Solar Manufacturing

39 Heat Treat News Chatter Items To Keep You Current

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 39 news bites that will help you stay up to date on all things heat treat.

 

Equipment Chatter

  1. The precision forging manufacturer Jiangsu Pacific Precision Forging Company has placed an order with SMS group for a fully automatic MP 3150 eccentric closed-die forging press. Pacific Precision will be able to forge aluminum chassis components on a much larger scale. This new expansion provides Pacific Precision with access to the growing automotive market segment for more lightweight designs.
  2. A commercial heat treater in Mexico purchased a third vacuum furnace from SECO/WARWICK Group.
  3. Ecocat India, a catalyst manufacturer, has ordered an advanced technology vacuum gas cooling furnace from SECO/WARWICK. The system will carry out brazing and annealing processes.
  4. Several new CAB lines have been ordered from SECO/WARWICK to be delivered to manufacturers in China. Two companies specifically chose EV/CAB lines while another manufacturer purchased a CAB line.
  5. SECO/WARWICK delivered two CAB lines and one universal chamber furnace for aluminum brazing to an automotive manufacturer in China. The systems will braze large-size coolers for vehicle batteries.
  6. Oetzbach Edelstahl GmbH, a hardening plant, has purchased a third furnace from SECO/WARWICK.
  7. A Swiss commercial heat treater ordered a brazing furnace to be used for nickel and silver from SECO/WARWICK.
  8. Tenova LOI Thermprocess has completed the production optimization of a new Twin-Chamber Melting Furnace (TCF®) at E-Max Billets in Kerkrade, the Netherlands.
  9. An Asian thread rolling die conglomerate selected a SECO/WARWICK vacuum furnace. The Vector® will be used for vacuum hardening and tempering fastener dies.


Company and Personnel Chatter

  1. Hubbard-Hall has expanded its product offering and customer resources by acquiring the assets of Torch Surface Technologies, a specialty chemical company based in Whitmore Lake, MI.
  2. New simulation software is being launched at CENOS Simulation Software. The application portfolio expands with some new electromagnetic case software apps. The first apps will be launched in Q4 or a little later.
  3. Solar Atmospheres of California announced it has been awarded the approval to process parts for Lockheed Martin (LMCO) owned Sikorsky. The Sikorsky approval adds to the existing LMCO process specifications held for vacuum heat treatment of titanium, nickel alloys, and stainless steel per AMS 2801, AMS 2774, AMS 2759/3, and others.
  4. Nel Hydrogen US, a subsidiary of Nel, has entered into a joint development agreement with General Motors to help accelerate the industrialization of Nel’s proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer platform. The two companies are looking to enable more cost competitive sources of renewable hydrogen.
  5. The Supervisory Board of thyssenkrupp AG extended the appointment of Oliver Burkhard by five years. Burkhard has been a member of the Essen-based group's Executive Board since February 2013, Thyssenkrupp AG director of Labor since April 2013, and additionally CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems since May 2022.
  6. Joe Coleman, cyber security officer of Bluestreak Consulting™, has earned his Cyber AB CMMC Certification as a Registered Practitioner (RP). CMMC is a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) program that applies to Defense Industrial Base (DIB) contractors.
  7. CG Thermal welcomes associate process engineer Signe Laundrup to the Process Systems Group. Laundrup is a 2021 chemical engineering graduate from the University of California, San Diego. Her background is in manufacturing and research and design.
  8. Tata Steel signed a memorandum of understanding with SMS Group to reduce carbon emissions at Tata’s integrated steel plants across India.
  9. Two heat treat technology companies integrate: C3 Data’s real-time pyrometry compliance software enables digital uploading of certificate data of all TT Electronics.
  10. Ipsen Japan announced the addition of Mr. Masakazu Kanaka in the role of customer service director. Kanaka is responsible for the growth of all Ipsen Japan customer service business, which includes retrofits, parts, and service. He will oversee the aftermarket sales team and field service engineers.
  11. Solar Atmospheres of California announced Honeywell approval to heat treat austenitic steels, martensitic steels, pH steels, tool steels, nickel alloys, cobalt alloys, titanium alloys, and magnetic alloys.
  12. Aluplast – ZTG, an Altest company, recently expanded its production capacity with a second Nitrex nitriding system. The second furnace, a model N-EXT-612, is capable of processing a load of extrusion dies weighing up to 1300lbs.
  13. Solar Atmospheres of Michigan is pleased to announce the addition of Chris Molencupp as their new sales manager.
  14. Metal Exchange Corporation announced that Matt Rohm, current President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), will be promoted to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Metal Exchange Corporation effective January 1, 2023. At that time, current CEO Rick Merluzzi will assume the title of executive vice chairman, serving as an advisor to executive chairman, Mike Lefton, on key strategic initiatives for the organization, through the end of 2023.
  15. Quintus Technologies joins the newly opened Application Center at RISE to support further development of additive manufacturing. The AM Center will also include the Quintus press model QIH 15L-2070.
  16. Abbott Furnace Company announced that it has partnered with Obsidian Technical Group for sales and service support across much of the eastern United States.
  17. Robert Roth announced the appointment of Nelson Sanchez as RoMan’s new president, effective January 1, 2023. Sanchez is the first non-family member to hold the office.
  18. Hubbard-Hall hired Aaron Mambrino as chief financial officer. Her expertise lies in driving process changes to create operational synergies, developing strategic partnerships, and LEAN manufacturing.
  19. John Savona, vice president of Americas Manufacturing and Labor Affairs, Ford Blue, will retire on March , after more than 33 years. Bryce Currie will step into the role.
  20. AFC-Holcroft welcomed employees and their families, company retirees, and invited guests to view their newly renovated building as part of an open house.
  21. Solar Atmospheres of California participated in the “Spark of Love” toy drive in coordination with the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
  22. Raytheon Technologies expands Bengaluru operations with opening of Pratt & Whitney India Engineering Center. The facility is co-located with Pratt & Whitney’s India Capability Center and Collins Aerospace engineering and global operations centers.
  23. Lucifer Furnaces in Warrington, PA, a manufacturer of heat treating furnaces and ovens for the last 80 years, has added Brett Wenger to its leadership team as vice president of sales.

 


Kudos Chatter

  1. Global Thermal Solutions celebrates 15 years in Mexico.
  2. Hitchiner Manufacturing receives Nadcap Accreditation.
  3. Ipsen USA announced that 2023 represents a milestone anniversary. This year marks 75 years since Harold Ipsen founded the company.
  4. Desktop Metal is sponsoring on a new season of BattleBots. The completely rebuilt robot is aided by the design freedoms and fast turnaround times of metal 3D printing.
  5. Solar Atmosphere’s Michigan and Western Pennsylvania facilities have recently been awarded Nadcap Merit status for vacuum heat treating and brazing.
  6. In September, the Swiss Steel Group (SSG) held the 1st Hydrogen Symposium at the Henrichshütte Iron and Steel Works in Hattingen. Speakers from academia, business, and politics held lectures in four sessions.
  7. Borikengineers, a team mentored by Pratt & Whitney employees in Puerto Rico, has advanced to the Qualifiers’ Finals Competition in the FIRST Tech Challenge DC Qualifier. The team won the Judges Choice Award.

 


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.


 

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


 

39 Heat Treat News Chatter Items To Keep You Current Read More »

Heat Treating and Brazing Facility in PA Adds Furnace

HTD Size-PR Logo

A heat treat furnace was recently shipped and installed at commercial heat treat facility in Eastern PA. The equipment will expand the company's vacuum heat treat and gas quench capabilities.

Solar Manufacturing recently delivered a Mentor® vacuum furnace. The furnace has stainless steel chamber, a work zone of 12” x 12” x 18” deep, and a maximum operating temperature of 2400°F with a workload capacity of 250 pounds. The furnace includes a VHS 6” diffusion pump for vacuum performance in the 10-6 Torr range, a 7.5HP fan motor for internal gas quenching up to 15PSIG (2-bar), and the SolarVac® fully automated and programmable controls package with a Eurotherm digital recorder.


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


Heat Treating and Brazing Facility in PA Adds Furnace Read More »

Massive H13 Extrusion Dies Heat Treat Hardened for Ohio Companies

HTD Size-PR Logo

Michael Johnson
Director of sales
Solar Atmospheres of Western PA

Two large H13 extrusion dies for two separate companies were vacuum heat treated in a high pressure gas quench vacuum furnace that fully hardened the dies in successive cycles.

Solar Atmospheres, using a furnace from Solar Manufacturing, provided two Ohio companies as-quenched dies with hardness of HRC 50-52 using nitrogen as the quench gas. The hollow die was 30” outer diameter x 15” inner diameter x 103” long and weighed 16,000 pounds. The solid die, belonging to a different customer, was 34” outer diameter x 64” long and weighed 14,000 pounds. Post-quench each component was triple air tempered resulting in a final hardness of HRC 46-48.

The 10-bar 600 HP high pressure vacuum furnace permits the company to obtain the desired cooling rates, commented Mike Johnson, director of sales at Solar Atmospheres.


Search for heat treat services and products on Heat Treat Buyers Guide.com


Massive H13 Extrusion Dies Heat Treat Hardened for Ohio Companies Read More »

19 Quick Heat Treat News Chatter Items To Keep You Current

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 19 news bites that will help you stay up to date on all things heat treat.

Equipment Chatter

  1. Global commodities group, Anglo American, and thyssenkrupp Steel have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on developing new pathways for the decarbonization of steelmaking. The collaboration will focus on joint research to accelerate the development of high-quality input stock for lower carbon steel production, using both conventional blast furnace and direct reduction iron.
  2. SECO/WARWICK delivered additional CAB lines to SUZHOU RETEK in China.
  3. Tenova was contracted by Sinova Global to supply the basic engineering of a new silicon metal plant in Tennessee. The site will be North America’s most modern and efficient silicon metal plant, a greenfield development for Sinova Global.


Company and Personnel Chatter

  1. Brighton Science and Hubbard-Hall partner to provide the Infinity Surface Cleaning Intelligence Program, which is designed to aid manufacturers to prepare surfaces and prevent problems.
  2. Thermal-Vac Technology, Inc. announced the completion of a new microgrid from Verdant Microgrid, LLC. Collaboration with the following companies ensured the completion: Eos Energy Enterprises of Edison, NJ; Stronghold Engineering, Inc. of Perris, CA; and GridSwitch Asset Management Services of Moon, PA.
  3. Bryan Stern has joined Gasbarre as the product development manager for Gasbarre Thermal Processing Systems. Bryan’s experience, knowledge, and forward-thinking will allow him to support existing clients and advance the company’s growing footprint in the vacuum furnace market.
  4. Ipsen recently launched a new website with the goal of providing a better user experience for customers worldwide. IpsenGlobal.com now incorporates all Ipsen locations, products, and services under one domain.
  5. Furnaces North America 2022, the premier trade show and technical conference in the North American heat treating industry, attracted over 1,200 attendees from around the world. The show produced by the Metal Treating Institute in partnership with its media partner, Heat Treat Today.


Kudos Chatter

  1. Doug Peters, CEO of Peters’ Heat Treating, received the Winslow Award, an honor that is given to an individual or business that has made valuable economic improvements.
  2. A two chamber vacuum oil quench furnace has received Nadcap accreditation. Solar Manufacturing designed the furnace for Solar Atmospheres of Western PA.
  3. Ayla Busch was honored with the German Leadership Award 2022. This award was presented at the annual alumni convention of the Collège des Ingénieurs and is an award for innovative corporate leadership in the German economy.
  4. Texas Heat Treating, Inc. announces that both Round Rock and Texas Heat Treating Worth just completed ISO 17025 lab audits. The audits came back with no findings.
  5. Representatives from TAV VACUUM gave a speech during the first day of the 27th IFHTSE Congress & European Conference on Heat Treatment 2022. The talk was about the heat treatment of titanium alloys, specifically, “Vacuum heat treatment of Ti6Al4V alloy produced via SLM additive manufacturing.”
  6. RETECH, a SECO/WARWICK Group company, was acknowledged as “The Most Innovative Metallurgical Equipment Specialist in 2022 for the USA” by Acquisition International Magazine. Additionally, Earl Good, its managing director, has been honored by The Corporate Magazine in the “Top 20 Most Dynamic Business Leaders of 2022.″
  7. Nitrex Metal, Inc. announced that it was selected for the “American Dream” series airing on Bloomberg and Amazon Prime. The series explores the entrepreneurial stories of men and women who founded and built incredible companies from the ground up.
  8. Jim Oakes, president of Super Systems, has been awarded the first ever Furnaces North America (FNA) Industry Award at the trade show’s opening night kickoff reception.
  9. At the recent 2022 MTI fall meeting held in Indianapolis, IN, the Metal Treating Institute recognized Roy Adkins, director of Corporate Quality, with the MTI Award of Industry Merit. This award is given in recognition of current and ongoing commitment to the betterment of the commercial heat treating industry with one or more significant accomplishments.
  10. Hubbard-Hall has been awarded the Top Workplaces 2022 honor by Hearst Media Services in Connecticut. The award is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey that is administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC.
  11. Pelican Wire Calibration Laboratory received “ISO/IEC 17025:2017” accreditation from ANSI National Accreditation Board.

 


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.


 

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


 

19 Quick Heat Treat News Chatter Items To Keep You Current Read More »

Vacuum Heat Treat Capabilities Expand for Magnetic Shields Ltd

HTD Size-PR Logo

Colin Woolger, Director, MSL Heat Treatment
Source: LinkedIn

A U.S. manufacturer of heat treat furnaces will supply a new vacuum furnace to the heat treat subsidiary of Magnetic Shields Limited (MSL) of Kent, United Kingdom. MSL Heat Treatment will use this furnace in the manufacture of medical and scientific devices.

The partnership between Solar Manufacturing and MSL began in 2016, and this new Mentor® Pro vacuum furnace (HFL-3036-2IQ) will be manufactured in accordance with CE standards including the vacuum chamber being built to ASME/UKCA requirements.

This furnace has a working hot zone area of 18” wide x 18” high x 36” deep (457mm x 457mm x 914mm) with a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds (455 kgs). It will be able to reach temperatures up to 2400°F (1315°C) and will feature a three gas partial pressure system and an internal quench system designed for 2-bar (15 PSIG) positive pressure quenching.

"MSL Heat Treatment specialize in brazing and controlled heat treatment for medical and scientific applications," Colin Woolger, director of MSL Heat Treatment added, "This latest furnace [. . .] will enable us to continue to provide high quality solutions to our growing customer base. The inclusion of hydrogen as a process gas also allows us to utilize the furnace for magnetic annealing to a very high specification."

"[We're] pleased to continue working with MSL as a supplier for their thermal processing needs," stated Rick Jones, vice president of International Sales at Solar Manufacturing. This will be the third vacuum furnace that the heat treat furnace provider will supply to MSL Heat Treatment.


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


 

Vacuum Heat Treat Capabilities Expand for Magnetic Shields Ltd Read More »

Western PA Heat Treat Facility VOQ Passes Startup Protocol

HTD Size-PR Logo

Source: Solar
Robert (Bob) Hill, FASM
President
Solar Atmospheres of Western PA
Source: Solar Atmospheres

Solar Atmospheres of Western PA announced their newly designed vacuum oil quench furnace (VOQ) has passed startup protocol. There were zero flare and smoke-ups during the quench cycle and the transfer mechanism moved 2000 pound loads with no issues.

"[Recently]," Bob Hill, president of Solar Atmospheres of Western PA, says, "insurance companies are reluctant to write policies for commercial heat treaters simply because they see a single flame or evidence of smoke. In the past, unfortunate accidents have occurred with explosive endothermic atmospheres and flammable oils. I am convinced that this new Solar Manufacturing furnace is a much safer and greener way to oil quench parts."

Watch internal and external camera footage during a quench operation.

 

 

The design of the furnace allows for reading work temperatures within the 36" x 36" x 48" hot zone. No oxygen probes are necessary, since the furnace operates with an atmosphere devoid of oxygen. Alloys of dissimilar carbon contents and similar cross sections and austenitizing temperatures can be treated in the same load.

To read about the installation of this VOQ, or to watch a video of the largest component of that installation, click here.


.

Search for heat treat solution providers and suppliers on Heat Treat Buyers Guide.com


 

Western PA Heat Treat Facility VOQ Passes Startup Protocol Read More »

U.S. Firearm Manufacturer Orders Vacuum Heat Treat Furnace

HTD Size-PR LogoA firearms manufacturer based in the U.S. has ordered a vacuum heat treating furnace from a Pennsylvania manufacturer.

Solar Manufacturing Inc. announced the receipt of the heat treat furnace, a model HFL-5748-2IQ, which has a hot zone of 36” x 36” x 48” deep with a weight capacity of 5,000 lbs. Its maximum operating temperature is 2400°F and it heats to 2500°F for hot zone bake out. The furnace design also has a temperature uniformity of ±10°F and is AMS2750 compliant with vacuum levels in the low micron range.

For rapid turnaround for work cooling, a 100 HP gas blower is provided for operating at 15 PSIG (2-bar) in nitrogen gas. The furnace is complete with a SolarVac® Polaris fully automated and programmable industrial controls package, and a Eurotherm digital chart recorder.

The system also includes a Magnetic Specialties, Inc. SCR-based dry power supply rated at 225 kVa.

Firearm Image Photo Source: Jay Rembert at unsplash.com

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


 

U.S. Firearm Manufacturer Orders Vacuum Heat Treat Furnace Read More »

Vacuum Oil Quench Being Installed at Western PA Facility

HTD Size-PR LogoSolar Atmospheres of Western PA received delivery of their vacuum oil quench (VOQ) furnace last week.

This 36” x 36″ x 48” furnace from Solar Manufacturing will be fully installed, tested and operational in early April. See the largest component, a 40,000 pound vestibule/oil quench tank, being transferred and inverted into its pit. This will be the first vacuum oil quench furnace to employ work thermocouples in the actual load!

 

Solar Atmospheres indicates that they will be releasing updates on this furnace in the future.

Vacuum Oil Quench Being Installed at Western PA Facility Read More »

Solar Atmospheres of Souderton, PA Adds Furnace for Titanium Reclamation

HTD Size-PR LogoSolar Atmospheres Souderton, PA incorporated a high-production vacuum furnace with a work zone of 48″x48″x72″ and a weight capacity of up to 7,500 lbs/batch. The furnace doubles the facility’s hydriding and de-hydriding capacity in the reclamation of titanium and tantalum materials.

Solar Atmospheres Souderton, PA installed the furnace with Solar Manufacturing’s vacuum furnace technology. The technology is aimed at safety and efficiency and will help in the reclamation process.

Solar Atmospheres of Souderton, PA Adds Furnace for Titanium Reclamation Read More »

R&D and Additive Manufacturing Heat Treater Adds Vacuum Furnace

HTD Size-PR Logo

Derek Dennis
President
Solar Atmospheres of California

To support R&D and additive manufacturing projects, Solar Atmospheres of California (SCA) has added some small vacuum furnace capacity to their equipment offerings.

The new vacuum furnace was acquired from SCA’s furnace manufacturing sister facility, Solar Manufacturing (SAMI) located in Sellersville, PA, and was specifically designed to process a variety of materials between 600°F – 2400°F (+/-10°F) in both vacuum and/or partial pressure environments. Precise cooling capability up to 2-Bar in argon, nitrogen or helium is available with a maximum operating temperature up to 2650°F. The furnace is also equipped with the SAMI’s state-of-the-art SolarVac® Polaris Control System for optimum performance and precise cycle control.

"We are pleased to add this needed piece of vacuum furnace equipment to service our valuable customers," said Derek Dennis, president of SCA. "The additive manufacturing industry continues to grow, and this new furnace will allow SCA to respond to small builds and R&D projects quickly and precisely."

R&D and Additive Manufacturing Heat Treater Adds Vacuum Furnace Read More »

Skip to content