SECO/WARWICK Group

Strip Casting Systems Support Magnet Production

/ FOUNDRY CASTING NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

New strip casting systems for rare-earth magnet manufacturing are expected to support thermal processing operations tied to neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnet production in the U.S., serving industries including energy, electronics, automotive, and defense. The systems are designed for vacuum metallurgy applications involving high-temperature melting and casting processes used in advanced materials manufacturing.

Image Credit: SECO/WARWICK

Strip is a critical upstream step in the production of NdFeB magnets and other high-performance permanent magnets. The process rapidly solidifies molten alloy into thin strips, forming feedstock that is further processed into high-performance magnets used in electric motors, precision actuators, and other advanced technologies. The equipment, intended for strip casting operations used in the production of rare-earth magnetic materials, is being supplied by Retech, a division of SECO/WARWICK Group focused on vacuum metallurgy and metal processing technologies.

In high-performance magnet applications, precise system atmospheric control, casting cooling rate, and thermal control during solidification directly impact downstream magnetic properties. For this reason, Retech strip casters are designed to provide stable, repeating operating conditions over sustained production cycles.

Earl Good
President
Retech

“Advanced magnet manufacturing depends on precision at every stage of the process,” said Earl Good, president of Retech. “Our strip casting systems are built to provide the rapid cooling rates that achieve the grain structure necessary for producing magnets that maintain superior magnetic properties, even at high temperatures. These systems will support long-term domestic supply growth.”

Retech’s strip casting platforms can be integrated into larger melt and materials handling systems, supporting continuous industrial workflows rather than isolated batch processing. The equipment supplied in this case reflects ongoing investment in domestic magnet production capacity, as manufacturers work to strengthen U.S.-based supply chains for critical materials.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Fringe Friday: US Lab Selects PGA Platform for New Materials Initiative

/ MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, SINTERING POWDER METAL NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

We’re celebrating getting to the “fringe” of the weekend with a Heat Treat Fringe Friday installment: a plasma gas atomization (PGA) platform selected by a U.S. national laboratory highlights how advanced powder production is being developed at pilot scale to bridge research and industrial application in critical materials.

While not exactly heat treat, “Fringe Friday” deals with interesting developments in one of our key markets: aerospace, automotive, medical, energy, or general manufacturing.

A U.S. national laboratory has selected a plasma gas atomization (PGA) platform in support of a critical materials initiative. The pilot-scale program will enable advanced powder development for next-generation materials used in high-performance manufacturing and emerging technologies.

The system will be supplied by Retech, a division of SECO/WARWICK Group. The PGA system is designed to transition processes from validation to broader industrial deployment.

National laboratories play a role in bridging the gap between metallurgical discovery and manufacturable solutions. While early-stage research confirms material properties, pilot-scale systems evaluate process reliability, repeatability, and economic feasibility. The PGA platform aims to address these requirements through controlled processing and scalable parameters.

The system will contribute to strengthening domestic supply chains and reinforcing U.S. technical capabilities in critical materials.

Earl Good
President
Retech
Source: Retech

“National labs are focused not only on proving what’s possible, but on proving what’s practical,” said Earl Good, president of Retech. The PGA platform enables movement from controlled pilot-scale experimentation to production-scale capability. Its design allows processes to be scaled once validated, without requiring significant redesign, he added.

Beyond individual equipment capabilities, the platform is designed for integration with existing lab infrastructure, allowing coordination across operations, maintenance, and training. This enhances cost efficiency while maintaining performance standards.

As demand grows for domestic production of critical materials, the company continues to develop scalable solutions aimed at strengthening supply chains and materials innovation.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Vacuum Casting Expansion Strengthens Turbine Component Manufacturing

/ ENERGY HEAT TREAT NEWS, FOUNDRY CASTING NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

Two vacuum induction melting (VIM) casting systems are being deployed to support the production of components used in power generation turbine manufacturing. The systems are designed to produce advanced alloys with controlled microstructures for components operating under demanding thermal and mechanical conditions.

The equipment, engineered to support both equiaxed (EQ) and directionally solidified (DS) casting processes, will be used in the production of high-performance, nickel-based alloy turbine components. These casting technologies are critical for achieving the structural integrity, thermal resistance, and performance consistency required in modern power generation turbines operating under extreme conditions.

Earl Good
President
Retech

Retech, a U.S.-based company and part of the SECO/WARWICK Group, supplied the two VIM systems. “These systems were designed to build on prior installations while incorporating specific changes requested by the [client] to support their current and future production goals,” said Earl Good, president of Retech. The systems are based on Retech’s core designs but incorporate client-specific modifications, tailoring feeder configurations to align with the client’s established production practices. This enables repeatable casting while maintaining precise thermal and atmospheric control throughout the process.

The order continues a relationship between Retech and the client that dates back to the 1980s, with several legacy systems still in operation at the facility. The client has indicated plans to expand capacity in the coming years, including potential additional system purchases and replacement of older equipment.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Bhuj Polymers Advances Production Capabilities with New Vacuum Furnace

/ HARDENING NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

Bhuj Polymers, an established precision components manufacturer, is expanding its manufacturing capabilities through the acquisition of a state-of-the-art vacuum furnace. This investment will enable the company to meet growing demands while providing advanced vacuum hardening services that comply with global quality standards.

Maciej Korecki
Vice President of Vacuum Business Segment
SECO/WARWICK

SECO/WARWICK, a heat treat solutions provider with locations in North America, supplied the vacuum furnace that will be used to process tool steels with high thermal requirements, such as H13, H11 and D2. Prior to this acquisition, production capabilities were constrained by existing equipment limitations. The company’s locally manufactured furnace operated with a cooling pressure of up to 4 bar. This specification prevented effective processing of components requiring high-pressure gas hardening. Increasing production loads and customer requirements prompted Bhuj Polymers to invest in next-generation vacuum technology.

“The furnace delivered combines 15-bar high-pressure gas cooling with perfect temperature uniformity and precise control of thermal processes. This solution meets NADCA (tool & die global standard) requirements and is ready for Nadcap (aerospace global standard) certification, enabling Bhuj Polymers to expand their manufacturing services to the most demanding customers from industries such as automotive and aerospace,” says Maciej Korecki, vice president of the Vacuum Segment of the SECO/WARWICK Group.

This installation represents a significant advancement in local manufacturing capabilities. As part of SECO/WARWICK’s strategy to strengthen local production competencies, the furnace was manufactured entirely in India, reducing logistical costs, increasing competitiveness, and eliminating challenges associated with global customs policy.

Arvind Agarwal
Managing Director of SECO/WARWICK India

“Bhuj Polymers is a partner who trusted that our vacuum project, carried out entirely in India, was the correct solution for their manufacturing needs. This trust is of great value to us, as it opened a new chapter in the history of SECO/WARWICK India. This installation is an important step towards building a strong and independent technological infrastructure in India. We are pleased to be part of the growth of companies like Bhuj Polymers, who choose world-class technology produced locally,” said Arvind Agarwal, managing director of SECO/WARWICK India.

This event may serve as a significant impetus for other companies, not only in the state of Gujarat. This expansion demonstrates the importance of local production and support for manufacturers of aluminum die-casting molds, plastic processing tools, or precision components.

Press release is available in its original form here.

Bhuj Polymers Advances Production Capabilities with New Vacuum Furnace Read More »

Railway Supplier voestalpine To Expand with Hardening Line

/ ATMOSPHERE AIR FURNACES NEWS, HARDENING NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

voestalpine Fastening Systems, a supplier to the railway industry, is bolstering its hardening processes of steel parts with a technological line consisting of multiple furnaces and washers. The process will be carried out in a protected nitrogen atmosphere with temperatures up to 1742°F (950°C) on parts to be used in railway rolling stock.

Mariusz Raszewski
Deputy Director of Aluminum Process and CAB Furnaces
SECO/WARWICK

The technological line on order from SECO/WARWICK consists of two CaseMaster furnaces, three tempering furnaces, and two washers. In addition, the railway supplier will have an electric chamber, a cooling station, and an endothermic atmosphere generator delivered.

“[T]he result of technological tests carried out in a service hardening plant that the customer was acquainted with … convinced voestalpine Fastening Systems that we would meet the high requirements of the contract. The line is configured in such a way that if the volume of the company products decreases, the customer can also offer commercial processing due to the wide technological spectrum of this main furnace unit,” said Mariusz Raszewski, deputy director of the Aluminum Process and CAB Furnaces Team at SECO/WARWICK.

The technological line will include a loader operating in automatic mode, a set of roller tables, and a closed-loop water system. The number of the supplied technological line units is selected to ensure the quality of manufactured components. The whole process will be supervised by a master system, which is used to continuously monitor the heat treatment equipment operation and provides advanced data analysis for the production processes.

Mariusz Fogtman
Chief Operating Officer
voestalpine Fastening Systems

“The universal furnace solution will allow [the client] to process various parts in various configurations. Apart from technological parameters, it is important for us to limit processed part deformations, which is possible with the solution on order,” said Mariusz Fogtman, chief operating officer, voestalpine Fastening Systems Sp. z o. o.

This is the first cooperation between both partners in this product area. SECO/WARWICK has previously delivered vacuum furnaces to the voestalpine Group.

Press release is available in its original from here.

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Green Energy Equipment Manufacturer Adds VIM System

/ ENERGY HEAT TREAT NEWS, INDUCTION HEATING EQUIPMENT NEWS

A green energy equipment manufacturer has expanded its vacuum induction melting capacity with another VIM furnace for melting and casting refractory alloys. The new VIM system will be used to cast directionally solidified parts for the next generation of green energy technologies.

Earl Good
Managing Director
Retech

Retech, a SECO/WARWICK Group company, designed this system with directional solidification, a casting process used to control the crystalline structure formation in cast parts. This process precisely controls the rate and direction from which heat dissipates from a part as it cools in the mold.

Similarly equipped VIM systems melt ultra-high-purity alloys used in a diverse array of applications, including single-crystal jet engine blade casting, super alloys, shape memory alloys, and silicon for semiconductor wafers.

“This is going to help this industry partner accomplish both their production and R&D metallurgy goals,” said Earl Good, managing director of Retech, “They also appreciate that buying from us again means that their staff is already trained on this equipment.”

Press releases are available in their original form here.

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Green Energy Equipment Manufacturer Adds VIM System Read More »

Leak Detection Seminar Highlights Best Practices

/ MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, VACUUM PUMPS GAUGES VALVES NEWS

Retech Systems LLC welcomed participants to its Buffalo, NY, facility for a leak testing seminar last month, unveiling best practices and the basics of equipment on December 4-5, 2024. Vacuum technologies provider Busch Group co-hosted the event, which was open to employees and clients of both companies.

Leak detection expert Ron Ligthart in the classroom portion of the Retech – Busch Group seminar

Retech Systems LLC, which manufacturers metallurgical furnaces, is a daughter company of SECO/WARWICK Group. Busch Group brands include Busch Vacuum Solutions, Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions and centrotherm clean solutions.

Ron Ligthart from the Busch Group, a leak detection expert with over three decades of experience in the industry, presented the seminar on the first day of the event to Retech and other SECO/WARWICK employees. Attendees learned the basics of how a helium mass spectrometer leak detector works and best practices on the techniques for leak testing large vacuum systems. After a few hours of classroom-based material, students were able to put their knowledge to the test on a vacuum furnace on Retech’s shop floor using a Pfeiffer leak detector.

On day two, local Retech, Busch Group and Pfeiffer Vacuum clients were invited in for a similar activity. Overall, the event focus was on:

  • best practices for tracer gas leak testing
  • how to properly spray helium and identify leak locations
  • minimizing the time spent leak testing
  • connecting the leak detector to the ideal location and using features of the instrument (i.e. zeroing) correctly

“We had a great time partnering with Retech on this event,” said John McLaren of the Business Development – Leak Detection division at Pfeiffer Vacuum, Inc. “We’re always happy to share the knowledge we’ve gained and help customers improve their leak testing process.”

Main image caption: Ron Ligthart, presenter, leak detection seminar

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Huake Casting Control Technology Expands Production with Vacuum Furnace

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, ENERGY HEAT TREAT NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

A manufacturer of components for the aviation and energy sectors is expanding its production capabilities with the acquisition of a horizontal vacuum heat treatment furnace. Huake Casting Control (Shanghai) Technology Co., Ltd., will use the equipment to manufacture precision gas turbine components and aircraft parts. 

A Vector® horizontal vacuum heat treatment furnace
Source: SECO/WARWICK Group

The solution, a member of the Vector® family of furnaces provided by SECO/WARWICK Group, comes with a graphite heating chamber and a 15-bar absolute gas quenching system, can operate at temperatures up to 2550°F (1400°C), and has a maximum gross load weight of 1767 lb (800 kg).

“We were convinced to choose the Vector furnace because of its wide range of heat treatment processes and applications, fast cycles with high pressure gas quenching and low consumption of energy, process gases and other media. Another undoubted advantage is that Vector is environmentally friendly and has low process gas emissions,” said Li Naixu, chairman of Huake Casting Control (Shanghai) Technology Co., Ltd.

“Huake ​​Casting Control Technology has become our customer as the result of the SECO/WARWICK Group’s increasing reputation in Asia. . . . We want to provide partners with solutions which will allow them to grow and achieve their intended goals related to production, quality and profitability,” said Liu Yedong, managing director of SECO/WARWICK China.

The press release is available in its original form here.

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Huake Casting Control Technology Expands Production with Vacuum Furnace Read More »

SECO/WARWICK Group Expands US Footprint

/ MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

The SECO/WARWICK Group, the parent company of SECO/VACUUM Technologies and SECO/WARWICK USA, has announced plans to bolster its production capacity in the U.S., increasing its footprint and workforce. The expansion will include relocating a portion of its manufacturing and a metallurgical lab for vacuum furnaces from its headquarters site in Poland to Crawford County, Pennsylvania.

The 120,000-sq ft facility located in Meadville, PA, will house equipment for furnace production and serve the company’s North American customers through the addition of parts, service, and training capacity, resulting in an increase in its heat treat manufacturing workforce. an international furnace manufacturer

SECO/WARWICK Group announced that this expansion received support from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through a $2 million package of matching fund grants from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) through its Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). The primary use and intent of RACP funds is for reimbursement of eligible construction costs which SECO/WARWICK Group companies will match on a 1:1 basis. The Commonwealth will also provide an additional $69 thousand in matching funds for job training through the Workforce & Economic Development Network (WEDnet).

Employees of SECO/VACUUM Technologies and SECO/WARWICK at the announcement of the Meadville, PA, site expansion, held jointly by The SECO/WARWICK Group and the Commonwealth of PA Department of Community and Economic Development
Source: Heat Treat Today

State, county and local officials as well as representatives from the international and US-based offices of the SECO/WARWICK Group were present at an event marking the expansion.

“Governor Shapiro is committed to making Pennsylvania an economic leader by investing in the growth of businesses like SECO/VACUUM and SECO/WARWICK,” stated the Commonwealth in the grant award letter. “In addition to the financing package outlined above, the Governor’s Action Team is prepared to provide both companies with any assistance that may be required throughout the application process, as well as to coordinate the involvement of all other state agencies in the project.”

“We look forward to working with our local partners including the City of Meadville, the Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County (EPACC), the Workforce and Economic Development Network (WEDnet), and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to make this expansion happen!” said Piotr Zawistowski, president and managing director of SECO/VACUUM.

Pictured in feature image (L to R): Don Marteeny, vice president of engineering; Slawomir Wozniak, president and CEO, SECO/WARWICK Group; Piotr Zawistowski, president and managing director of SECO VACUUM Technologies

The press release is available in its original form here.

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10 News chatter To Keep You Current

/ FEATURED NEWS, 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 10 news items.

Equipment

  • Premier Furnace Specialists received orders for nine pieces of heat treating equipment to be delivered to a range of manufacturing operations, all of which are currently in various stages of completion and testing or delivery and installation.
  • A manufacturer in the composites industry recently received shipment of a cabinet oven from Gruenberg, an industrial oven and sterilizer manufacturer. The furnace will be used for curing composite parts under a vacuum.
  • A second nitriding system was installed by Nitrex to increase capacity at Balexco, an aluminum extrusion company in Bahrain focusing on increasing production capacity.
Nine furnaces in various stages of completion and testing on the floor at Premier Furnace Specialists
Gruenberg cabinet oven shipped to composites manufacturer
Nitrex nitriding system installed at Balexco

Company & Personnel

Greg Miller
National Business Manager
Superheat
  • Cognizant, a professional services company that helps clients modernize technology, announced intent to acquire Belcan, a global supplier of digital engineering services for multiple industries, including aerospace, defense, and automotive.
  • Greg Miller has joined Superheat as national business development manager for the United Kingdom and Ireland. Greg will continue to work from his base in Lanarkshire, Scotland, bringing experience in manufacturing and preventative maintenance, with a foundation in induction heating.

Kudos

  • On July 2, 2024, David Lynch celebrated 40 years with Induction Tooling, Inc. This milestone was accomplished by his commitment to excellence and consistent hard-work and dedication.
  • Superheat, an on-site heat treatment service provider based in New Lenos, IL, recently received two Industrial Safety Training Council (ISTC) Safety Achievement Awards: one for achieving three consecutive years with zero recordable injuries and another for celebrating five years without an OSHA lost workday case. Bret Cadenhead, regional HSE manager at Superheat, represented the company at the awards event in Beaumont, Texas.
  • StandardAero celebrates 60 years of providing service to Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6A turboprop across four overhaul locations worldwide. In 1964, Dallas Airmotive (acquired by the company in 2021) became the first independent MRO provider to enter into a turboprop agreement with Pratt & Whitney Canada.
  • Centorr Vacuum Industries celebrates its 70th year in business in the vacuum furnace industry. The company was founded in Somerville, MA, as Vacuum Industries in 1954, and Centorr Furnace Company in 1962 in Suncook. NH. The two companies merged in 1989 in their current facilities in Nashua, NH.
  • Sławomir Woźniak, CEO of the SECO/WARWICK Group, celebrates five years in the position, managing all three brands: SECO/WARWICK, Retech, and SECO/VACUUM.
  • StandardAero’s engine overhaul center in San Antonio, TX, has completed correlation of its first test cell for the CFM International LEAP-1B turbofan engine, as part of its introduction of LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities.
Bill Stuehr (L), president & CEO of Induction Tooling, Inc., congratulates David Lynch (R) on 40 years with the company
Bret Cadenhead, Superheat (R), receives ISTC Safety Achievement Award
Sławomir Woźniak
President & CEO
SECO/WARWICK Group
Centorr Vacuum Industries, Nashua, NH, location

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