NUTEC Bickley secures major contract for advanced ceramic core sintering kiln

NUTEC Bickley, Monterrey, Mexico, announced that it has been awarded a contract to supply a four-car shuttle kiln to a leading global energy technology company. The kiln will support sintering of ceramic cores at the customer’s investment casting facility, with firing cycles ranging from 20 to 80 hours, depending on the core specifications.

The gas-fired shuttle kiln is engineered to operate at temperatures up to 2010°F (1100°C) and features a twin-deck kiln car setting. Each car offers setting dimensions of 47 inches long by 63 inches wide by 34 inches high (1.19m x 1.59m x 0.87m), delivering a total effective load volume of 230 cubic feet (6.55m³) across all four cars. The kiln is designed to handle an average total product weight of 970 pounds (440 kg).

Twelve individually controlled high-velocity nozzle-mix burners—firing in a staggered sequence above and below the load—enable optimal heat transfer and temperature uniformity. Each burner includes automatic ignition and a safety system.

The kiln incorporates NUTEC Bickley’s proprietary IMPS® combustion control system, which provides pulse control across eight independent temperature zones, alternating between high and low fire settings. The system allows programmable excess air levels during different stages of the cycle, enhancing fuel efficiency, process precision, and temperature uniformity without relying on constant excess air. IMPS also includes a cooling mode, introducing air through burners and dedicated nozzles for reduced cycle times.

The kiln’s insulation includes NUTEC’s patented Jointless® ceramic fiber system rated to 2600°F (1425°C), ensuring thermal efficiency and durability. Double-labyrinth refractory and insulation brick seals combined with sand seals reduce heat loss and cold air infiltration.

This project builds on NUTEC Bickley’s longstanding relationship with the customer, which includes the delivery of 15 furnaces and ovens over the past decade to its transformer manufacturing division. The award further underscores NUTEC Bickley’s reputation for delivering advanced thermal processing systems to global leaders in high-tech manufacturing.

Read further here: https://www.nutecbickley.com/

Charging electric vehicles 5x faster in subfreezing temps

University of Michigan engineers developed a modified manufacturing process for electric vehicle batteries—using a stabilizing electrode coating and microscale channels—that could enable high ranges and fast charging in cold weather, solving problems that are turning potential EV buyers away.

Continue reading

Fort Wayne Metals receives 2025 Moving the Needle award for workplace equity

Fort Wayne Metals, Fort Wayne, IN, announced that it has received the 2025 Moving the Needle Award and Bronze-Level honors from the Women’s Fund of Greater Fort Wayne. The recognition was presented at the annual Women in the Workplace Luncheon held on March 12 at the Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation.

The Moving the Needle Award is given to the organization that demonstrates the most notable progress across four areas: leadership, compensation, benefits and policies, and recruitment and retention. The selection is based on data collected through the Women’s Fund’s annual Compass Survey, which evaluates local employers’ efforts toward achieving gender equity.

This year, a record 75 organizations participated in the survey, reflecting growing engagement across the community. Fort Wayne Metals’ recognition underscores its focused efforts to foster equitable workplace practices and support the advancement of women in its workforce.

Read further here.

Pyromaitre delivers integrated heat-treating solution to GKN driveline Mexico

Pyromaitre, Lévis, Québec, announced the completion of assembly for its P-208E oven system for GKN Driveline Mexico, marking a total of four systems delivered to the client. The company developed a fully integrated solution that includes a high-speed tempering furnace, a post-treatment cooling chamber, automated loading and unloading systems, and a smoke collection unit. Each component was configured to meet the customer’s specific production requirements.

Pyromaitre specializes in resolving convective heat transfer challenges with precision and efficiency. The company focuses on driving innovation and operational performance, aiming to be a recognized leader in stress relief and tempering solutions. Its core values—integrity, innovation, customer satisfaction, and teamwork—guide its approach to delivering high-performance thermal processing systems.

Read further:

Confluent Medical Technologies launches ultra polyimide for advanced medical device applications

Confluent Medical Technologies, Scottsdale, AZ, announced the release of Ultra Polyimide, a new high-performance polymer tubing that offers approximately double the strength of conventional polyimide. This innovation is aimed at enabling next-generation medical devices that demand both durability and miniaturization.

Ultra Polyimide addresses the need for thinner-walled tubing that maintains structural integrity, allowing for greater design flexibility and improved device performance. By preserving the inner lumen while reducing material usage, engineers can integrate additional features into delivery devices without compromising mechanical strength.

Jill Ellison, vice president of operations at Confluent’s High Precision Polymer Tubing Center of Excellence, noted that the material enables designers to maintain essential column and tensile strength, which opens up opportunities for innovation in minimally invasive technologies.

The tubing is also manufactured without the use of REACH- or EU MDR-restricted solvents, including NMP (n-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone), a substance identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as posing health risks in industrial settings. By eliminating NMP from the production process, Confluent supports regulatory compliance and enhances both workplace and patient safety.

Ultra Polyimide is now available with lead times of three to four weeks, offering a timely solution to the evolving needs of the medical device industry.

Read further here

One Minute Mentor: Advantages and Limitations of Heat Treatment Simulation

Heat treatment simulation can be a tool for optimization of heat-treatment processes, but at the present this method is still limited. Therefore most HTS is based on rough simplifications of the process. Simplifications can involve the process, number of phases, transformation kinetics, continuums models instead of micro-mechanical models, etc. These simplifications also result in inaccuracies in the calculations.

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 16. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014  https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005980

Bodycote joins energy industries council to expand engagement with global energy sector

Bodycote, Macclesfield, UK, announced its membership with the Energy Industries Council (EIC), a leading global trade association for the energy sector. This move strengthens Bodycote’s strategic alignment with the evolving needs of the industry and reinforces its role as a provider of heat treatment and specialist thermal processing services across power generation and energy infrastructure markets.

Through its membership, Bodycote gains broader access to key industry stakeholders, enabling stronger supply chain collaboration and the pursuit of new business opportunities within the energy sector. The company serves a wide range of EIC members, fostering synergies that support innovation and operational excellence.

Bodycote’s engagement with the EIC supports its commitment to sustainability, particularly in nuclear and renewable energy markets. The partnership enhances customer access to Bodycote’s services via EIC platforms and events, further promoting solutions that improve performance, efficiency, and reliability in critical energy applications.

Read more

Solar Atmospheres expands vacuum heat-treating capacity in Eastern Pennsylvania

Solar Atmospheres, Souderton, PA, announced the commissioning of two additional 2-bar vacuum furnaces at its Eastern Pennsylvania facility. The expansion is aimed at supporting increased demand from the aerospace and industrial gas turbine industries, as well as specialized hydride/dehydride processing of reactive metals such as titanium, tantalum, and niobium.

The newly installed furnaces, manufactured by Solar Manufacturing, feature large working hot zones measuring 45 inches wide by 45 inches high by 72 inches deep. They are rated for temperatures up to 2400°F and maintain a temperature uniformity of ±10°F, meeting the stringent requirements of high-performance heat treatment applications.

Mike Moyer, vice president of sales at Solar Atmospheres, noted that the new equipment, outfitted with the latest control systems from Solar Manufacturing, enhances operational efficiency and safety. He added that this expansion supports the company’s commitment to providing reliable service, competitive pricing, and fast turnaround times to its customers.

The additional capacity reflects Solar Atmospheres’ ongoing investment in advanced thermal processing technology to meet the evolving needs of its industrial and aerospace clients.

Read further here

 

Spray Tips: Phenomena occurring during suspension thermal spraying

The observation of splats obtained after a few passes of the torch over the substrate placed at different distances from the liquid injection enables visualization of those areas where droplets formed after a breakup of the liquid jet injected into the plasma jet, enabling description of the behavior of a slurry droplet within the plasma.

Continue reading

One Minute Mentor: Phase Transformations using finite-element-method (FEM) model.

Heat treatment of tool steels means several phase transformations. Every phase transformation must be described by start amount, end amount, and kinetics (change of phases depending on temperature and time). Start and end amount can be calculated with different thermodynamic software. For example, Thermocalc is well validated for tool steels. All of the aforementioned data are used as input data for a finite-element-method (FEM) model. In any case the first step of simulation models is validation, which means the comparison of experiments and mathematical simulation. The better the input data and the better the model formulation, the better are the results and the fewer loops have to be made for an appropriate model (reference model). This reference model is then used for process optimization. All these steps of model development are illustrated in the figure. 

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 15. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014  https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005980

 

Furukuwa opens new laser processing laboratory in Aichi prefecture to advance industrial solutions

Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, and Nichia Corp., Tokushima, Japan, announced that they have jointly opened the Cutting-Edge Laser Processing Solution Laboratory (CELL) in Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture. Located in a key hub of the automotive industry, the new facility is designed to accelerate the development of laser processing technologies and provide innovative solutions to industrial challenges.

The laboratory is equipped with Furukawa Electric’s advanced industrial lasers, including the newly developed 5kW blue laser (BR5000), which delivers world-leading brightness through optical fiber. Plans are in place to install the full range of Furukawa Electric’s industrial lasers, including the BRACE Series of Blue-IR hybrid lasers, enabling the lab to meet diverse customer requirements and expedite process testing and evaluations.

CELL is a collaborative effort between Furukawa Electric and Nichia, facilitating activities that span laser processing and light source development. This partnership will enable the two companies to propose next-generation laser solutions tailored to specific customer needs, with a particular focus on addressing the demands of copper processing for the electrification of mobility.

Both companies are committed to advancing laser technology and supporting the development of innovative production methods, contributing to the evolution of the automotive and related industries.

Read further here: 

TESCAN Group acquires EXpressLO LLC

TESCAN Group, a.s, Czech Republic, a leading global manufacturer of electron microscopes and advanced scientific instruments, has acquired EXpressLO LLC, Lehigh Acres, Fla., a provider of innovative FIB lift-out solutions for specimen preparation in STEM and other analytical techniques.

Continue reading

Centorr Vacuum names Sean P. Murphy as product manager for laboratory and r&d furnaces

Centorr Vacuum, Nashua, NH, announced that Sean P. Murphy has been appointed as the product manager for its laboratory and R&D furnace product lines. Murphy will oversee more than 30 vacuum furnace lines that cater to laboratory applications across the metals, ceramics, and carbon/graphite/composites industries. His client base includes national laboratories, universities, and industrial customers worldwide who require compact laboratory and R&D equipment.

Murphy brings a wealth of experience to Centorr, having previously served as senior manufacturing manager at Osram Sylvania’s Exeter, NH location, where he focused on micro-LED ceramic automotive products. His expertise spans hydrogen sintering, spark plasma sintering, and annealing, among other manufacturing processes. Murphy holds a bachelor’s degree in materials science from Alfred University and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University and is actively involved in the American Ceramic Society, ASM Heat Treat Society, and Society of Automotive Engineers.

Centorr Vacuum Industries, established in 1954 and currently celebrating its 70th anniversary, is known for its high-temperature vacuum and controlled atmosphere furnaces, with over 7,000 units installed globally. The company’s Nashua headquarters includes a dedicated aftermarket field service team and an Applied Technology Center that provides R&D support and toll production services.

For more information please visit www.centorr.com

Solar atmospheres South Carolina facility earns approval from Parker Aerospace

Solar Atmospheres, Greenville, SC, announced that its facility has received approval from Parker Aerospace, further expanding the company’s capabilities to meet aerospace industry demands. With this new certification, Solar Atmospheres now operates five locations capable of fulfilling Parker Aerospace’s specific thermal processing requirements.

Steve Prout, president of Solar Atmospheres’ Greenville site, highlighted the value this approval brings to customers in the Southeastern U.S., providing them with a local, efficient option for aerospace and defense thermal processing services. He noted that this addition will help customers reduce costs and lead times while ensuring the high quality that Solar Atmospheres consistently delivers. Solar Atmospheres offers comprehensive vacuum thermal processing services, handling loads up to 50,000 pounds and temperatures reaching 2400°F. With AS9100 and Nadcap accreditations, the company maintains rigorous standards to ensure reliable and precise heat treatments, meeting the exacting requirements of the aerospace sector.

Read further here.

One Minute Mentor : Phase Transformations in Numerical Simulation

Heat treatment of tool steels means several phase transformations. Every phase transformation must be described by start amount, end amount, and kinetics (change of phases depending on temperature and time). Start and end amount can be calculated with different thermodynamic software. For example, Thermocalc is well validated for tool steels. The most common method for determining the transformation kinetics of main phases (e.g. ferrite, austenite, martensite, bainite) is to use dilatometric investigations. TTT (time-temperature-transformation) diagrams obtained from dilatometer measurements can be easily implemented in HTS software. An example is shown in the figure. 

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 14. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014  https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005980

Ipsen supports Siemens AG with modernization of high-vacuum furnaces for energy infrastructure expansion

Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., announced that it has successfully modernized its VHFC high-vacuum furnaces for Siemens AG, marking a significant milestone in their shared mission to enhance sustainability and efficiency in energy infrastructure. The project supports Siemens’ strategic efforts to expand medium and high-voltage grids globally, a key component of the energy transition and the broader push for electrification.

As part of this initiative, Ipsen is delivering three new VHFC-1000x1200x1000 (HV) high-vacuum brazing systems to Siemens’ production facilities in Goa, India, and Wuxi, China. The Goa facility will receive two systems, while the Wuxi facility will add one. All systems are manufactured in Germany and are critical to the production of vacuum interrupters, which are core components of switchgears used in power distribution networks.

These vacuum brazing systems play a pivotal role in enabling the switch from gas-insulated disconnectors to vacuum interrupters, effectively eliminating the use of fluorinated gases. This shift significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with global environmental protection goals.

Ipsen’s collaboration with Siemens reflects their joint commitment to supporting the expansion of renewable energy and sustainable energy infrastructure worldwide. The increased production capacity provided by these systems underscores the importance of advanced technology in achieving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

Read further here.

HAI Romania enhances sustainable extrusion production with Nitrex system

Nitrex, Quebec, announced that it has implemented a new nitriding system at Hammerer Aluminium Industries (HAI) Romania, marking a significant step in advancing the sustainability of aluminum extrusion production. This installation aligns with HAI’s corporate commitment to environmental leadership and operational modernization.

HAI Romania, a subsidiary of Austria-based Hammerer Aluminium Industries, operates a state-of-the-art extrusion plant in Chișineu-Criș, near the Hungarian border. The facility features five extrusion presses, including a recently added 10-inch press, and serves key industries such as automotive, construction, and packaging, with strategic access to both Western and Eastern European markets.

The newly installed Nitrex NX-815 nitriding system replaces the traditional salt bath nitriding process. Unlike its predecessor, which generates environmentally challenging waste, the gas nitriding process offers a sustainable alternative. The system utilizes Nitreg® controlled nitriding and Nitreg®-C ferritic nitrocarburizing technologies, ensuring superior and consistent performance while minimizing environmental impact. With a 3,300-pound load capacity, the furnace is specifically designed for treating extrusion dies.

By adopting Nitreg® technologies, HAI Romania eliminates hazardous waste, reduces energy consumption, and enhances the durability of aluminum extrusion dies. This shift not only supports eco-friendly practices but also optimizes production efficiency by eliminating costly post-finishing operations, contributing to the company’s sustainability and operational goals.

Read further here

Kanthal wins e-prize for industrial heating electrification

Kanthal, Amherst, NY, announced that it has been awarded the prestigious E-prize in the energy optimization category for its innovative technology supporting fossil-free industrial production. Organized by Sweden’s leading business newspaper Dagens Industri, Aktuell Hållbarhet, and the energy group E.ON, the E-prize recognizes groundbreaking advancements in energy innovation. This marks the 16th year the award has celebrated industry-leading solutions.

The jury highlighted Kanthal’s ability to combine a 90-year-old invention with modern innovation to replace natural gas with electric heating in high-temperature industrial processes. This transition enables fossil-free production, reducing emissions and improving working conditions. Kanthal was recognized as a global pioneer in sustainable industrial electrification, with applications ranging from steel production to manufacturing solar cells and batteries.

Robert Ståhl, president of Kanthal, noted the significance of the award, stating that the company’s technology allows industries such as steel, batteries, semiconductors, and glass to reduce emissions by transitioning to electricity for industrial heating. Nicolai Schaaf, sustainability manager at Kanthal, added that electrification not only reduces emissions but also supports the broader expansion of fossil-free energy management.

Kanthal’s technology, rooted in a 93-year-old innovation, is designed to electrify high-temperature processes across industries, eliminating CO2 emissions when powered by fossil-free electricity. These processes, integral to manufacturing sectors such as steel, aluminum, glass, and cement, account for a significant share of global industrial CO2 emissions, making Kanthal’s solutions critical for sustainable industrial transformation.

Read further here 

Hours needed to mill forming tools? A thing of the past!

The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, Germany, is pioneering a new approach in fuel cell production by using extreme high-speed laser material deposition to create wear-resistant functional metal layers on low-cost structural steel, replacing traditional milling methods and significantly reducing costs, construction time, and tool wear.

Continue reading