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

 

Quintus Technologies supplies high pressure Flexform press to airframe manufacturer

Quintus Technologies, Vasteras, Sweden, announced that they will supply a high pressure fluid cell press to France’s LAUAK Group, a Tier 1 supplier to the aerospace industry. The press will be installed at the LAUAK Aerostructures factory in Grandola, Portugal, in September 2023. 

Reaffirming its continued commitment to productivity enhancement, LAUAK selected the Quintus model QFC 0.7×1.8-800 press with high pressure technology to bolster its manufacturing efficiency. “The forming press is undoubtedly at the heart of sheet metal production,” says Mikel Charritton, LAUAK Group Managing Director. “Especially in the context of the current aerospace ramp-up, in particular the A320, A350, and B737 programs, LAUAK’s capital equipment investments are strongly influenced by the imperatives of competitiveness. This press significantly increases and secures our production capacity.” Quintus’s proprietary hydroforming process requires only one rigid tool half, an innovation that not only generates significant tool cost savings but also eliminates several forming operations, intermediate heat treatments, and operator dependencies. 

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One Minute Mentor: Gas nitriding equipment

Gas nitriding and nitrocarburizing can be processed in horizontal or vertical chamber furnaces with refractory insulation. However, to allow a quick change of the atmosphere and to avoid influences resulting from previous processes in the same furnace, retort furnaces are preferred.

To enable an acceptable production capacity, large vertical retort furnaces are used. The figure is a schematic sketch of a vertical retort furnace with a compensator for sealing against the atmosphere. Nowadays large horizontal retort furnaces are also used. Horizontal retort furnaces of different size and execution are preferred for nitrocarburizing processes. 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. Other designs allow direct cooling of the process gas with an external heat exchanger.

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 23

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 to supply a vacuum furnace specifically designed for the MRO industry

Seco/Warwick, Meadville, Pa., will supply a vacuum furnace specifically for the maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) industry. The solution will be utilized for repair solutions for both complex aircraft engines and gas turbines for the energy industry in Hungary.

The furnace on order is a unique solution due to the effective size of the heating chamber. It has been adapted to the AeroSpace Power requirements and has a working area of 1300 x 1000 x 1500 mm. Thanks to this, the furnace can accommodate large components – mainly aircraft parts, as well as gas turbines for the energy sector.

The featured technology on order, in addition to non-standard dimensions, is designed to process work in the presence of two gases: argon (used for partial pressure) and nitrogen, which is used mainly in the cooling process.

Additionally, the furnace will be equipped with a dew point sensor for each of the gases. It is a system which solves one of heat treatment’s very critical operational requirements, which is to control the quality/purity of gas used during the process. Vector also features a partial pressure control system based on three gases (hydrogen, argon, and nitrogen) to help prevent evaporation and sublimation of alloying elements from the load surface during the vacuum heat treatment or vacuum brazing process.

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Solar Atmospheres of Michigan’s relocation charges forward

Solar Atmospheres, Chesterfield, MI, formerly known as Vac-Met Inc., has successfully reached its first milestone in the relocation phase. Solar invested over $5 million of new equipment installed with all new utilities. 

The new equipment includes two vacuum furnaces, an air tempering furnace, and a freezer. As a result, Solar was able to host their first AS9100D audit at the new facility in Chesterfield Michigan. This quality management system audit for aviation, space and defense organizations which incorporates ISO9001 standards passed with zero findings.After purchasing the company one year ago, the goal was to build a new facility with no impact on the existing customer base. 

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Kanthal and Rath announce strategic partnership to expand sustainable industrial heating technology offerings

Kanthal and Rath, Amherst, NY, have announced a strategic partnership aimed at expanding their combined offering in industrial heating technology. This collaboration is set to benefit industries such as steel and petrochemical as they strive to transition to greener practices.

By joining forces, Kanthal and Rath will create the most extensive range of sustainable industrial heating solutions available in the market. Kanthal’s expertise in heating elements and systems, combined with Rath’s premium insulation and refractory products, will provide customers with a unique and comprehensive offering to meet their industrial heating needs.

Robert Stål, president of Kanthal, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to partner with Rath to further expand our offerings in industrial heating technology, enabling societies and industries to make the green shift. In this era of electrification, this partnership will provide our customers with a broader range of innovative solutions that will enable them to optimize their operations and achieve their sustainability goals. Together, we can leverage our collective expertise to deliver greater value to our customers and help them thrive in a rapidly evolving market.”

Andreas Pfneiszl, CFO/CSO of Rath, emphasized their focus on sustainability, particularly in developing energy-saving refractory products and materials for electrically heated furnaces. He stated, “With our strategic partner Kanthal, we will enable customers’ shift towards fossil-fuel-free production.” This partnership aligns with Rath’s commitment to environmentally friendly practices.

Through closer collaboration in developing new technologies and solutions, Kanthal and Rath will leverage their expertise to drive the technology shift that industries like steel and petrochemical are currently undergoing. The joint go-to-market model will provide customers with a comprehensive portfolio of products and services, offering enhanced value and convenience.

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