Confluent Medical Debuts Filmcast Select for Tailored Polymer Tubing Performance

Confluent Medical Technologies, Chattanooga, Tennessee, announced the launch of Filmcast Select, a materials customization program that enables medical device OEMs to tailor key performance attributes of Filmcast PTFE and polyimide tubing for specific applications.

The program addresses a growing challenge in minimally invasive device design: as procedures advance and devices become smaller and more complex, the traditional one-size-fits-all approach to polymer tubing is no longer sufficient. Filmcast Select allows customers to select tubing based on the characteristics that matter most, including flexibility, strength, durability, surface finish, and optical clarity.

The program includes several specialized PTFE options: FlexaCast for increased flexibility and elongation, DuraCast for enhanced abrasion resistance, and UltraCast for higher tensile strength in demanding applications. Confluent can also work with customer-preferred PTFE dispersions, allowing OEMs to leverage existing biocompatibility data and reduce development time.

Confluent Medical Technologies is a global leader in the design and manufacture of medical devices and components, specializing in nitinol, polymer, and catheter-based technologies.

Read further here

Ipsen USA Receives New Vacuum Furnace Order from Urschel Laboratories

Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, Illinois, announced a new equipment order from Urschel Laboratories for a MetalMaster HR 54×48 vacuum furnace. The order marks 40 years of partnership between the two companies, with the new unit replacing an original Ipsen furnace installed in 1986.

The MetalMaster HR is designed for high-performance heat treating applications including hardening, tempering, brazing, and annealing in a vacuum or partial-pressure environment. The furnace features a horizontal front-loading design with an integrated high-pressure gas quench system.

Urschel Laboratories, based in Chesterton, Indiana, is a global manufacturer of precision food cutting equipment. The company relies on vacuum heat treatment to achieve the hardness, wear resistance, and dimensional stability required for its cutting components, which operate under demanding production conditions in the food processing industry.

The replacement of the 1986 furnace reflects both the longevity of Ipsen equipment and the ongoing need for modern controls, energy efficiency, and process documentation capabilities in today’s manufacturing environment. Ipsen reported a 45% year-over-year increase in new equipment units sold in 2025.

Read further here

Furukawa Electric named to CDP’s 2024 Supplier Engagement Leaderboard for climate action

Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan announced that it has been named to the 2024 Supplier Engagement Assessment (SEA) Leaderboard by CDP, an international environmental nonprofit organization. The recognition places the company among the highest-ranked corporations worldwide for its initiatives addressing climate change across the supply chain and for its transparent environmental disclosures.

The CDP supplier engagement assessment evaluates corporate actions that promote emissions reduction and collaboration throughout the value chain. This marks the fifth time Furukawa Electric has earned a place on the leaderboard, reflecting sustained progress in environmental management and reporting.

Aligned with its “Furukawa Electric Group Vision 2030,” the company has advanced its ESG-driven management strategy to enhance long-term corporate value. Under its Environmental Vision 2050—first established in 2021 and updated in March 2025—Furukawa Electric is pursuing initiatives that contribute to a carbon-free society. The company also received SBTi 1.5°C certification in July 2023 for its science-based emissions reduction targets.

Furukawa Electric stated that the recognition underscores its commitment to tracking and reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout its supply chain. Future plans include expanding the use of renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric and solar power and continuing energy efficiency improvements across offices and manufacturing plants. The company reaffirmed its goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2050.

Read further here

Constellium advances modular aluminum innovation with ARENA2036 to support next-generation mobility

Constellium, Paris, France announced the successful completion of the FlexCAR project in partnership with ARENA2036, Germany’s innovation campus for future mobility and production. The five-year, publicly funded initiative brought together leading organizations—including Mercedes-Benz, Siemens, Bosch, and the German Aerospace Center—to explore reconfigurable, modular vehicle architectures.

As part of the project, Constellium developed a modular sill structure using high-strength aluminum extrusions based on its HSA6™ alloy series. Engineered to accommodate various powertrains—including battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell systems—the design improves crash safety, lowers carbon footprint, and enables greater flexibility for evolving vehicle platforms. The aluminum extrusions also incorporate a significant percentage of recycled content, aligning with sustainability goals.

The company emphasized that modular design paired with advanced aluminum materials can extend vehicle lifespans, improve adaptability, and reduce environmental impact. The project is a continuation of Constellium’s long-standing collaboration with ARENA2036, following their work on the Digital Fingerprint project, completed in 2024.

In the earlier initiative, Constellium developed a digital twin of an aluminum component embedded with sensors to monitor performance from production through real-world use. Installed in a Mercedes-Benz test vehicle, the smart aluminum housing enabled crash data collection and lifecycle tracking, supporting predictive maintenance and connected manufacturing strategies.

Constellium supplies rolled and extruded aluminum solutions globally, helping automotive manufacturers reduce vehicle weight and improve efficiency. The company noted that ongoing collaborations such as FlexCAR reinforce its commitment to innovation, modularity, and sustainable mobility.

Read further here: https://www.constellium.com/news/constellium-modular-innovation-smart-aluminum-automotive-structures-arena2036

Solar Atmospheres of Michigan expands thermal processing capabilities with new air tempering and cryogenic systems

Solar Atmospheres, Chesterfield, MI, announced the addition of advanced air tempering and cryogenic equipment to its Michigan facility, marking a significant expansion of its processing capabilities. These upgrades support the company’s commitment to offering high-performance thermal treatments for a broad range of industrial applications.

The newly installed equipment includes a large car-bottom air furnace, manufactured by Heat Treat Equipment Inc., with dimensions of 6’6” wide × 4’ high × 14’ long. It features a 30,000-pound load capacity and maintains temperature uniformity within ±10°F across a range of 300°F to 1400°F, making it well-suited for large and heavy components that demand precise thermal control.

Also added to the facility is a DMP “Cryo/Temper Systems” unit with a 42” wide × 60” deep × 36” high hot/cold zone. The system supports cryogenic treatment and high-temperature tempering in a single integrated solution, with temperature uniformity within ±10°F from -300°F to 1200°F.

Bob Hill, president of Solar Atmospheres of Michigan, stated that the new systems are part of a strategic effort to provide customers with greater processing flexibility and to meet the evolving demands of various industries.

These installations represent the initial phase of a broader expansion within Solar Michigan’s new 50,000-square-foot facility, which currently houses 12 production vacuum furnaces. Additional equipment investments are planned as the company continues to grow its footprint and capabilities.

Read further here

Consarc and Vulcan elements commission new strip casting furnace to support US. rare earth magnet production

Consarc Corporation, Rancocas, NJ, and Vulcan Elements, Durham, NC, announced the successful delivery and commissioning of a Vacuum Induction Melting Strip Casting Furnace (VIM-SC) at Vulcan’s facility in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park. This collaboration represents a key step in strengthening domestic capabilities for rare earth magnet production and bolstering U.S. national security and supply chain resilience.

Engineered and manufactured by Consarc in New Jersey, the state-of-the-art VIM-SC furnace is now fully operational and will enable the rapid solidification of Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) alloys. These materials are essential for producing high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, advanced electronics, and defense applications.

Jai Narayan, president of Consarc Corporation, emphasized the company’s role in supporting critical domestic manufacturing. He noted that Consarc’s vacuum induction melting technology is central to reestablishing a secure U.S. base for rare earth magnet production. John Maslin, chief executive officer of Vulcan Elements, highlighted the importance of domestic equipment partners like Consarc in building a resilient and traceable magnet supply chain.

Consarc, the only U.S. supplier of both pilot and production-scale strip casting furnaces, was selected to provide the VIM-SC furnace as Vulcan scales its operations. The partnership reflects a shared mission to revitalize American manufacturing and reinforce supply chain independence in strategic sectors.

Consarc Corporation is part of the Inductotherm Group and brings over 60 years of experience in vacuum and controlled atmosphere furnace technology. Vulcan Elements specializes in the manufacture of permanent sintered NdFeB magnets and is dedicated to advancing innovation and supply chain security for critical U.S. industries.

Read further here

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

Constellium honored with supplier of the year award from stellantis for csr excellence

Constellium, Paris, announced that it has been awarded the Supplier of the Year Award by Stellantis, recognizing the company’s strong commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR). This honor reflects Constellium’s dedication to high CSR standards in both its operations and supply chain, which has earned positive ratings from several international rating agencies. A long-standing supplier for Stellantis brands, Constellium provides aluminum body sheet products and extrusion-based structural solutions for various vehicle platforms across Europe and the U.S.

Constellium’s approach to sustainability has been acknowledged by independent organizations, including EcoVadis, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), MSCI ESG Ratings, and ISS-Oekom. As a founding member of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), Constellium recently achieved ASI Performance Standard Certification for all global operations.

Ingrid Joerg, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Constellium, expressed pride in the award from Stellantis, noting that it underscores the company’s dedication to responsible purchasing and sustainable solutions. The award was presented at Stellantis’s annual event in Turin, Italy, where Maxime Picat, stellantis chief purchasing and supply chain officer, emphasized the critical role of suppliers in supporting Stellantis’s growth through their commitment to quality and collaboration. Constellium, dedicated to delivering sustainable aluminum products, publishes annual sustainability reports to highlight its progress and results in this area

Read further here.

DENSO company and Furukawa initiate demonstration to expand automotive recycling process

Furukawa Electric, Japan and other partners have been chosen by an industry-government-academia collaborative project aiming to expand the recycle content for automobile in the fiscal year 2023 supported by Ministry of the Environment, Japan.

The project, titled “Demonstration of Manufacturing-and-Recycling Integrated Process for Horizontal Cycle Enabled by Automated Sophisticated Dismantling of ELVs, (end-of-life vehicles)” has begun in early March and is scheduled to conclude by the end of January 2025.

In recent years, the automotive industry has sought to transition to a circular economy to achieve a more sustainable society. In the effort, it is necessary to significantly expand the use of recycled materials in automotive products, helping reduce the need for freshly cultivated natural resources.

Read further here.

JM joins the Critical Minerals association

Johnson Matthey, London, has joined the UK’s Critical Mineral Association (CMA), a leading organisation that connects the critical minerals industry with the UK Government. 

As the world’s largest recycler of platinum group metals (PGMs) and a leader in PGM catalytic applications, JM will bring its deep expertise to help inform critical minerals policy development and drive positive change across the critical mineral value chains.

PGMs are industrially extremely powerful and will play a key role in the net zero transition, with applications ranging from hydrogen fuel cells and electrolysers to production of sustainable aviation fuel. And with limited quantities of these critical minerals available, circularity is essential for securing the metal to meet existing and future demand.

JM will leverage its membership of the CMA to educate regulators and other industry leaders about the strategic importance of PGMs and help them navigate the existing PGM supply chain and future landscape. Following publication of the UK Government’s Critical Minerals Strategy, JM will help the government understand the strength of the UK’s position in PGM circularity and the wider network.

Read further here. 

Solar Atmospheres adds Boeing approval

Solar Atmospheres, Souderton, PA, has announced the addition of Boeing BAC-5613 approval for the processing of titanium for Boeing aircraft. With this approval, all five Solar Atmospheres facilities are approved to process Boeing end-use titanium components requiring vacuum heat treatment.

Mike Moyer, vice president of sales for Solar Atmospheres of Eastern Pa facility said that “We are proud to announce this addition to our scope of approvals for Boeing. Solar has unique expertise and capabilities in the realm of processing titanium, and we are happy to gain Boeing’s confidence in that regard. This new approval opens the door for Solar Atmospheres to better serve Boeing’s suppliers in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US, as well as provide overflow capacity for other Solar facilities nationwide.”

Read further here.

Nitrex strengthens global presence in extrusion

Nitrex, Quebec, successfully commissioned two nitriding systems for Alumil S.A., Greece’s largest extrusion company and the leading producer of architectural systems, with an international sales network in over 60 countries worldwide. 

With this collaboration, Nitrex further strengthens its global presence in extrusion profile manufacturing, demonstrating the industry’s confidence in Nitrex’s expertise to optimize die performance, increase the throughput of extruded profiles, and reduce overall tooling costs.

Catering to various sectors, including construction, automotive, energy, and more, and serving as a key exporter to Europe, the Middle East, and the USA, Alumil has recently started up two pit-type nitriding systems installed at separate locations. The first system, an NX-1215 model with a 3-ton load capacity, is operational at Alumil’s facility in Greece. The second system, an NX-620 furnace model with a 1.2-ton load capacity, is located at the company’s operation in Serbia.

The turnkey solution provided by Nitrex includes the exclusive Nitreg® technology, ensuring consistent and superior nitriding results. In anticipation of Alumil’s plans to expand manufacturing capacities in Greece, the system installed at this location has been specially sized up to accommodate future growth.

Read further here

Constellium’s leadership development program receives Silver Award

Constellium, Paris, has received the Brandon Hall Group Silver Award in the “Best Unique or Innovative Leadership Development Program” category. 

This award recognizes the excellence of the Leadership Development Program, a  global learning and development initiative aimed at giving mid-level leaders a broader vision of the business outside of their functions and local market, and to equip them with tools to reflect on their leadership style and inspire their teams. 

The leadership program is a nine-month journey that includes a combination of in-person sessions, virtual individual coaching, team pod sessions, and a 360-degree assessment. 

Entries were evaluated by a panel of veteran, independent senior industry experts, Brandon Hall Group analysts, and executives based on these criteria: 

The 2023 Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards recognizes best practices for initiatives in Learning and Development, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Talent Acquisition, Human Resources, Sales Performance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and the Future of Work.

Read further here

Rolled Alloys celebrates 70 years in the thermal processing industry

Rolled Alloys, Windsor, Conn., is celebrating 70 years in the thermal processing industry. 

The company was founded in 1953 by introducing RA330 as a wrought replacement to cast HT.

Due to RA330’s versatility and availability, it remains the most widely used wrought alloy by commercial heat treaters. Although RA330 exhibits excellent features, there may be better choices for an application. With this being the case, we offer a wide range of heat-resistant alloys to best suit the needs of your application.

Besides this, RA 602 CA is an alloy developed specifically for the highest temperature process, requiring strength and resistance to atmospheres. 

One last alloy worth discussing is RA253MA. RA253MA is a lean, heat-resistant stainless steel with high strength and oxidation resistance. With excellent high-temperature properties and low nickel content, RA253MA is a cost-effective material that thermal processors frequently utilize for open-air applications.

https://www.rolledalloys.com/70-years-in-the-thermal-processing-industry/\

Wisconsin Oven ships curing conveyor oven to aerospace industry

Wisconsin Oven Corporation, East Troy, Wis., has announced the shipment of one belt conveyor oven that will be used for curing polystyrene on aluminum parts for the aerospace industry.

This industrial conveyor oven has a maximum temperature rating of 300° F and interior chamber dimensions of 5’4” W x 8’4” L x 6” H. The recirculation system is designed with a top-down airflow configuration and utilizes a 10,000 CFM @ 10 HP blower. Guaranteed temperature uniformity of ±10° F at 210° F was documented with a temperature uniformity test.

The conveyor system is a continuous belt style and utilizes an Allen-Bradley variable frequency drive that allows for speed adjustments. A digital screen on the control panel door displays the conveyor speed during operation. The oven temperature and conveyor speed are controlled by a Watlow F4T digital controller located on the control panel door with PID control and adaptive turning.

Read further here.

Steel Dynamics named one of America’s best employers for women by Forbes

Steel Dynamics, Fort Wayne, Ind., has been named one of America’s Best Employers for Women for 2023 by Forbes. Steel Dynamics was the only steel producer receiving this designation.

“We are appreciative and honored by this recognition,” said Mark D. Millett, chairman and chief executive officer. “Our people are the foundation of our success and our most important resource. We strive to create a welcoming, open, and inclusive environment. We value our team members, creating meaningful opportunities for growth, leadership development, and career advancement. We believe empowering our people and providing them with the necessary tools for success creates significant value for everyone and will drive our continued success.”

Forbes partnered with Statista to compile the list of America’s Best Employers for Women. Statista surveyed over 60,000 U.S. employees working for companies with a minimum of 1,000 employees. More than 40,000 women were asked to rate their company in areas such as working environment, salary and employee diversity, and then whether they would recommend their company to a friend or family member.

Read further here.

One Minute Mentor: Horizontal Retort Furnace

Gas nitriding and nitrocarburizing processes can be processed with fixed gasifying amounts of ammonia, nitrogen, and, for nitrocarburizing, a carburizing and oxidizing agent. However, this does not produce consistent results if different load surfaces are treated with the same fixed gasifying amounts. Furthermore, especially for nitriding processes, the ammonia gasifying has to be reduced or diluted with nitrogen after several hours because the nitrogen uptake of a load decreases. Another quite popular method, usually called the “Floe process,” is a two-step nitriding, where two different nitriding temperatures and different gas flows allow adjustment of the nitriding potential (KN) to the requirements.

Therefore, modern gas nitriding and nitrocarburizing furnaces are equipped with sensor systems and a process control unit that allow the measurement and automatic control of the nitriding potential (KN). The figure shows a schematic of a typical horizontal retort furnace. Similar to the vertical execution, a good circulation of the process gas is needed to get uniform results, which can be reached by the use of a muffle and a high circulation rate. Indirect cooling is performed with an external cooling fan, blowing cold air along the retort. 

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 24

R Schneider; R. Mesquita; H. Altena; T. Müller; P. Seemann, Processes and Furnace Equipment for Heat Treating of Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014, https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005958

Seco/Warwick furnace to process Jet Engine components

Seco/Warwick, Meadville, PA, has developed a system to perform clean brazing processes in high vacuum as efficiently as possible, ensuring the highest protection of the treated part surfaces. The solution will be used to process jet engine components.

The German Partner carries out comprehensive repairs of technologically advanced jet engines. The company also has a research center which develops innovative repair techniques for various types of components and entire engines. The group employs several thousand qualified employees in various locations around the world and is a leader among companies repairing and providing full service MRO for jet engines. The purchase of a vertical vacuum furnace will improve production processes and significantly increase the commercial heat treater’s efficiency.

Read further here.

Processing of nano-reinforced aluminum hybrid metal matrix composites and the effect of post-heat treatment: a review

A review from the School of Engineering and Technology, India, describes the increasing demand for cutting-edge materials with a high strength-to-weight ratio and economic considerations. Lightweight materials such as aluminum (Al) and its alloys are attractive, but some properties such as low thermal stability and high wear rate limit the application of aluminum alloys (AA) to some extent. Many researchers have developed various composites to get around these restrictions and increase the performance of aluminum and its alloy. Metal matrix composites (MMCs) with nanoparticles have revealed greater mechanical and tribological properties compared with micron-sized reinforcements. This review summarizes the latest developments in this field.

Read further here. 

 

Constellium’s operations in Muscle Shoals and Bowling Green certified by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI)

Constellium, Pairs, announced that it has received the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance Standard certificate for its facilities in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and Bowling Green, Kentucky. This certification, verified by an independent third-party audit, means that the plants operate according to a strict set of governance, environmental, and social standards, including greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity and labor rights.

The Constellium Muscle Shoals plant is a major aluminium cansheet supplier for the packaging market with over 450,000 metric tons of finished aluminium coils per year. The facility also produces aluminium automotive coils, which are processed at the Bowling Green plant. Muscle Shoals’ world-class recycling center is able to recycle the equivalent of 20 billion aluminium cans per year. Constellium’s Bowling Green plant produces flat rolled aluminium Auto Body Sheet products for the automotive market, with a capacity to produce 100,000 metric tons annually.

Read further here.

One Minute Mentor: Fluidized Bed

A fluid bed results when a gas is passed upward through a bed of small solid particles at a rate fast enough to lift these particles and to create turbulence. This motion of particles, which are usually made of aluminum oxide or silica oxide, is similar to that of a fluid, which can be seen schematically in the figure.

When gas is forced upward through small holes in a supporting plate, two forces meet to raise the particles: the buoyancy of the gas and the retarding force known as aerodynamic drag. Objects to be heat treated are immersed directly into the bed of particles.

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 7.

R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014, https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005958

Norman Noble develops higher power system for Nitinol implants

Norman Noble, Highland Heights, Ohio, has developed a high power system to provide the cleanest cut with no HAZ (Heat Affected Zone).

Norman Noble’s vice president of manufacturing, Dan Stefano said, “We are excited to announce the release of our Stealth HP Laser Cutting technology. This state-of-the-art laser cutting process provides for cutting thicker wall Nitinol medical devices HAZ-free while reducing the need for costly secondary operations. This technology, coupled with our fully automated/validated processes, continues to position Norman Noble as a leading contract manufacturer for the production of medical devices and implants.”

Noble STEALTH HP is an ultrashort pulse laser that reduces or eliminates costly deburring and post-processing steps because it can cut with no heat affected zone. These elements increase quality and yield of medical devices. Athermal lasers enable the machining of next generation vascular and orthopedic implants that otherwise would be impossible to produce.

read further here. 

Resonant Link and Cirtec Medical Partner to power the future of implantable medical devices

Cirtec Medical Partner, South Burlington, Vt., and wireless charging leader Resonant Link have announced a strategic partnership to power the future of implantable medical devices.

 By combining Resonant Link’s next generation wireless power with Cirtec Medical’s expert product design, development, and manufacturing services, this partnership is expected to deliver medical device makers the best technology, fully integrated components, and faster time to market.

Cirtec Medical’s neuromodulation platforms give medical device makers a path to
reduce development costs and accelerate time to market. Whether bringing a novel therapy to
market or rapidly moving to a next-generation design suitable for high-volume manufacturing,
Cirtec Medical and Resonant Link have the expertise and resources to help medical device
teams deliver smaller, smarter, and scalable devices that clinicians want and patients need.

Read further here.

Three from Aalberts Surface Technologies included in this years 40 under 40

Aalberts Technologies, Livonia, announced today that Angella Sell, Connor Montgomery, and Chris Pietszak are members of Heat Treat Today’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2023. The Heat Treat Today 40 Under 40 award recognizes rising leaders in the heat treat community who are giving their time, talent, and education to make the industry a great place to work.

Angella Sell, Research & Development Engineer, is a proven leader, having chaired the ASM Detroit Chapter from June 2020 to June 2021. In 2022 Angella received the ASM Detroit Chapter President’s Award for her leadership role during the challenging pandemic years. Angella is the vice-chair of the AFS Cast Iron Research Committee and will assume the role of chair in May 2024. 

Connor Montgomery, Oshkosh Plant Manager, is focused on hiring and retention practices as well on effective communications. Connor is leading major efforts to improve flow, efficiency, and throughput in the Oshkosh plant. He has introduced the use of modern lean tools such as 5S, FIFO, and Supermarkets to reduce unproductive manhours. He is actively involved in the reduction of additional waste within plant processing. 

Chris Pietszak, Quality Manager, is focsed on the implementation of and support of ISO, IATF, and Nadcap as well as CQI-9 compliance. He is a trained ISO and IATF auditor and an MTI YES Program graduate. Chris played an important role implementing the quality systems during the start-up of the Fort Smith facility. 

Read further here

Wisconsin Oven to ship three custom conveyor ovens to the molded-fiber industry

Wisconsin Oven, East Troy, is scheduled to ship three custom dryers to a manufacturer in the molded-fiber industry. The ovens will be used for drying thick-walled paper pulp molded fiber packaging material used in a variety of products. Molded fiber packaging is made of 100% recycled materials, making them an environmentally friendly solution for companies looking to use sustainable packaging and reduce their environmental impact.

These paper pulp drying conveyor ovens are designed with four temperature zones, and each has the sufficient capability to remove 850 pounds of water per hour from the molded pulp. The ovens feature a maximum temperature rating of 500°. The work chamber dimensions are 8’ W x 120’ L x 1’ H. A total of twelve personnel access doors with explosion relief latches are located on the sides of each unit. Each unit also has stainless steel sheet metal and structure on the wet end to reduce corrosion.

The conveyor ovens are designed with top-down and bottom-up airflow to maximize the drying rate of the paper pulp shapes. The flat wire belt continuous conveyor system uses a variable frequency drive that is adjustable from 0-3 FPM. Emergency stop buttons are located at the load and unload sections of each oven for operator safety.

Read further here. 

Lindberg/MPH completes roller hearth furnace system for the energy industry

Lindberg/MPH, Mich., announced the installation of a roller hearth furnace system for a manufacturer of products used in the energy industry. The heat treat system is comprised of two box furnaces with quench tanks, a dual directional load transfer car, four companion draw batch ovens, and two stationary load/unload tables.

The maximum operating temperature of the box furnaces is 1850°F and they are designed for nitrogen-based atmosphere applications. The load space dimensions of the box furnaces are 48” W x 96” D x 36” H, and the internal chambers are larger to provide clearance for baskets or fixtures. A snake chain pusher assembly is used by each furnace to transfer the loads from the chamber to the quench elevator deck.

Read further here.