From the Editor

Ubiquitous science and engineering: We know the heat treating industry has an abundance of scientists and engineers, but National Science Foundation (NSF) statistics shows that science and engineering (S&E) really is all around us. For example:

• In 2003, there were more than 19-million persons having a science, engineering, or related degree in the U.S. (i.e., 47% of all college graduates).
  
• Of the top ten companies in the Fortune 500, eight are headed by CEOs having S&E degrees.
  
• 48% of all top level managers, executives, and administrators having college degrees have science, engineering, or related degrees.
• 22% of artists, editors, entertainers, writers, etc., have science and engineering, or related degrees.

Source: NSF January 2007 Newsletter.

Ed Kubel, Editor
ed.kubel@asminternational.org

Novel Gas-Fired Radiant Tube Technology

A reverse-annulus single-ended radiant tube (RASERT) technology, patented by Gas Technology Institute (GTI), Des Plaines, Ill., and licensed to the North American Manufacturing (NAM) Co. Cleveland, Ohio, is demonstrating benefits in pre-commercial industrial heat-treating applications. The technology is said to increase combustion efficiency and reduce NOx emissions while decreasing maintenance and downtime in gas-fired heat-treating furnaces. More

Steel Industries Launches $12-Million Expansion

Steel Industries Inc., Redford Township, Mich, an Ameriforge Group Co., launched a $12-million capital expansion project with a grand opening celebration held in January 2007. The open-die forging and seamless rolled-ring manufacturer located near Detroit completed the 62,000 square foot state-of-the-art heat-treating and aluminum processing complex to enhance and expand their product offering to current customers and new markets, especially the aircraft and aerospace industries. More

Air Products to Expand Production Capacity

Air Products and Chemicals Inc., Allentown, Pa., plans to expand industrial gas production at its Ashland, Ky., and Reidsville, N.C., facilities to meet market demand from industrial gas customers in these key regions, particularly the oilfield services market and also electronics, metals manufacturing and heat treating, and food processing. The Ashland facility will expand production capacity by nearly 450 tons per day, and the Reidsville facility by approximately 400 tons per day. More

Praxair Raises Product Prices

Gas distributor Praxair Inc., Danbury Conn., is boosting prices by up to 30 percent on several products for its customers in the U.S., effective immediately. The company is increasing helium prices by 15-30 percent, and nitrogen, oxygen, argon, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide by 10-20 percent. Praxair also is raising facility fees and cylinder rental rates by up to 15 percent, while implementing an argon demand charge.

Material Technologies Acquires License for Residual Stress Measurement
Material Technologies Inc., Los Angeles, a company involved in the research and development of technologies to monitor and measure metal fatigue, has acquired Stress Analysis Technologies Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of UTEK, a specialty finance company focused on technology transfer, in a stock transaction. Stress Analysis Technologies holds an exclusive U.S. license for a nondestructive method to measure residual stress. More

ASM HTS EVENTS

Induction Heating Technology & Applications
April 25-26, 2007
Houston, Texas

Heat treating professionals, technicians, and engineers involved in the design of parts that will be heat treated will all benefit from this two-day symposium on the latest technology in induction heating.
www.asminternational.org/induction/

24th Annual ASM Heat Treating Society Conference and Exposition
"Driving the Engines of Change in Manufacturing"
September 17- 19, 2007
Detroit, Mich.

This preeminent event offers a strong technical program and an outstanding exposition, an unmatched forum in which to exchange both practical ideas and scientific knowledge.
www.asminternational.org/heattreat/

OTHER HEAT TREATING EVENTS

Thermprocess 2007
International Trade Fair and Symposium for Thermo Process Technology
June 13-15, 2007
Düsseldorf, Germany

For further information on visiting or exhibiting at THERMPROCESS 2007, GIFA, METEC, or NEWCAST, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Ave., Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601; tel: 312-781-5180; fax: 312-781-5188; e-mail: info@mdna.com; or visit www.mdna.com