Aichelin Group to acquire Nitrex Heat Treating Solutions and UPC-Marathon

Aichelin Group, Mödling, Austria, has signed an agreement to acquire the Nitrex Heat Treating Solutions (NTS) and UPC-Marathon (UPC) divisions of Montreal-based Nitrex. The acquisition aims to strengthen Aichelin’s global footprint in heat treatment systems and expand its technology portfolio with advanced nitriding and process control capabilities.

The strategic move brings together two highly complementary product and service lines. Nitrex is recognized for its expertise in nitriding and vacuum technologies, while UPC-Marathon contributes advanced control systems and process automation platforms. These capabilities will integrate with Aichelin’s broad offerings in industrial heat treatment equipment, enabling a more comprehensive range of solutions for global manufacturers.

Christian Grosspointner, chief executive officer of Aichelin Group, stated that the acquisition marks a significant step in shaping the future of industrial heat treatment by aligning trusted brands and decades of innovation. He emphasized that the combined group will deliver enhanced reliability, energy efficiency, and digitally connected heat treatment solutions tailored to evolving customer needs.

With this acquisition, Aichelin reinforces its focus on innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation. The addition of Nitrex and UPC-Marathon will accelerate the development of AI-enabled platforms such as QMULUS.ai, which help customers optimize operational performance, reduce costs, and improve overall equipment effectiveness across diverse industrial applications.

Read further here. https://www.nitrex.com/en/aichelin-group-signs-agreement-to-acquire-nitrex-heat-treating-solutions-and-upc-marathon/

Ipsen promotes seven field service engineers to senior roles

Ipsen, Cherry Valley, IL, announced the promotion of seven field service engineers to the role of senior field service engineer, recognizing their technical expertise, leadership, and dedication to customer service. The newly promoted team members include Matt Hopkins, Jesse Lawrence, Larry Dahm, Glenn Hawkins, Mike Dawson, Daniel Greifemberg, and Craig Ludewig.

These promotions reflect Ipsen’s ongoing commitment to developing a highly skilled service workforce and upholding the company’s reputation for quality, reliability, and customer trust. Each of the new senior engineers brings extensive hands-on experience supporting industrial heat-treating systems across domestic and international markets.

Lu Chouraki, field service manager at Ipsen, noted that the role of a field service engineer extends beyond technical problem-solving to include communication and professionalism that foster customer confidence. John Dykstra, chief service officer, emphasized that these engineers often serve as the face of Ipsen, and their consistent recognition by both customers and peers speaks to their impact.

Collectively, the promoted engineers have decades of experience across vacuum and atmosphere furnace systems. In their new roles, they will continue mentoring junior technicians, leading complex installations and troubleshooting efforts, and further enhancing Ipsen’s global service capabilities.

According to Chouraki, the promotions not only acknowledge individual contributions but also raise the standard across the organization. As senior field service engineers, they will play a key role in advancing Ipsen’s service excellence and customer relationships.

Read further here: https://ipsenglobal.com/knowledge-center/ipsen-elevates-seven-to-senior-field-service-roles/

Solar Atmospheres adds new 10-bar vacuum furnace at South Carolina facility

Solar Atmospheres, Greenville, SC, announced the installation and commissioning of a new 10-bar vacuum furnace at its Southeast facility. Designed and built by sister company Solar Manufacturing, the advanced horizontal furnace expands the company’s capacity to process large, high-performance materials, particularly titanium and specialty alloys.

The furnace features a working zone measuring 48 inches wide by 48 inches high by 96 inches deep, with the ability to handle loads up to 12,000 pounds. Equipped with a high-efficiency vacuum pumping system, the furnace achieves an ultimate vacuum level of 1×10⁻⁶ Torr, enabling precise processing in clean environments critical for aerospace and other high-specification applications.

Steve Prout, president of Solar Atmospheres Southeast, noted that the new equipment enhances the company’s regional offerings for high-pressure quenching while improving cost efficiency through scale. He emphasized that the addition reflects Solar Atmospheres’ continued focus on innovation, quality, and customer support.

https://solaratm.com/solar-atmospheres-commissions-new-10-bar-vacuum-furnace-in-greenville-sc/

Ilika and Cirtec advance miniaturized medical implants

Cirtec Medical, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota announced a collaborative approach with  Ilika, Southampton, United Kingdom, combining application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) technology with solid-state battery (SSB) innovation to power the next generation of active implantable medical devices (AIMDs). The integration aims to enable compact, rechargeable, and efficient implants for applications such as neuromodulation and cardiac sensing.

The joint solution addresses long-standing design challenges in AIMDs, including limited energy storage capacity, wireless power transfer efficiency, and stable memory retention during low-power or pulsed operating cycles.

Ilika’s Stereax M300 solid-state battery delivers high energy density in a miniaturized footprint, reducing recharge times and extending implant life to minimize the need for replacement surgeries. Cirtec’s ASIC platform complements this by managing power regulation, memory integrity, and startup control, even under variable energy conditions.

By combining these technologies, Ilika and Cirtec offer a scalable and reliable energy architecture for medical device developers, supporting safer, longer-lasting, and more sustainable implant designs that enhance patient outcomes while accelerating product development for medtech innovators.

‍Read further here 

Norman Noble expands final inspection capabilities with advanced 3D optical metrology system

Norman Noble, Cleveland, Ohio announced the installation of a high-performance 3D optical metrology system to enhance final inspection of complex medical implants, including contoured stents and heart valve frames. The new system is designed to measure challenging geometries and reflective surfaces with exceptional speed and precision.

Featuring a pivoting illumination head, the system captures detailed, non-contact surface measurements on parts with small diameters and steep angles. The technology improves Norman Noble’s ability to inspect critical-to-function features and maintain stringent quality standards for its OEM customers.

Annie Wolfe, director of quality, explained that the automated visual inspection platform provides high-resolution data and greater measurement accuracy, supporting the company’s ongoing commitment to precision manufacturing and quality assurance.

The upgraded inspection capabilities allow engineering and quality teams to validate intricate surface profiles with increased repeatability, resulting in faster development cycles, reduced production risk, and improved consistency across parts. Norman Noble stated that this investment underscores its leadership in advanced inspection technologies for medical implant manufacturing.

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Wisconsin Oven ships custom batch oven to leading space exploration company

Wisconsin Oven Corporation, East Troy, Wisconsin announced the shipment of a custom electrically heated batch oven to a major space exploration company. The system will be used to stress relieve titanium components and is equipped with a powered load/unload table to support automated processing.

Designed for a maximum operating temperature of 1,250°F, the oven delivers temperature uniformity of ±15°F at set points ranging from 350°F to 1,200°F. Uniformity was verified through a nine-point temperature profile prior to delivery. The unit features a top-down airflow configuration for consistent heat distribution across the entire load.

The oven can process loads up to 1,200 pounds per cycle. Titanium parts are positioned on a high-strength grid and moved into the 7-foot wide by 10-foot long by 3-foot high work chamber using an automated pusher/extractor system. Post-process cooling is achieved by six high-speed fans that direct ambient air upward over the parts.

The control system includes an Allen-Bradley CompactLogix PLC and industrial PC with a 24-inch monitor. Operators can configure up to 50 custom recipes with 20 programmable steps each and access batch control, material handling, and real-time monitoring from a single interface. Additional features include guaranteed soak control, automatic thermocouple selection, detailed batch reports, and an integrated UPS battery backup.

Wisconsin Oven noted that the system meets AMS 2750G, Class 3, Instrumentation Type A standards. Vice president of sales Mike Grande stated that the oven’s precision temperature control and airflow design enable high-quality processing for demanding aerospace applications.

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Constellium extends supply partnership with Embraer for advanced aerospace aluminum solutions

Constellium, Paris, France announced the extension of its long-term agreement with Embraer to supply advanced aluminum materials, including its proprietary aluminum-lithium alloy, Airware. The renewed partnership will continue to support Embraer’s Commercial Aviation, Executive Jets, and Defense & Security divisions.

Under the agreement, Constellium will provide high-performance aluminum products designed to meet the aerospace industry’s demand for lightweight, durable materials in critical structural applications.

Philippe Hoffmann, president of Constellium’s aerospace and transportation business unit, stated that the contract reinforces the company’s commitment to supporting Embraer’s growth and aligns with its broader strategy to meet increasing global demand for advanced materials in aerospace programs.

Roberto Chaves, executive vice president of global procurement and supply chain at Embraer, noted that the continued partnership is built on a foundation of quality, reliability, and collaboration, and supports efforts to strengthen the supply chain while advancing sustainable growth.

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Fujian Fuwei selects Harper International for commercial-scale carbon fiber production equipment

Harper International, Buffalo, New York announced that it has been selected by Fujian Fuwei Advanced Material Co., Ltd. to supply a commercial-scale carbonization line for carbon fiber manufacturing. The equipment is scheduled for delivery to Fujian Fuwei’s facility in Yong’an City, Fujian Province in February 2026.

The turn-key thermal processing system includes three-meter-wide oxidation ovens, low- and high-temperature furnace systems, surface treatment systems, waste gas abatement, and integrated controls and auxiliary operations. The custom-engineered line is designed to enhance fiber quality through improved oxidation rates, greater temperature and velocity uniformity, and precise reaction control.

This order forms part of the first phase of Fujian Fuwei’s high-end materials investment project, valued at 2.3 billion yuan (approximately $320 million), which targets an annual carbon fiber production capacity of 4,000 metric tons. The long-term plan spans 1,142 acres and envisions scaling to 50,000 metric tons per year.

Harper noted that its technology and on-site support services are designed to accelerate commissioning and reduce time-to-market for new production lines. Company vice president Paul Elwell stated that Harper’s carbonization systems remain a preferred choice for manufacturers seeking to reduce commercialization risk while achieving advanced fiber quality.

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Solar Atmospheres begins installation of advanced titanium drop bottom furnace in Pennsylvania

Solar Atmospheres, Hermitage, Pennsylvania announced the start of installation for a new titanium drop bottom water quench furnace at its Western PA facility. The furnace is engineered for high-performance heat treatment of titanium components, with a maximum operating temperature of 1850°F ±10°F.

Designed to process loads up to 7,500 pounds, the furnace chamber measures 14 feet in length, 54 inches in width, and 48 inches in height. Workloads will be rapidly transferred into a 7,000-gallon recirculated water quench tank within seconds, ensuring uniform metallurgical properties critical to aerospace and industrial specifications.

The installation represents a strategic investment in expanding the company’s titanium solution treating capabilities. Solar Atmospheres stated that the project reinforces its commitment to delivering precision thermal processing solutions tailored to customer demands in high-performance sectors.

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One Minute Mentor: Distortion in Tool Steels

To control the distortion that occurs both during and after heat treatment, proper consideration must be given to such factors as design, composition, initial condition, machining procedure, and heat treatment. The design of a tool-steel part directly affects the susceptibility to shape distortion on heating and cooling. Limitations imposed by the design on composition, machining procedure, and heat treatment may indirectly affect both shape and size distortion.  The figure shows the expected magnitude of shape distortion for this range of sizes. The difficulty involved in economically attaining the final dimensions of a part is largely determined by the magnitudes of the specified tolerance limits. 

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 2.Jon L. Dossett; George E. Totten, Control of Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014 https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.9781627081689

 

Lindberg/MPH ships aluminum melting and holding furnace with integrated preheat hearth

Lindberg/MPH, Riverside, Michigan announced the shipment of a gas-fired reverberatory aluminum melting and holding furnace equipped with a preheat hearth. The system is designed for aluminum parts manufacturing and features a melt rate of 10,000 pounds per hour.

The furnace offers a maximum operating temperature of 1,450°F and has a total holding capacity of 85,000 pounds, based on a density of 155 pounds per cubic foot of molten aluminum. Key design features include a full-width, vertically rising air-operated door for loading the preheat hearth, and a full-width cleanout door at the rear for unloading.

Engineered for ease of use and thermal efficiency, the furnace includes an elevated base, a bottom-mounted magnetic stirring mechanism, and an air pressure pump well for dispensing molten aluminum. This configuration enables consistent operation even after extended idle periods, such as weekends, without significant temperature variation between the pump and the furnace.

The system is equipped with three temperature controllers—one for bath temperature regulation and two for high-limit safety control. Standard flame supervision features include timed forced-air purging during start-up or restart after flame failure, and automatic low-fire shutdown in response to excess or insufficient gas or air pressure, or electrical issues.

Lindberg/MPH noted that the shipment reflects continued demand for advanced, high-capacity aluminum melting solutions with integrated safety and operational enhancements.

https://www.lindbergmph.com/about-us/news/lindberg-mph-ships-aluminum-melting-and-holding-furnace-with-preheat-hearth/

Automotive parts manufacturer in Germany implements Qmulus to advance digital transformation

Qmulus, Finsterwalde, Germany announced that a leading European automotive parts manufacturer has implemented its digital platform to initiate a major transformation in smart manufacturing. This marks the client’s first step toward digitalization, with a focus on enhancing furnace operations through remote monitoring and data collection.

The client selected Qmulus to address a critical need for digital control of industrial belt furnaces, which previously lacked any remote system. The initial implementation connects two key furnace assets to the Qmulus platform, allowing for real-time operational visibility and control, independent of operator location.

The decision to deploy Qmulus was shaped by the manufacturer’s prior experience with UPC-Marathon, reflecting a foundation of trust and established collaboration in the sector. The project is secured through a multi-year Software as a Service (SaaS) agreement, underlining a long-term commitment to operational improvement and scalable technology integration.

Although the implementation is in its early stages, Qmulus stated that the groundwork has been set for substantial efficiency and productivity gains. The company emphasized that this partnership demonstrates its growing role in supporting manufacturers with connected, data-driven systems designed for long-term impact.

Read further here:  www.qmulus.ai.

Quaker Houghton appoints Dr. Arisbeth Rodwick as senior product application manager

Quaker Houghton, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania announced that Dr. Arisbeth Rodwick has joined the company as senior product application manager (PAM) for heat treatment and forging, effective July 14, 2025. In this role, she will support business development, commercial, and application teams in advancing the company’s heat treatment and forging portfolio across the Americas region.

Dr. Rodwick holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical metallurgical engineering and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering with a focus on materials from Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León in Mexico. She earned her Ph.D. in ferrous metallurgy and materials science from RWTH Aachen University, Germany.

Her professional background includes roles at ArcelorMittal Global R&D in East Chicago, Indiana, where she served as senior engineer, and at Liebherr Monterrey in Mexico, where she was head of quality. She also held metallurgical and process engineering positions at Frisa Forjados in Santa Catarina, Mexico.

Quaker Houghton stated that Dr. Rodwick’s expertise will play a key role in supporting the company’s strategic growth in specialized metallurgical applications.

Read further here: http://quakerhoughton.com/

 

Norman Noble receives NTMA Superior Safety award for second consecutive year

Norman Noble, Highland Heights, Ohio, has been honored with the National Tooling & Machining Association’s (NTMA) 2024 Superior Safety Award for the second year in a row. The accolade recognizes member firms achieving exceptional workplace safety performance, and Norman Noble earned this distinction by keeping its incident rate well below the industry average across all advanced manufacturing sites.

The company uses a daily management system to track key performance indicators—such as lost-time claims, recordable injuries, first-aid incidents, near misses, days of restricted work activity, and streaks without a lost-time claim—to monitor progress toward its health, safety and environmental objectives. Julie Bennett Lowry, director of facilities and environmental health and safety, explained that integrating safety observations into daily gemba walks and immediately logging any issues ensures rapid follow-up. Thanks to this proactive process, the firm recorded zero lost-time claims in 2024 and, as of May 1, 2025, has surpassed 1092 consecutive days without a lost-time incident.

Operating over 275,000 square feet of manufacturing space with more than 500 employees, Norman Noble produces precision components for life-saving medical vascular and orthopedic implants. The company said its continued focus on safety underpins both employee well-being and its commitment to maintaining rigorous quality standards.

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Tokamak Energy and Furukawa Electric Group to build fusion magnet manufacturing base in Japan

Tokamak Energy and Furukawa Electric Group, Tokyo, Japan announced that they will establish a joint operational base in Japan to manufacture high-temperature superconducting magnets critical for fusion power plants. The facility will support the Fusion Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (FAST) development project, which aims to demonstrate electricity generation from fusion by the 2030s, under a private-sector collaboration led by Starlight Engine Ltd.

The partnership leverages Tokamak Energy’s network of government, commercial, scientific and academic collaborators in Japan alongside Furukawa Electric’s expertise in REBCO-coated HTS tape production through its SuperPower subsidiary. Beyond fusion, the companies plan to explore applications of their HTS magnet technology in sectors such as data-centre cooling, zero-emission electric motors, power generation and propulsion systems for land, air, water and space.

Warrick Matthews, chief executive of Tokamak Energy, explained that scaling up magnet manufacturing will be pivotal to translating the promise of clean, limitless fusion into commercial reality and will unlock new performance levels across multiple industries. Hideya Moridaira, president of Furukawa Electric Group, added that deepening the collaboration reflects Furukawa’s long-standing commitment to superconducting research and its ambition to support energy and healthcare innovations.

The agreement follows a UK-Japan government fusion partnership announced during ministerial talks in London, underscoring both nations’ strategic push for sustainable, safe and abundant fusion energy.

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Cirtec Medical expands operations in Costa Rica to support growing demand

Cirtec Medical, Alajuela, Costa Rica announced that it is more than doubling its manufacturing footprint in the Coyol Free Zone to meet rising needs in neuromodulation, interventional, electrophysiology and structural heart markets. The 50,000-plus square foot expansion will add extrusion, braiding, coil winding, device assembly and packaging capabilities alongside the company’s existing facility.

The move is expected to accelerate customers’ time-to-market, optimize costs through greater vertical integration and broaden the company’s end-to-end product-lifecycle services, which span research and development in the U.S. through production in Costa Rica.

Cirtec’s chief executive explained that Costa Rica has evolved into a vital hub for high-quality medical device manufacturing, and the enlarged site will deliver faster turnaround and expanded offerings while preserving quality standards.

Costa Rica’s minister of foreign trade noted that the investment underscores the country’s appeal for foreign direct investment, reflecting confidence in its institutional framework, investment promotion policies and stability to host complex global operations. The foreign trade agency’s general manager added that the expansion demonstrates the maturity of Costa Rica’s industrial ecosystem, access to specialized talent and competitive conditions that attract medical-technology leaders.

Cirtec’s local general manager said the additional capacity will allow the team to leverage a highly educated workforce to shorten development timelines and enhance flexibility for customers worldwide.

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One minute Mentor: Numerical Simulation in practice

 The comparison of the change in length, e.g. after hardening and tempering, is the next step in the model validation. The figure shows the comparison in the change in length of the cylinder. In the left part the change in length after hardening with nitrogen and additional tempering is shown; in the right part one can see the effect of a more rapid hardening with helium and additional tempering. More important is the fact that the model very well describes the tendency of distortion with a maximum in the center of the cylinder and higher values for the helium quenching.

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 17. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014  https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005980

Daido Steel launches new vacuum arc remelting plant to meet semiconductor industry demand

Daido Steel Co. Ltd., Nagoya, Japan, announced the successful start of operations at its new vacuum arc remelting (VAR) plant at the company’s Chita site. Developed in collaboration with ALD Vacuum Technologies, the plant is designed to increase production capacity for high-purity stainless steels and nickel alloys used in high-performance applications, particularly within the semiconductor industry.

The first VAR plant became operational in December 2024, with finished ingots now undergoing downstream processing. A second remelting unit is scheduled to begin operation in March 2025, with additional capacity expansions planned over the coming years.

The custom-designed VAR plant, supplied by ALD, enables the production of ultra-clean steel with a homogeneous microstructure, meeting the stringent quality standards required for semiconductor components. VAR-processed materials are known for their durability, purity, and consistency, making them ideal for critical industries.

Daido Steel’s investment reflects a strategic move to support the growing global demand for advanced materials in next-generation technologies. The company continues to position itself as a key supplier in the global supply chain for high-performance alloys.

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Nitrex division G-M enterprises sees surge in aerospace orders amid market recovery

Nitrex, Quebec, announced that its G-M Enterprises division in Corona, California, is experiencing robust growth, driven by renewed demand in the aerospace sector. 

The division recently secured a significant order from a long-standing aerospace customer for a 6-bar vacuum furnace engineered to meet stringent aerospace manufacturing requirements.

This latest order contributes to a strong fiscal performance for G-M Enterprises in FY2025. The division has already doubled its sales of new hot zone replacements compared to the same period last year, indicating a growing market demand and a sharpened focus on customer engagement.

Mark Hemsath, president of Nitrex and UPC-Marathon, noted that the uptick in aerospace activity is a positive development for the company. He highlighted the strength of G-M Enterprises’ California-based manufacturing capabilities and emphasized the importance of longstanding customer relationships in driving success.

With nearly 40 years of experience in vacuum furnace design and production, G-M Enterprises supports a wide range of applications including additive manufacturing, metal injection molding (MIM), and critical aerospace processes. As part of the Nitrex/UPC-Marathon group, the division leverages integrated heat-treating solutions, automation software, and process control technologies.

As aerospace industry demand continues to rebound, G-M Enterprises is well positioned to deliver high-capacity, precision-engineered systems backed by technical expertise and customer service.

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Constellium publishes 2024 sustainability report outlining decarboConstellium publishes 2024 sustainability report outlining decarbonization and recycling milestonesnization and recycling milestones

Constellium, Paris, announced that it has released its 2024 Sustainability Report, detailing progress toward its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals and reinforcing its commitment to building a sustainable, circular economy. The report highlights advancements in aluminum recycling, decarbonization initiatives, workplace safety, and gender equity.

Among the year’s key accomplishments is the opening of a €130 million recycling facility in Neuf-Brisach, France, which increases the company’s global recycling capacity to more than 750,000 metric tons per year. The site enhances automotive and packaging recycling by 75%, reduces annual carbon emissions by approximately 400,000 metric tons CO₂eq, and integrates biodiversity assessments and energy-efficient technologies.

In line with its decarbonization strategy, Constellium also decommissioned its final coal-powered energy source at the Singen plant in Germany. The closure is projected to cut direct greenhouse gas emissions at the site by more than 25% between 2021 and 2025.

Further emphasizing innovation, Constellium completed its first industrial-scale hydrogen casting at its C-TEC R&D facility in July. This pilot project substituted natural gas with hydrogen to produce a 12-metric-ton aluminum slab for electric vehicle applications, showcasing the potential of hydrogen to lower emissions in industrial processes.

The company’s sustainability efforts have been validated through independent certifications. All Constellium operations were certified under the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s Performance Standard v3.0, recognizing best practices in emissions reduction, waste management, and human rights. Constellium also maintained a Gold rating from EcoVadis and an AA rating from MSCI for its ESG performance.

Jean-Marc Germain, chief executive officer, emphasized aluminum’s role in advancing low-carbon manufacturing, noting its recyclability and efficiency in lightweight applications. He reiterated the company’s commitment to delivering sustainable solutions across the aluminum value chain.

Read further here: Constellium’s sustainability page.