 year celebrationBob Hill recognized with the MTI Heritage AwardCelebrating Pratt and Whitney’s 100 yearsAlleima’s sustainability targets
Heat TreatToday offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 18 news items.
Equipment
Blue M, a global industrial and laboratory ovens manufacturer, has announced the shipment of a stacked mechanical convection oven to be used for non-hazardous curing applications between 570°F and 750°F (300°C and 400°C).
Hammerer Aluminum Industries (HAI) has implemented a Nitrex nitriding system at its facility in Romania, replacing the traditional salt bath nitriding process. The new system has a load capacity of 3,300 lbs (1,500 kg), is designed specifically for treating extrusion dies, and offers controlled nitriding and controlled ferritic nitrocarburizing.
SECO/WARWICK recently completed three transactions: a European manufacturer of modern armament equipment and armaments supplier for NATO acquired a vacuum furnace with gas cooling and a molybdenum heat chamber; a Slovenian manufacturer ordered a vacuum furnace with 15 bar high pressure gas hardening and two nitriding furnaces; and a Turkish company purchased an induction vacuum furnace for melting and obtaining castings designed for manufacturing aviation components.
Blue M’s stacked mechanical convection oven for non-hazardous curing applicationsNitrex nitriding system to replace salt bath nitriding systemVacuum furnace and two nitriding furnaces sent to Slovenian clientSECO Vector vacuum furnace delivered to NATO member
Company & Personnel
Industry veteran Mark Stein was recently added to the Nitrex team as regional sales manager for Michigan territory. In his role, Mark will lead sales initiatives across Michigan, working directly with current and prospective clients to enhance service, optimize growth strategies, and ensure market demands are met.
To mark 175 years of innovation in specialty chemicals and distribution, Hubbard-Hall recently unveiled a new logo and a completely redesigned website. The updates reflect the company’s rich history and ongoing evolution, noting its founding year of 1849.
Bluestreak Compliance, a quality management (QMS) and manufacturing execution system (MES), has hired Rory Godsell as its new Cybersecurity Compliance Specialist to assist clients and their vendors in achieving compliance of NIST 800-171, CMMC and DFARS. He brings expertise in cybersecurity, penetration testing, ethical hacking, digital forensics, cyber operations, and project management, to the company’s mission of advancing CMMC certification services.
Steelhead Technologies, which delivers ERP, MES, and CRM solutions designed to transform job shop manufacturing, recently announced the successful completion of a $12.5M Series B funding round. This brings the company’s total funding to $23 million.
Ipsen USA announced the promotion of two team members to new roles in 2025. Matt Clinite has been promoted to Ipsen USA Sales Director, and Christina Connelly has been promoted to Director of Ipsen Customer Service (ICS) – Parts.
Mark Stein Regional Sales Manager for Michigan Territory NitrexScreenshot of Hubbard-Hall’s new websiteRory Godsell Cybersecurity Compliance Specialist Bluestreak Compliance $12.5M in funding for Steelhead Technologies Matt Clinite Sales Director Ipsen USAChristina Connelly Director of Customer Service (ICS) – Parts Ipsen USA
Kudos
Kanthal, a leader in industrial heating technology, has won the prestigious industry award “E-prize” in the category Energy Optimization for its technology that helps companies and industries transform to a fossil-free production. The award is organized by Sweden’s largest business newspaper, Dagens Industri, and the newspaper, Aktuell Hållbarhet, together with the energy group E.ON.
Aalberts surface technologies honored Olga Kovalenko, Patric Keune and Metin Önal for 25 years of commitment in Solingen. Presenting the certificates were Guido Heijnen, sales director, and plant manager Miguel Rodrigues.
TAV VACUUM FURNACES was recently awarded the title of “Best Performer Enterprise 2024 in the Province of Bergamo.” This prestigious award is reserved for the top 1000 companies in the province.
StandardAero was selected by US-Bangla Airlines, a leading Bangladeshi carrier, to provide OEM-authorized PW127M Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Services. In addition, the company has been chosen by Brazilian Air Force to support PT6A-68C engines powering its A-29 Super Tucano Fleet, it has secured Indian DGCA Approval for its OEM-authorized PW127M Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Services, and it has received CAAC Approval for Its LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B Engine MRO Services, enabling it to support A320neo and B737 MAX operators across China.
HeatTek, a leader in manufacturing ovens and washers, recently celebrated the company’s 25th anniversary, noting its numerous achievements since 1999, including industry accolades, editorial recognition, as well as awards identifying its positive culture as an employer. “We are incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone,” says Jason Plowman, president and 2nd generation owner of HeatTek. “The success we’ve achieved over the past 25 years is a direct result of the hard work and commitment of our employees, the trust of our customers, and the support of our partners. We look forward to continuing our journey of innovation and growth in the years to come.”
Ron Waligora, chief operating officer for AFC-Holcroft, recently announced his retirement date of May 4, 2025. Throughout his 36 years with the company, he moved through the engineering disciplines and eventually into a management role as mechanical engineering manager and later senior engineer manager in 2015. In the spring of 2023, Ron Waligora and Tracy Dougherty assumed the roles of chief operating officers. Upon the announcement of Ron’s retirement, Tracy assumed the role of president and CEO on January 1, 2025.
Aalberts surface technologies is proud to announce they have received the EcoVadis Bronze Medal. The sustainability rating reviews a company’s management of economic, environmental, and social performance, covering different industries, locations, and company sizes contributing to business sustainability on a global scale, and is based on a “best-in-class” approach, assessing whether a company reaches the best possible level for their business activity.
The Divergent team was recently granted the Nadcap12-month Accreditation for the Additive Manufacturing (AM) scope.
Solar AtmospheresGreenville, SC facility announced it has been awarded Parker Aerospace approval.
Brad Stallsmith recently marked his retirement after 43 years of dedicated service at Peters’ Heat Treating. His journey has included starting the Blade Division, mentoring new team members and ensuring high standards in processing.
Nicolai Schaaf, Sustainability Manager at Kanthal, with E-prizeMiguel Rodrigues, Metin Önal, Olga Kovalenko, Patric Keune, and Guido Heijnen, of Aalberts surface technologiesTAV board member Gerolamo Soliveri on the company’s recognition
Jason Plowman President/Owner HeatTekRon Waligora, retiring COO, AFC-HolcroftBrad Stallsmith, retiring after 43 years, Peters’ Heat Treating
Cincinnati Radiator, a manufacturer of radiators and cooling products, recently expanded its production capabilities at its Fairfield, Ohio, facility with the addition of a vacuum aluminum brazing (VAB) furnace. This acquisition will enable the company to perform in-house radiator core brazing.
The VAB furnace, with a weight capacity of up to 2,000 lbs, is the third manufactured and installed by Ipsen.
Prasenjit Ray General Manager Cincinnati Radiator Source: Ipsen
“This furnace has so many recipes for us to use,” said Prasenjit Ray, general manager of Cincinnati Radiator. “We were planning to test it out for two months, but we weren’t expecting to get production-quality within those two months. What shocked and surprised me was that the first cores that came out were perfect. We’ve produced 10 (in the first month) and it runs like a new Cadillac.”
“We knew that we needed a way to make cores here. When customers had to rely on cores processed in China, it could mean a four-month lead time. If we had our own furnace, we could operate a just-in-time production,” said Ray. “We went with John Pease (Ipsen Regional Sales Representative) and Patrick McKenna (Ipsen USA President & CEO) to California to see a company operating two Ipsen VAB furnaces. Our team knew that, once we saw them in operation, we wanted to work with another company within the United States. Ipsen could offer great aftermarket support, and the delivery was worth the wait.”
Main image (left to right): All of Cincinnati Radiator: Abhilash Uppala, Manufacturing Engineer; Prasenjit Ray, General Manager; Michael Petitt, Assistant Operations Manager; and James “Tom” Aynes, Accounting Manager. Source: Ipsen.
The press release is available in its original form here.
Heat TreatToday 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 OvenFully automated line of hardening furnaces installed at Kaller Source: LinkedInFAC 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 TreatToday‘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 HUBmodel, 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: SuperheatTim Litchauer Business Development Manager for the Greater Houston Area Superheat Source: SuperheatBobby Boom Business Development Manager for Southeast Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas Superheat Source: Superheat
Chris Martin Regional Service Manager for the Southeast Ipsen Source: IpsenAdam Woelber Manager of Aftermarket Parts and Service AFC-Holcroft Source: AFC-HolcroftEthan Castle St Louis Plant Manager
Source: PauloGary Doyon Retiring CEO Inductotherm Group Source: Inductotherm Group The launch of Ipsen USA’s Field Service Engineer Academy Source: Ipsen USADan 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: UddeholmDenise Blaubach celebrates 35 years at UPC-Marathon Source: UPC-MarathonENERGIRON DRI Plant at the Baosteel Zhanjiang site in China where Sinosteel E&T and Tenova complete performance test Source: Tenova
Heat treat industry players from across a spectrum of facilities, suppliers, and manufacturing specialties landed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Monday, September 24, 2024, to kick off Heat TreatBoot Camp 2024. Attendees networked, gained new practical knowledge, and participated in a tour of a local commercial heat treating facility. It wasn’t all work; an opportunity to get to know one another at a meet-and-greet reception upon arrival and later on a trip up Pittsburgh’s Duquesne Incline allowed boot campers to relax and connect, balancing work with fun.
A day and a half of sessions led by instructors Doug Glenn, publisher and founder of Heat TreatToday, and Thomas Wingens, president/CEO and founder of WINGENS International Industry Consultancy, brought the 39 trainees up-to-speed on “Processes & Materials,” “Heat Treat Players,” “Latest Heat Treat Developments,” and more. Questions and discussion were encouraged during the formal sessions, and heat treaters had plenty of informal, additional learning time through interactions with each other and the instructors.
At the end of the first day of lectures, nearly all of the attendees boarded a school bus to visit the Duquesne Incline on Mount Washington and enjoy the view of Pittsburgh. Following another day packed with training and resources, attendees had the option to visit Solar Atmospheres in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, to tour the in-house vacuum heat treating and brazing facility.
Ike Okoh Product Engineer Dry Coolers
“I’ve enjoyed talking about the different types of heat processes and the types of furnaces — vacuum and atmosphere air systems,” said Ike Okoh, a product engineer with Dry Coolers, Inc, based in Michigan. “The questions I had before the course started were answered during the course, and the most beautiful part of the program was that it’s not always you get to see CEOs and or business owners in the training sessions with you. It’s wonderful to get to meet them and find out more about them and their companies.
“The instructors, Doug and Thomas, were really nice, went through the course and broke down some of the issues, took questions and answered them,” Okoh added. “All in all, it’s been an enlightening experience.”
“Every group that’s been here is different,” said Glenn. “This group has been really fantastic; it’s an engaging group, and overall, we’ve heard positive feedback that the sessions and networking have been helpful. So, thanks to everyone who has come, and we look forward to seeing others next year.”
Highlights of the Event
Monday evening’s meet-and-greet allowed participants to network and connect.
Days 1 and 2 of instruction from Doug Glenn and Thomas WingensField trip to Pittsburgh’s Duquesne Incline after Day 1 of instructionHTBC 2024 team and attendees
Keep your eyes open for your invitation to join us in 2025 for our fourth year of training up heat treaters of the future. Be sure to register early and bring friend and coworkers!
Heat Treat Todayoffers 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
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.
A commercial heat treater in Mexico purchased a third vacuum furnace from SECO/WARWICKGroup.
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.
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.
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.
Oetzbach Edelstahl GmbH, a hardening plant, has purchased a third furnace from SECO/WARWICK.
A Swiss commercial heat treater ordered a brazing furnace to be used for nickel and silver from SECO/WARWICK.
Tenova LOI Thermprocess has completed the production optimization of a new Twin-Chamber Melting Furnace (TCF®) at E-Max Billets in Kerkrade, the Netherlands.
An Asian thread rolling die conglomerate selected a SECO/WARWICK vacuum furnace. The Vector® will be used for vacuum hardening and tempering fastener dies.
Vacuum furnace for heat treater in Mexico
SECO/WARWICK vacuum gas cooling furnace for Ecocat India
Box furnace for a manufacturer
Brazing furnaces for automotive manufacturer in China
3rd furnace for Oetzbach Edelstahl from SECO/WARWICK
SECO/WARWICK\’s brazing furnace for Swiss heat treater
TCFR for aluminum scrap recycling
Heat treated flat thread rolling dies
Company and Personnel Chatter
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Supervisory Board of thyssenkrupp AGextended 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.
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.
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.
Tata Steel signed a memorandum of understanding with SMSGroup to reduce carbon emissions at Tata’s integrated steel plants across India.
Two heat treat technology companies integrate: C3 Data’s real-time pyrometry compliance software enables digital uploading of certificate data of all TT Electronics.
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.
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.
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.
Solar Atmospheres of Michigan is pleased to announce the addition of Chris Molencupp as their new sales manager.
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.
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.
Abbott Furnace Company announced that it has partnered with Obsidian Technical Group for sales and service support across much of the eastern United States.
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.
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.
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.
AFC-Holcroft welcomed employees and their families, company retirees, and invited guests to view their newly renovated building as part of an open house.
Solar Atmospheres of California participated in the “Spark of Love” toy drive in coordination with the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
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.
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.
Signe Laundrup, CG Thermal
Tata Steel and SMS Group to reduce carbon emissions
Mr. Masakazu Kanaka, customer service director, Ipsen Japan
Matt Rohm, CEO, Metal Exchange Corporation
Nelson Sanchez, new president of RoMan Manufacturing
Bill Disler, President & CEO of AFC-Holcroft, during the open house
Christmas toys for kids in Southern CA
Opening of Pratt & Whitney\’s India Engineering Center
Brett Wenger new vice president of sales at Lucifer Furnaces
Kudos Chatter
Global Thermal Solutions celebrates 15 years in Mexico.
Ipsen USA announced that 2023 represents a milestone anniversary. This year marks 75 years since Harold Ipsen founded the company.
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.
Solar Atmosphere’s Michigan and Western Pennsylvania facilities have recently been awarded Nadcap Merit status for vacuum heat treating and brazing.
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.
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.
Hitchiner Manufacturing Nadcap accredited
SawBlaze on Discovery Channel\’s TV show, \”BattleBots\”
Borikengineers, Judges Choice Award winners
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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Want a free tip? Read some of the top 101 Heat TreatTips that heat treating professionals submitted over the last few years. These handy technical words of wisdom will keep your furnaces in optimum operation and keep you in compliance. If you want more, search for "101 heat treat tips" on the website! This selection features 5 tips all about the hearth of your furnace!
Also, check out Heat TreatResources in the September 2021 magazine to check it out yourself!
Hacksaw Your Hearth!
When loading parts, carefully place the workload on the center of the hearth (front-to-back and side-to-side). Make sure it is stable and no part of the load is close to or touching the heating elements. This can create arcing and damage your parts.
Tip: Once the load is in place, mark the hearth posts with a hacksaw to quickly find the front and back measurements each time.
(Ipsen USA)
TZM Moly Grids
A very commonly observed failure mechanism with a moly post hearth assembly is bending of the moly posts. They will stay fairly straight at the center of the hearth area, but they can distort badly toward the outer sides of the work zone. The outer rows of vertical posts end up leaning away from each other. This is due to the very high linear thermal expansion coefficient of nickel-iron alloy grids (usually 330 SS or Inconel). With a high load on the nickel alloy grid, it is not able to slide on the perpendicular hearth beams as the temperature rises. The outer hearth post rows are forced in an outward direction. The quenching of the furnace load does not reverse all of this effect and over time results in the severe bending of the hearth posts.
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By replacing the stainless steel or nickel alloy grids with a moly or TZM alloy moly grid, which exhibits very low thermal expansion, the hearth life can be increased. For comparison, the figure shows the coefficients of linear thermal expansion for commonly used grid materials. For example, a 36” wide 330 SS grid at 70°F grows to 36.6” wide at 2200°F.
Another significant benefit of TZM moly grids is use at higher furnace process temperatures without the problem of a softened, sagging grid that cannot support the load properly.
(Grammer Vacuum Technologies, Inc.)
How to make thru-process temperature monitoring robot friendly!
In modern rotary hearth furnaces, temperature profiling using trailing thermocouples is impossible as the cables would wind up in the furnace transfer mechanism.
Due to the central robot loading and unloading and elimination of charging racks/baskets the use of a conventional thru-process system would also be a challenge.
Faced with such loading restrictions it is necessary to fit the thermal barrier inside the cavity of the product (engine block shown) and allow automated loading of the complete combined monitoring system and product.
To allow miniaturization of the thermal barrier to fit, but also provide sufficient thermal protection, the use of phased evaporation technology is critical. Such a system allowed BSN Thermoprozesstechnik GmbH in Germany to commission such a furnace accurately and efficiently and thereby optimize settings to not only achieve product quality but ensure energy efficient, cost effective production.
(PhoenixTM)
Hearth Height Adjustment
The available width and height of the work zone in a vacuum furnace with a round hot zone is determined by the elevation placement of the top of the furnace hearth. This distance is determined by the length of the vertical hearth support posts. By having spare, interchangeable hearth post sets of varying lengths, one can extend the work zone width or height as needed. The figure shows a variety of work zone dimensions that are possible with a standard 36” wide x 36” tall typical work zone as an example. The important thing in choosing your work zone shape is to maintain an (approximately) 3” clearance between the elements and the work zone to avoid part to element contact.
Note: With the symmetric shapes of modern, round hot zones there is good reason to expect good temperature uniformity anywhere within the 3” clearance ring shown in Figure 1. If you can build a survey fixture capable of surveying all the space you want to use, you theoretically could use more than just the rectangular space shown in the examples. Getting an auditor to accept the survey is a separate task.
(Grammer Vacuum Technologies, Inc.)
TZM Moly Hearths
In the case of furnaces with all-molybdenum hearths or of graphite hearths with molybdenum (“moly”) support posts, a direct replacement of those moly posts with TZM alloy moly posts will both increase strength of the hearth assembly and eliminate problems with recrystallization-induced embrittlement of the posts. (For an all-moly hearth, replacement of the horizontal load beams with TZM would have a similar benefit.) The comparative strengths vs. temperature of TZM alloy and pure moly are shown in the graph. Whereas at room temperature the strengths are very similar (around 110KSI-120KSI), once you exceed the 2000F recrystallization temperature of pure moly, the difference becomes dramatic. At 2000F the pure moly is about 40% of the strength of TZM alloy. By the time it reaches 2300F the pure moly is only about 25% of the strength of TZM alloy.
Not only is the TZM alloy much stronger than pure moly at temperature, but it also does not suffer from the same embrittlement problems. Pure moly, once it has recrystallized, forms very brittle grain boundaries in its microstructure. Its behavior begins to resemble that of glass. This is the primary mode of failure of moly components in vacuum furnaces – breakage due to intermetallic grain boundary embrittlement. TZM’s recrystallization temperature is around 2500F, and even when it does recrystallize, it forms very fine new grains that still have decent ductility. Hence, we recommend TZM alloy as a replacement for pure moly in all structural applications for vacuum furnaces. It is the “right stuff.”
Note that all metals used in a vacuum furnace, moly and TZM alloy included, will suffer from distortion due to the numerous thermal cycles they experience. Moly hearth beams are a good example. Once distorted moly hearth beams can be very difficult if not impossible to straighten without breaking them. To have any chance at all they must be heated to forging temperatures. TZM hearth beams however, due to their good ductility can often be heated to forging temperatures and successfully straightened. Most heat treating shops scrap out the moly hearth beams rather than even trying to straighten and re-use them. With a TZM hearth the hearth components can typically be re-used with a newly re-lined hot zone saving a large additional expense.
(Grammer Vacuum Technologies, Inc.)
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