Solar Atmospheres

Un Giro Bienvenido: Autolimpieza en Hornos revolucionado por Sistema de Bombas Inteligentes

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT TECHNICAL CONTENT, VACUUM FURNACES TECHNICAL CONTENT, VACUUM PUMPS GAUGES VALVES TECHNICAL CONTENT

¿Y si su horno de vacío pudiera limpiarse automáticamente? En esta entrega de Technical Tuesday, Bob Hill, FASM, presidente de Solar Atmospheres of Western PA and Michigan, explora una revolucionaria configuración de bomba de vacío doble que elimina la necesidad de disolventes, envoltura con lámina metálica y prelimpieza manual.

Este artículo informativo se publicó por primera vez en Heat Treat Today’s December 2025 Annual Medical & Energy Heat Treat print edition. Traducido por Víctor Zacarías.

To read this article in English, click here.

Introducción

Los hornos de vacío requieren un entorno excepcionalmente limpio para procesar componentes críticos, desde dispositivos médicos hasta componentes aeroespaciales. Sin embargo, la limpieza de componentes, laboriosa y que consume mucho tiempo para garantizar la pulcritud del horno y las piezas, no tiene por qué ser necesariamente realizada por personas. Con las bombas adecuadas, su horno de vacío puede limpiarse automáticamente. Descubra cómo sería un ciclo de limpieza al vacío totalmente integrado mediante una innovadora configuración de doble bomba de vacío primario.

En el ámbito del tratamiento térmico al vacío, donde los componentes críticos suelen tener una forma casi final con una mínima o nula eliminación de material, la estética superficial del producto final es fundamental para el usuario final. En sectores como el aeroespacial, el de dispositivos médicos y el de generación de energía, el procesamiento al vacío se ha vuelto cada vez más valioso, no solo por su precisión, sino también por su capacidad para eliminar operaciones posteriores, lo que en última instancia ahorra tiempo y dinero.

Dadas estas ventajas, los clientes suelen estar dispuestos a pagar un precio premium por un trabajo limpio y brillante. Para lograr estos resultados perfectos, las empresas de tratamiento térmico al vacío exigen que las piezas recibidas estén limpias y libres de aceite. Sin embargo, lo que se considera “limpio” en un entorno de fabricación rara vez cumple con los exigentes estándares requeridos para el procesamiento térmico al vacío. Por ello, muchos tratadores térmicos adoptan medidas de limpieza secundarias para garantizar la limpieza de las piezas y proteger sus hornos de vacío de la contaminación por aceites de maquinado, lubricantes, tintas, oxidación o compuestos de pulido.

Figura 1. Horno de desengrasado al vacio. Fuente: Solar Atmospheres

Limpieza previa al tratamiento térmico: desafíos tradicionales

Antes de cualquier tratamiento térmico al vacío, los componentes deben limpiarse a fondo para eliminar contaminantes orgánicos e inorgánicos. Las prácticas habituales incluyen inmersión en disolvente, secado y desengrasado por vapor. Esta limpieza tiene como objetivo eliminar los residuos que pueden volatilizarse y depositarse dentro del horno de vacío, lo que podría comprometer la calidad de la pieza y dañar la zona caliente y la pared fría del horno.

Sin embargo, los productos de limpieza de uso común suelen ser inflamables, tóxicos, estar sujetos a regulaciones ambientales y su eliminación resulta costosa una vez empleados.

Figura 2. (Izquierda) Desengrasante de vapor y limpieza con solvente y (derecha) estación de envoltura con papel aluminio. Fuente: Solar Atmospheres
Figura 3. Como medida de protección para evitar daños en el horno por posibles contaminantes procedentes de fuentes anteriores, las piezas listas para el tratamiento térmico se envuelven en papel de aluminio. Fuente: Solar Atmospheres

Dado que las plantas de tratamiento térmico comerciales procesan piezas procedentes de miles de operaciones previas, cada una con su propio conjunto de contaminantes, la contaminación cruzada representa un riesgo significativo. El embalaje con lámina de acero inoxidable se utiliza a menudo como medida de protección, aislando las piezas del ambiente del horno. Si bien el empaque suele ser eficaz, puede ser laborioso, costoso e incluso potencialmente peligroso. Aun con el equipo de protección personal adecuado, los bordes de la lámina son extremadamente filosos. El embalaje con lámina sigue siendo una de las principales preocupaciones en materia de salud y seguridad para los empleados.

El horno para MIM: el catalizador para la innovación

Hace cinco años, Solar Atmospheres, con sede en el oeste de Pensilvania, recibió el encargo de sinterizar piezas pre-sinterizadas mediante moldeo por inyección de metal (MIM) a 1200 °C. Los aglutinantes presentes en estas piezas de armas de fuego se volatilizaron durante el proceso y contaminaron gravemente el horno de vacío, lo que ocasionó largos periodos de inactividad y mantenimiento.

Figura 4. Piezas de acero inoxidable 17-4PH brillantes y limpias tras el tratamiento térmico en un horno de desengrasado al vacío. Fuente: Solar Atmospheres

En lugar de construir una trampa fría tradicional para capturar los volátiles, el director ejecutivo, William Jones, desarrolló una solución más innovadora: una trampa caliente diseñada para desviar y capturar los contaminantes antes de que se depositaran dentro del horno. Esta adaptación proactiva ha demostrado mejorar drásticamente la calidad de las piezas, eliminando la laboriosa y frecuente limpieza de las zonas calientes y las paredes frías.

Tras finalizar ese trabajo de MIM, el horno subutilizado impulsó la experimentación. Este horno adaptado demostró un buen rendimiento con aglutinantes no deseados. Así pues, nos propusimos probar cómo adaptar este mismo sistema para eliminar impurezas de piezas de producción diaria. Tras exhaustivas pruebas con componentes no críticos de acero inoxidable grado PH, se perfeccionó un ciclo de limpieza y envejecimiento totalmente integrado, basado en vacío. Este desarrollo ha sustituido desde entonces a los costosos métodos tradicionales de prelavado y al peligroso envoltorio en aluminio, produciendo componentes aeroespaciales 17-4 PH consistentemente limpios y brillantes.

Horno de vacío autolimpiante: Cómo funciona

La innovación clave reside en una configuración de doble bomba de vacío primario.

(Izquierda) Figura 5. Sistema de bombeo de dos etapas.
(Derecha) Figura 6. Salida calefactada del sistema de bombeo n.° 1.
Fuente: Solar Atmospheres

Sistema de bombeo n.° 1: Bombeo inicial y eliminación de contaminantes:

  • Los componentes se cargan en el horno sin envolver ni limpiar.
  • Durante el bombeo inicial, solo se activa la bomba de vacío primario n.° 1.
  • Un aumento gradual de la temperatura permite que los contaminantes se vaporicen y salgan de la zona caliente a través de un puerto calefactado hacia la bomba n.° 1.
  • Los contaminantes quedan atrapados de forma segura en el aceite de la bomba, la «trampa caliente».

Sistema de bombeo n.° 2: Transición al tratamiento térmico:

  • Una vez completado el bombeo, se aísla la bomba n.° 1.
  • El sistema de bombeo n.° 2, que incluye una bomba de vacío primario, una bomba de refuerzo, una bomba de difusión y una bomba de mantenimiento, entra en funcionamiento.
  • A continuación, la cámara se lleva a 1 x 10⁻⁵ Torr y se inicia el ciclo térmico de vacío estándar.

Esta secuencia de bombeo en dos etapas limpia tanto las piezas como la cámara antes del tratamiento térmico sin necesidad de abrir la puerta del horno.

Resultados y beneficios

Este horno de vacío y proceso recientemente desarrollados producen lo siguiente:

  • Piezas más limpias: La limpieza por vacío penetra en barrenos ciegos, roscas y chaveteros con mayor eficacia que los métodos tradicionales de desengrase con solventes o vapor.
  • Reducción de lesiones: El proceso elimina la necesidad de envolver con lámina metálica, lo que mejora significativamente la seguridad de los empleados.
  • Ventajas ambientales y económicas: El proceso reduce o elimina el uso de solventes químicos, disminuye la mano de obra asociada con la limpieza previa y el embalaje, y reduce los costos de disposición de residuos peligrosos.
  • Mejoras en el mantenimiento del horno: Las zonas calientes y las paredes frías se mantienen impecables, sin necesidad de desmontajes semanales. El aceite de la bomba n.° 1 se cambia cada dos semanas, lo que elimina los problemas de bloqueo de la bomba de vacío debido a la contaminación del aceite.

Conclusión: Un avance revolucionario en el procesamiento al vacío

Históricamente, la limpieza de las piezas en el tratamiento térmico al vacío ha sido un desafío constante, a menudo abordado con mano de obra costosa, productos químicos y el peligroso uso de lámina de acero inoxidable o titanio para su envoltura. El innovador sistema de limpieza al vacío de doble bomba de Solar Atmospheres, integrado a la perfección con un ciclo estándar de tratamiento térmico al vacío, redefine las mejores prácticas de la industria.

Este concepto de “horno autolimpiante” no solo ofrece acabados superiores en las piezas, sino que también mejora la seguridad, reduce el impacto ambiental y disminuye los costos operativos. En un mundo donde la precisión, la limpieza y la sostenibilidad son más importantes que nunca, este avance podría crear una revolución en el procesamiento al vacío limpio.

Acerca del autor:

RObert (Bob) Hill PresidentSolar Atmospheres Michigan Source: Solar Atmospheres
Robert (Bob) Hill, FASM
Presidente
Solar Atmospheres de Western Pensilvania y Michigan
Fuente: Solar Atmospheres

Bob Hill, FASM, presidente de Solar Atmospheres de Western Pensilvania y Michigan, comenzó su carrera en Solar Atmospheres en 1995 en la planta principal ubicada en Souderton, Pensilvania. En 2000, el Sr. Hill fue designado para la puesta en marcha de la segunda planta de Solar Atmospheres, Solar Atmospheres of Western PA, en Hermitage, Pensilvania, donde se especializó en el desarrollo de tecnología de hornos de gran tamaño y procesamiento de titanio. Además, en 2009 recibió el prestigioso Titanium Achievement Award de la International Titanium Association. En 2022, Bob asumió la presidencia de su segunda planta, Solar Atmospheres de Michigan.

Para más información: Contacte con Solar Atmospheres o visite www.solaratm.com.

Un Giro Bienvenido: Autolimpieza en Hornos revolucionado por Sistema de Bombas Inteligentes Read More »

A Welcome Diversion: Smart Pump System Revolution for Self-Cleaning Furnaces

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT TECHNICAL CONTENT, VACUUM FURNACES TECHNICAL CONTENT, VACUUM PUMPS GAUGES VALVES TECHNICAL CONTENT

What if your vacuum furnace could clean itself? In this Technical Tuesday installment, Bob Hill, FASM, president of Solar Atmospheres of Western PA and Michigan, explores a revolutionary dual roughing pump configuration that eliminates the need for solvents, foil wrapping, and manual pre-cleaning.

This informative piece was first released in Heat Treat Today’s December 2025 Annual Medical & Energy Heat Treat print edition.

Para leer el artículo en español, haga clic aquí.

Introduction

Vacuum furnaces require an exceptionally clean environment to process critical components, from medical devices to aerospace. But laborious, time-consuming component cleaning to ensure purity of the furnace and parts does not necessarily need to be done by people. With the right pumps, your vacuum furnace can clean itself. Explore what a fully integrated, vacuum-based cleaning cycle could look like by leveraging an innovative dual roughing pump configuration.

In the vacuum heat treating world, where critical components are often near-net-shape with minimal to zero stock removal, the surface aesthetics of the final product are critical to the end user. Across industries like aerospace, medical devices, and power generation, vacuum processing has become increasingly valued — not only for its precision, but also for its ability to eliminate downstream operations, ultimately saving cost and time.

Given these benefits, clients are frequently willing to pay a premium for bright, clean work. To achieve these pristine results, vacuum heat treaters insist that incoming parts must be clean and oil-free. However, what qualifies as “clean” in a manufacturing environment rarely meets the exacting standards required for vacuum thermal processing. As a result, many commercial heat treaters adopt secondary cleaning measures to ensure part cleanliness and to protect their vacuum furnaces from contamination by machining oils, lubricants, Dykem, oxidation, or polishing compounds.

Figure 1. Vacuum degreasing furnace. Source: Solar Atmospheres

Pre-Heat Treatment Cleaning: Traditional Challenges

Before any vacuum heat treatment, components must be thoroughly cleaned to remove organic and inorganic contaminants. Common practices include solvent immersion, drying, and vapor degreasing. This cleaning step is designed to eliminate residues that can volatilize and redeposit within the vacuum furnace, potentially compromising part quality and damaging the vacuum furnace hot zone and cold wall.

However, commonly used cleaning agents are often flammable, toxic, environmentally regulated, and costly to dispose of when spent.

Figure 2. (Left) Vapor degreaser and solvent cleaning and (right) foil wrapping station. Source: Solar Atmospheres
Figure 3. As a defensive measure to prevent furnace damage from potential upstream sourced contaminants, parts ready for heating are wrapped in stainless steel foil. Source: Solar Atmospheres

Given that commercial heat treaters process parts from thousands of upstream operations, each introducing its own set of contaminants, cross-contamination becomes a significant risk. Stainless steel foil wrapping is often used as a defensive measure, isolating parts from the furnace environment. While wrapping is often effective, it can be labor-intensive, expensive, and even potentially hazardous. Even with the proper PPE, the foil edges are razor-sharp. Foil wrapping continues to be a top health and safety concern for employees.

The MIM Furnace: A Catalyst for Innovation

Five years ago, Solar Atmospheres of Western Pennsylvania was tasked with sintering pre-sintered metal injection molding (MIM) parts at 2200°F. The binders present in these firearm parts volatilized during processing and heavily contaminated the vacuum furnace, resulting in extensive downtime and maintenance.

Figure 4. Bright, clean 17-4PH stainless steel parts post heat treatment in a vacuum degreasing furnace. Source: Solar Atmospheres

Instead of constructing a traditional “cold trap” to capture volatiles, CEO William Jones developed a more innovative solution: a “hot trap” designed to divert and capture contaminants before they could deposit inside the furnace. This proactive adaptation has proven to drastically improve part quality while eliminating the laborious and frequent cleaning of hot zones and cold walls.

After that MIM job ended, the underutilized furnace prompted experimentation. This adapted furnace proved to perform well on unwanted binders. So, we set out to test how this same system could be adapted to remove impurities from everyday production parts. After extensive trials using noncritical PH-grade stainless steel components, a fully integrated, vacuum-based cleaning and aging cycle was perfected. This development has since replaced traditional expensive pre-cleaning methods and dangerous foil wrapping, producing consistently clean and bright 17-4 PH aerospace components.

The Self-Cleaning Vacuum Furnace: How It Works

The key innovation lies in a dual roughing pump configuration.

(Left) Figure 5. Two-stage pumping system. (Right) Figure 6. Heated exit port on Pumping System #1.
Source: Solar Atmospheres

Pumping System #1 — Initial Pump-Down and Contaminant Removal:

  • Components are loaded into the furnace unwrapped and uncleaned.
  • Only Roughing Pump #1 is activated during the initial pump-down.
  • A slow temperature ramp allows contaminants to vaporize and exit the hot zone through a heated port into Pump #1.
  • Contaminants are safely trapped in the pump’s oil — the “hot trap.”

Pumping System #2 — Transition to Heat Treatment:

  • After off gassing is complete, Pump #1 is isolated.
  • Pump #2 system, which includes a roughing pump, booster, diffusion, and holding pump, takes over.
  • The chamber is then brought to 1 x 10⁻⁵ Torr and the standard vacuum thermal cycle proceeds.

This two-stage pumping sequence cleans both the parts and the chamber prior to heat treatment without ever opening the furnace door.

Results and Benefits

This newly developed vacuum furnace and process produces the following:

  • Cleaner parts: Vacuum cleaning penetrates blind holes, threads, and keyways more effectively than traditional solvent or vapor degreasing methods.
  • Injury reduction: The process eliminates the need for hazardous foil wrapping, significantly improving employee safety.
  • Environmental and cost advantages: The process reduces or eliminates chemical solvent use, cuts labor associated with pre-cleaning and wrapping, and reduces hazardous waste and disposal costs.
  • Furnace maintenance improvements: Hot zones and cold walls remain pristine — no weekly teardowns. Pump #1 oil is changed biweekly, eliminating roughing pump seizure concerns due to contaminated oil.

Conclusion: A Breakthrough in Vacuum Processing

Historically, part cleanliness in vacuum heat treating has been a persistent challenge — one often addressed through costly labor, chemicals, and dangerous stainless steel or titanium foil wrapping. Solar Atmospheres’ innovative dual-pump vacuum cleaning system, integrated seamlessly with a standard vacuum heat treatment cycle, redefines industry best practices.

This “self-cleaning furnace” concept not only delivers superior part finishes but also enhances safety, reduces environmental impact, and cuts operating costs. In a world where precision, cleanliness, and sustainability matter more than ever, this advancement may very well create a revolution in clean vacuum processing.

About The Author:

RObert (Bob) Hill PresidentSolar Atmospheres Michigan Source: Solar Atmospheres
Robert (Bob) Hill, FASM
President
Solar Atmospheres of Western PA and Michigan
Source: Solar Atmospheres

Bob Hill, FASM, president of Solar Atmospheres of Western PA and Michigan, began his career with Solar Atmospheres in 1995 at the headquarters plant located in Souderton, Pennsylvania. In 2000, Mr. Hill was assigned the responsibility of starting Solar Atmospheres’ second plant, Solar Atmospheres of Western PA, in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, where he has specialized in the development of large furnace technology and titanium processing capabilities. Additionally, he was awarded the prestigious Titanium Achievement Award in 2009 by the International Titanium Association. In 2022, Bob became president of his second plant, Solar Atmospheres of Michigan.

For more information: Contact Solar Atmospheres or visit www.solaratm.com.

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The Ultra-Clean Revolution: Why All-Metal Hot Zones Are Becoming the New Standard

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

As aerospace, defense, and medical applications demand tighter chemistry and flawless surfaces, heat treaters are accelerating their move toward all-metal hot zones and ultra-high-vacuum systems. The push for cleaner processing is quickly reshaping expectations not only for commercial heat treaters, but also for in-house heat treat operations supporting mission-critical production.

Today’s original content brings together recent Heat Treat Today reporting on all-metal hot zones, next-generation vacuum systems, and supply-chain investments redefining clean processing for aerospace, defense, and medical work.

All-Metal Hot Zones Drive Cleaner, More Predictable Processing

Heat treaters serving medical, aerospace, and turbine production continue to adopt all-metal hot zones to reduce contamination risk, stabilize vacuum performance, and deliver more consistent surface conditions.

Solar Atmospheres has expanded its all-metal vacuum furnace capacity across multiple locations in 2025, most recently at its Western Pennsylvania facility dedicated to critical medical work. The system features an all-molybdenum hot zone, finely polished stainless-steel cold wall, and dual isolation valves to maintain vacuum integrity, accompanied by a major clean-room expansion to support downstream handling.

Earlier this year, the company added a similar all-metal furnace at its Hermitage campus. Designed for precipitation-hardened stainless steels, nickel-and cobalt-based superalloys, titanium, and niobium, the system reflects the rising expectations placed on heat treat environments supporting high-performance material systems.

Michael Johnson, sales director at Solar Atmospheres of Western Pennsylvania, underscored the significance of the shift, noting that the all-metal design delivers “the purest possible processing environment” and produces “pristine end products that meet the most demanding industry standards.”

With vacuum levels reaching below 5 × 10⁻⁶ Torr through a diffusion pump, oversized main valve, and polished stainless chamber, these furnaces support bright, contamination-free results — conditions increasingly relevant to in-house heat treaters tasked with eliminating process variation.

See the full articles here: Solar Atmospheres Expands for Medical Industry and All-Metal Hot Zone Furnace for Solar Atmospheres

High-Performance Vacuum Systems Support Tighter Internal Specifications

Across the industry, new vacuum systems are being introduced that emphasize uniform quenching, reduced gas consumption, and shorter cycle times — benefits that resonate strongly with in-house heat treat teams striving for throughput without sacrificing metallurgical integrity.

A recent example is the addition of a 6-bar Ipsen TurboTreater horizontal vacuum furnace at Stack Metallurgical Group‘s Portland, Oregon facility. It’s designed for 360-degree uniform quenching and engineered to reduce cycle times by up to 20 percent. Its versatility — supporting hardening, tempering, brazing, sintering, annealing, and more — illustrates the broader trend toward equipment that supports multiple metallurgical pathways while maintaining low-contamination processing.

While not an all-metal hot zone, SMG’s investment signals the same market direction: vacuum systems are increasingly becoming the backbone for operators who prioritize clean surfaces, repeatable thermal cycles, and consistent downstream machining performance.

See the full article here: Stack Metallurgical Group Increases Operations with Horizontal Vacuum Furnace

High Purity Feedstock Becomes a Process-Control Advantage

Arconic Corporation has recently invested $57.5 million in an effort to boost high purity aluminum (HPA) capacity for aerospace and defense applications at its Davenport Works plant, a major in-house heat treating operation. The expansion strengthens both its full thermal processing line and the broader aerospace and defense supply chain.

By the same token, this manufacturer is upstream in product development. For aerospace manufacturers of aluminum products with in-house heat treaters, access to cleaner feedstock translates into more predictable microstructures, fewer surprises at the furnace, and reduced process deviations, which is a meaningful advantage as specifications tighten.

Diana Perreiah, Arconic’s EVP of Rolled Products North America, positioned the investment as a deliberate step toward enhancing U.S. industrial capability, emphasizing that the expansion supports the advanced manufacturing base required for next-generation platforms. Her comments highlight a growing recognition that material purity upstream directly influences thermal processing reliability downstream.

The project includes two new furnaces, automation upgrades, and modernized controls, ensuring consistent supply of the high purity aluminum essential for complex structures ranging from aircraft wing skins to high-strength defense components.

See the full article here: Arconic $57.5 Million High Purity Aluminum Production Expansion for Aerospace & Defense

Toward a New Standard for Mission-Critical Work

Across furnaces, feedstock, and facility upgrades, the direction is unmistakable: the industry is moving rapidly toward ultra-clean, tightly controlled thermal environments.

For in-house heat treat departments, the message is clear. These technologies are not simply expanding commercial heat treat capacity — they are redefining expectations for internal operations where scrap reduction, audit readiness, and end-to-end process reliability are central.

All-metal hot zones, advanced vacuum systems, and high purity input materials are quickly becoming a baseline for meeting stringent performance requirements for many in today’s aerospace, defense, and medical applications.

The Ultra-Clean Revolution: Why All-Metal Hot Zones Are Becoming the New Standard Read More »

13 News Chatter to Keep You Current

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS

Heat Treat Today 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 impact
2 EV/CAB lines for heat exchanger production
All-metal hot zone furnace for Solar Atmospheres
Tube annealing system for Alleima
Successful 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 Americas
Tracy Dougherty, President of Sales and Service, Aichelin Americas
Paul Oleszkiewicz, President of Operations, Aichelin Americas
Hiperbaric’s HIP 38 press for thermal post processing
Oliver 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 accredited
Noah Kantor and Richard Chen representing Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s CHTE

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

13 News Chatter to Keep You Current Read More »

All-Metal Hot Zone Furnace for Solar Atmospheres

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, ATMOSPHERE AIR FURNACES NEWS, HARDENING NEWS, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT NEWS

Solar Atmospheres has expanded its operations 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.

Additional all metal hot zone furnace for Solar Atmospheres
Source: Solar Atmospheres

Michael Johnson, Sales Director at Solar Atmospheres of Western Pennsylvania, stated: “The all-metal vacuum furnace plays a critical role in delivering the purest possible processing environment. This level of cleanliness and control results in pristine end products that meet the most demanding industry standards. We’re proud to partner with the engineers at Solar Manufacturing to bring this advanced technology to fruition.”

The furnace incorporates strategically placed isolation valves, an oversized main valve, a high-capacity diffusion pump, and a polished stainless-steel chamber. Capable of achieving vacuum levels below 5 x 10⁻⁶ Torr, the system ensures bright, contamination-free results.

Press release is available in its original form here.

All-Metal Hot Zone Furnace for Solar Atmospheres Read More »

10 News Chatter to Keep You Current

/ 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, featuring Plibrico Company’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 Group
Cryotherm technology at Stack
Mercer 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. Plibrico Company 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, Ipsen
New 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 celebration
Bob Hill recognized with the MTI Heritage Award
Celebrating Pratt and Whitney’s 100 years
Alleima’s sustainability targets

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Solar Atmospheres Expands with 10-Bar Vacuum Furnace

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

Solar Atmospheres has commissioned and installed a new 10-bar vacuum furnace at its Greenville, SC facility. The horizontal furnace can process loads up to 12,000 pounds and expands the company’s capacity for high-pressure quenching of large components and workloads.

Solar Atmospheres new 10-bar vacuum furnace
Source: Solar Atmospheres
Steve Prout
President
Solar Atmospheres Southeast

Manufactured by its sister company Solar Manufacturing, the furnace features a working zone measuring 48” wide x 48” high x 96” deep. Its pumping package achieves an ultimate vacuum level of 1×10⁻⁶ Torr, ensuring performance for processing titanium and other high-grade alloys requiring pristine vacuum environments

Steve Prout, president of Solar Atmospheres Southeast, commented: “We’re proud to offer our customers another regional option for high-pressure quenching of large components and workloads, while also providing the opportunity to reduce processing costs through economies of scale.”

Press release is available in its original form here.

Solar Atmospheres Expands with 10-Bar Vacuum Furnace Read More »

Solar Atmospheres Expands for Medical Industry

/ MEDICAL HEAT TREAT NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

Solar Atmospheres of Western PA is expanding with the addition of a brand-new all-metal hot zone vacuum furnace. The furnace is engineered specifically for the high-vacuum processing of critical medical components.

Solar Atmospheres’ new vacuum furnace
Source: Solar Atmospheres
Solar Atmospheres’ new vacuum furnace
Source: Solar Atmospheres
Robert Hill, FASM
President
Solar Atmospheres of Western PA

“This new furnace is equipped with an all-molybdenum hot zone and a finely polished stainless steel cold wall. Critical vacuum pumping will be conducted on the vacuum chamber only with the integration of two (2) isolation valves. This design has proven to produce bright clean work on the critical medical device materials that we are processing. We now have identical furnaces in our clean room working 24/7,” commented Bob Hill, president of Solar Atmospheres of Western PA.

The furnace is 24” x 24” x 36” deep with an all-metal hot zone.

Solar Atmospheres supported this expansion by doubling the size of their existing medical clean room.

Heat Treat Today original press release, last updated on 09/04/2025 at 5:09am.

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Advanced Vacuum Carburizing Furnace for Aerospace Industry

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, CARBURIZING NEWS, QUENCHING NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

A prominent aerospace company known for producing advanced, high-precision components for the global aviation and aerospace engine industry has been shipped a vacuum carburizing furnace. Headquartered in North America, the company’s aerospace division has been a trusted resource for the aeroengine sector for decades.

Vacuum carburizing furnace for aerospace
Source: Solar Manufacturing

To support the development of a specialized carburizing process, Solar Manufacturing partnered closely with the R&D team at its sister company, Solar Atmospheres, a heat treating affiliate. Collaborative testing was conducted at Solar Atmospheres’ Technology Center in Souderton, Pennsylvania, where engineers from both organizations worked together to fine-tune the process to meet the specific metallurgical specifications.

“This collaboration was invaluable in achieving the desired metallurgical results,” said Rick Jones, regional sales manager at Solar Manufacturing.

The delivered system features a graphite-insulated hot zone measuring 48” wide × 48” high × 60” deep, capable of reaching temperatures up to 2400°F (1370°C). The furnace can accommodate workloads up to 5,000 pounds and includes an internal gas cooling system that provides rapid 2-bar nitrogen quenching.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Titanium Drop Bottom Furnace To Be Installed

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

Following foundation preparations, Solar Atmospheres will be installing a new titanium drop bottom water quench furnace at their Hermitage, Pennsylvania, location. The new addition will ensure consistent metallurgical results for demanding aerospace and industrial applications.

The new furnace is rated for a maximum operating temperature of 1850°F ±10°F and is designed to process titanium bar and forging loads of up to 7,500 pounds. Measuring 14′ by 54″ wide by 48″ high, workloads will be rapidly transferred into a 7,000-gallon, recirculated water quench tank within seconds.

This investment opens the door to expanded titanium solution treating capabilities and supports Solar Atmospheres’ commitment to innovative thermal processing solutions.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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