Manufacturing Heat Treat News

A defense industry manufacturer has purchased an inert atmosphere batch oven for processing stainless steel parts in a reduced oxygen environment to prevent scaling. The furnace is designed to use a nitrogen atmosphere system to reduce surface oxidation of parts and includes a flow meter calibrated for nitrogen and controlled via closed loop to maintain the reduced oxygen level.

Wisconsin Oven Corporation shipped the system, which has a maximum temperature rating of 1,250°F with the capacity to heat and cool approximately 6,000 lbs. of steel per load in an inert atmosphere. The temperature is controlled by a Watlow F4T digital recorder/controller with ethernet communication capabilities. Temperature uniformity of +/- 10°F at 1,000°F and 1,200°F was verified with a nine-point profile test.

The oven features a “CAN” style construction with a heavy plate exterior, a total of six inches of insulation, and an 18-gauge 304 stainless steel interior. To maximize throughput and productivity, the oven is designed with a pneumatically operated vertical lift door and powered load/unload table capable of handling up to 6,000 lbs., along with a water cooling system to reduce the cooling time, to allow for faster production cycles.

“This inert atmosphere oven includes several state-of-the-art features that increase production throughput and provide reduced surface oxidation,” said Mike Grande, vice president of sales at Wisconsin Oven. “These include water cooling to reduce the cooling time at the end of the cycle, closed-loop nitrogen control to prevent nitrogen overconsumption, oxygen and humidity sensors to provide real time data, and an industrial IoT system to connect the unit to the Wisconsin Oven aftermarket team for remote data monitoring and tech support.” 

The press release is available in its original form here.

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A North American furnace manufacturer recently announced plans to increase production capabilities by expanding its Ontario facility. The investment will consist of adding 45,000 square feet of modern manufacturing space as well as 18,000 square feet of office space. Construction is underway and is expected to be complete May of 2025.

CAN-ENG Furnaces International, Ltd., based in Niagara Falls, Ontario, CA, indicated the capacity expansion will be to their Plant #2 Operations in St. Catharines, Ontario. The manufacturing space will be outfitted with fabrication, assembly, and testing equipment to serve the changing needs of the industries they serve with thermal processing equipment, including stamping and fastener companies, electric vehicle and automotive component producers, the iron and steel industries, aluminum foundries, and agricultural, and construction manufacturers.

This expansion will double the current floor space and integrate enhanced overhead lifting capabilities to accommodate larger thermal processing systems being demanded by EV component and battery material processors. Upgrades include the addition of two 30-ton and two 20-ton overhead cranes to accompany the existing units presently in use. Future expansion plans that include foundation and utility upgrades have been considered during the design process.

The press release is available in its original form here.

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Inductotherm Group, which provides thermal processing technologies, has announced a significant leadership transition as part of a planned succession strategy of the company. After 15 years as CEO and 38 years with the company, Gary Doyon has stepped down from his role as CEO, effective July 1, 2024, coinciding with Mick Nallen and Satyen Prabhu taking over as co‐leaders.

Although he is stepping down as CEO, Mr. Doyon will remain actively involved with the company. He will continue to serve as the only non family member on the parent company Board, assisting with specific operational needs of other businesses owned by the Rowan family and pursuing new business avenues and opportunities for the Inductotherm Group.

“We greatly appreciate and thank Gary Doyon for his exceptional leadership over the past 15 years,” said Virginia Rowan Smith, chairman of Inductotherm Group. “As we move forward with our succession plans, we are confident that the new leadership will continue to uphold the high standards and legacy that Gary has established.

“We are pleased to announce that Mick Nallen and Satyen Prabhu have been selected to be co‐leaders,” added Ms. Smith. “This management strategy fits perfectly with the fact that our business is large, growing fast, and becoming wider in product technologies around the world. Mick and Satyen have come up with strong business plans that meet our family’s goal of maintaining a stable, customer‐focused, and technology‐centric business. We have an exciting future ahead of us.”

The unique co-leadership arrangement of Mick Nallen and Satyen Prabhu is designed to leverage their complementary strengths and experiences. In their new roles, they will focus on thought leadership, market comprehension, and a deep understanding of the thermal processing industry’s various sectors. with a goal to preserve the core values and vision of the company’s founder, Henry Rowan.

Under Doyon’s tenure as CEO, Inductotherm Group, which offers advanced technology for the engineering, manufacturing and service of thermal processing equipment used in the melting, heating, heat treating, forging, galvanizing, coating, cutting and welding of metals, has diversified its product offerings. In addition, the company has expanded its global footprint, bringing together 40 companies with 38 manufacturing facilities located in 19 countries under the brands Inductotherm, Inductoheat, Thermatool, Radyne, Consarc, and others.

The press release is available in its original form here.

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Asimco Shuanghuan Piston Ring Co., Ltd. has added a third nitriding system to its heat treating operations, enhancing piston ring production capabilities to serve a range of applications, including the automotive, commercial vehicle, construction machinery, and marine sectors. The compact furnace system was installed in line with two identical systems acquired in 2018 and 2021.

Nitrex installed the latest nitriding system in June, 2024, and Asimco began production in July with a goal to increase its annual production capacity of 180 million pieces and over 4,800 different varieties and specifications. Nitrex’s NITREG®-S stainless steel nitriding technology improves wear resistance, corrosion resistance, fatigue strength, surface hardness, and dimensional stability of piston rings, while reducing friction. These improvements result in better sealing, lower oil consumption, and overall enhanced engine efficiency and durability.

“The addition of the NXK-812 furnace aligns with Asimco Shuanghuan’s objectives to boost production volume and ensure precision and reliability in high-volume manufacturing,” said Tao Liu, sales manager at Nitrex China.

“By incorporating an additional Nitrex system into their operations, Asimco enhances its ability to produce stainless-steel piston rings with superior performance, durability, and reliability. This advanced treatment makes their products exceptionally suited for high-demand engine applications,” said Nikola Dzepina, account executive at Nitrex.

The press release is available in its original form here.

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

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

The press release is available in its original form here.

Featured photo: HIP furnace being lowered into place

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The four heat treat industry-specific economic indicators have been gathered by Heat Treat Today each month since June 2023. In previous months, the economic indicators have mostly fallen in the growth column, with a midsummer “calm” in July when most suppliers to the heat treat industry expected contraction in all four categories. However, this month, suppliers are reporting that they anticipate most indicators to grow in August.

The numbers, which were compiled in the first week of August, show that responding parties expect the economy to experience rebounding growth in three of the four indices, settling in each at their highest point since May. The expectation for growth in number of inquiries reveals the most significant jump over July’s responses. Anticipation for growth is also positive for value of bookings and health of the manufacturing economy, the latter with positive expectations falling just above the “neutral” x-axis, indicated by the number “50.” The size of backlog indicator, though improved over July, remains the indicator suppliers anticipate contraction.

The results from this month’s survey (August) are as follows; numbers above 50 indicate growth, numbers below 50 indicate contraction, and the number 50 indicates no change:

• Anticipated change in the Number of Inquiries from July to August: 57.8
• Anticipated change in Value of Bookings from July to August: 56.1
• Anticipated change in Backlog Size from July to August: 49.3
• Anticipated change in the Health of the Manufacturing Economy from July to August: 50.6

Data for August 2024









The four index numbers are reported monthly by Heat Treat Today and made available on the website. 

Heat Treat Today’s Economic Indicators measure and report on four heat treat industry indices. Each month, approximately 800 individuals who classify themselves as suppliers to the North American heat treat industry receive the survey. Above are the results. Data started being collected in June 2023. If you would like to participate in the monthly survey, please click here to subscribe.

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A melting and holding furnace with a preheat hearth and a maximum temperature rating of 1,450°F (788°C) has been shipped to a manufacturer to increase capacity for processing aluminum parts.

Lindberg/MPH announced the shipment of a gas-fired reverberatory aluminum melting and holding furnace with a total holding capacity of 85,000 lbs based on 155 lbs per cubic ft. of molten aluminum and a melt rate of 10,000 pounds per hour. A full width vertically rising air operated door provides access to load the preheat hearth and a full width cleanout door at the rear allows for unloading.

This melting furnace is designed with an elevated base and bottom mounted magnetic stirring mechanism. An air pressure pump well for dispensing molten aluminum provides the operator with greater ease of use and allows the unit to stand idle over long periods of time such as weekends without having a large temperature differential between the pumper and the furnace.

“This aluminum melting furnace design provides maximum melting efficiency and large capacity. The customer supplied magnetic stirring mechanism helps reduce damaging oxide growth,” said Kelley Shreve, general manager at Lindberg/MPH.

The press release is available in its original form here.

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