TESCAN (Brno, Czech Republic) a leading global supplier of scanning electron microscopes and focused ion beam workstations, and ORSAY PHYSICS, a world leader in customized focused ion beam and electron beam technology, have merged to form TESCAN-ORSAY HOLDING. Cooperating since 2007, Orsay Physics has been the sole supplier of ion beam technology to TESCAN.
Continue readingRevolutionizing transmission electron microscopy
FEI, Hillsboro, Ore., introduced three new systems that tailor the power of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to specific application and industry needs. The new systems launched today provide efficient and effective application-specific workflows for semiconductor manufacturing and scientific research.
Continue readingKronos cell characterization platforms now include embedded memories
Mentor Graphics Corp., Wilsonville, Ore., has expanded the Kronos Cell Characterization and Analysis platform to include embedded memories. The platform quickly produces accurate performance models for standard cells, I/Os, complex cells, and embedded memories within an advanced, integrated environment. The Kronos Platform’s advanced algorithms and efficient job distribution reduces characterization time from weeks to days.
Continue readingAvure HIP presses equipped with quenching furnaces improve mechanical properties
Avure Technologies, Franklin, Tenn., introduces hot isostatic presses equipped with new HIP quenching furnaces. Variable cooling and heating rates and pressure levels make it possible to precisely control the quality and mechanical properties of treated parts. They achieve a “super-plastic” behavior, where only compressive stresses exist, voids and cracks are eliminated, and post-treatment residual stresses are very low.
Continue readingNew kind of microscope uses neutrons
Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, working with partners at NASA, developed a new concept for a microscope that would use neutrons-subatomic particles with no electrical charge-instead of beams of light or electrons to create high-resolution images. Among other features, neutron-based instruments have the ability to probe inside metal objects-such as fuel cells, batteries, and engines, even when in use-to learn details of their internal structure.
Continue readingHubbard Receives 2013 George Bodeen Heat Treating Achievement Award
Mr. John D. Hubbard, CEO (retired), Bodycote plc, headquartered in Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK, is the recipient of the 2013 George H. Bodeen Heat Treating Achievement Award. Established in 1996, this award recognizes distinguished and significant contributions to the field of heat treating through leadership, management, or engineering development of substantial commercial impact.
Continue readingSAES Nitinol actuator elements designed for linear and rotary actuators
SAES Getters Group, Italy, offers SmartFlex Nitinol actuator elements that deliver state-of-the-art performance for reliable shape-memory-alloy actuators. Wires, springs, and components are designed for the specific requirements of any industrial actuator application. SMA wires ensure mechanical action if stimulated with electrical current, enabling the development of simple, compact, and reliable actuators.
Continue readingWooden this be some skyscraper
For HSB Stockholm’s architectural competition 2023, three teams of architects produced innovative proposals for private residences of the future at three different locations in the center of Stockholm. Berg | C.F. Møller Architects are working in partnership with architects Dinell Johansson and consultants Tyréns on their entry. The team chose to build upwards, and has designed a 34-story residential building, which will be seen for miles.
Continue readingAutomated hardening/ tempering system features modular induction heat treating machine
Inductoheat Inc., Madison Heights, Mich., recently shipped a fully automated single-shot induction hardening and tempering system to a major supplier of critical automotive steering components. At the heart of this heat treating system is InductoScan, a heavy-duty, modular induction heat treating machine. This machine is equipped with a built-in power supply, quench containment, and integral heat treating station, drastically reducing its footprint.
Continue readingNew software for eddy current array and bond testing instrument
Olympus Corp., Tokyo, added new software and solutions for the eddy current array and bond testing modules used with the field-proven OmniScan MX flaw detector. To meet the requirements of a broader range of applications, conventional eddy current testing (ECT), eddy current array (ECA), and the new bond testing (BT) C-scan technology are available with the two module versions.
Continue readingTescan introduces high resolution field emission scanning electron microscope
Tescan, Cranberry Township, Pa., will introduce the newest generation FESEM platform MAIA at the M&M show in Indianapolis in August. The instrument delivers high-resolution performance, ease-of-use by design, and throughput for the most challenging materials. It provides analytical and scanning mode flexibility without compromises. Various chamber designs allow full customization for specific application requirements.
Continue readingBodycote receives Nadcap accreditation for facility in Mexico
Bodycote plc, Macclesfield, UK, announces that the company’s facility in Empalme, Northwest Mexico, has achieved Nadcap accreditation as well as prime approvals for Rolls-Royce Aero Engines, MTU Aero Engines, and Pratt & Whitney Canada. The Empalme plant was established to support aerospace OEMs and the local supply chains in Mexico’s rapidly expanding aerospace industry.
Continue readingShape-memory-polymer tooling enables complex composite structures
Spintech Ventures LLC, Xenia, Ohio, a subsidiary of Cornerstone Research Group Inc., Dayton, Ohio, is collaborating with Spirit AeroSystems to develop reconfigurable shape-memory polymer tooling for manufacturing complex composite aircraft structures. Re-formable, reusable mandrels enable production of complex, highly integrated composite structures.
Continue readingBodycote reports six-month revenues rose by 5%
Bodycote plc, UK, reports that revenues in the six months to June 30 rose 5% from $464 million to $488 million. However, revenues would have fallen had it not been for the contribution of businesses it bought, which added 7% to sales. One such business was the mid-October deal for Carolina Commercial Heat Treating, bought for $64 million. Pre-tax profits grew 10.5%, and the interim dividend was increased by 10%.
Continue readingRobotic welding systems for education and training
ESAB Welding & Cutting Products, Florence, S.C., introduced Swift Arc ML (Mobile Learning) System, a new fully-contained robotic welding system for education and training. It is part of ESAB’s Swift Arc series of pre-engineered robotic welding cells offered as complete ready-to-weld units. The robotic education cell is designed to demonstrate, develop, and teach proper welding techniques, robot programming and welding skills.
Continue readingNIST Measurement tool targets the MEMS industry
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, Md., created a new measurement tool to help device designers, manufacturers, and customers see eye-to-eye on eight dimensional and material property measurements that are key to device performance.
Continue readingSolar CEO William R. Jones receives Heritage Award
Solar Atmospheres Inc., Souderton, Pa., announces that its CEO William R. Jones received the Heritage Award at the Metal Treating Institute Fall Meeting in Las Vegas on October 12th. This most prestigious award is given in recognition of the individual’s lifetime commitment to the betterment of the commercial heat treating industry with one or more notable accomplishments. Only nine people in the 78-year history of MTI have ever received this award.
Continue readingCooking up alloy recipes for bone implants
Armed with microscopes, computers and an innovative way to study metals, researchers at The Ohio State University, Columbus, and their partners are building a database of new titanium alloys. The goal is to reduce the stress that pins, plates, and other medical implants put on healthy bones. Project leader Ji-Cheng (J.-C.
Continue readingQuantitative hybrid metrology wins R&D 100 award for NIST
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, Md., has earned a 2013 R&D 100 Award for its development of quantitative hybrid metrology (QHM). This method integrates statistical techniques and measurements made with two or more instruments to rigorously determine the sizes of nanoscale transistor features on semiconductor chips.
Continue readingNovelis Oswego plant expands rolling capacity for aluminum sheet by 240,000 tons
Novelis, Atlanta, has commissioned a $200 million expansion of its rolling operations in Oswego, N.Y. The expansion increases the company’s North American capacity for producing aluminum sheet for the automotive industry by 240,000 tons, five times the company’s existing capacity in the region.
Continue readingPraxair to increase capacity at its Kirtland plant to 300 tons per day of liquid nitrogen
Praxair Inc., Danbury, Conn., has started up a second nitrogen plant at its facility in Kirtland, N.M., to support growing nitrogen demand in the San Juan basin, which includes southwestern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico. The new plant, along with an additional liquefier expansion to be completed later this year, will increase total capacity at the site to 300 tons per day of liquid nitrogen.
Continue readingLight-weight protection for soldiers wins award
Royal DSM, the Netherlands, won the Soldier Technology Award’s Best Light-Weight Protective Product for the Soldier category for their molecular weight polyethylene fiber, Dyneema. It was chosen for its unmatched ballistic performance in body armor combined with its light weight and flexibility for significantly improved personal comfort and mobility. The award was presented to Richard Gunters, key account manager EMEA, at a ceremony in London in June 12.
Continue readingSeco/Warwick commissions ferritic nitrocarburizing furnace for bearing cages
Seco/Warwick Corp., Meadville, Pa., announces that Seco/Warwick Allied, Mumbai, India, has commissioned a ferritic nitrocarburizing furnace for heat treating bearing cages for Harsh Engineers Ltd., India. These systems are designed to increase product uniformity and tribological properties. It is capable of establishing a case depth of 8 to 25 microns with very low porosity.
Continue readingHydraulic press is energy efficient and accurate
Hydraulic press is energy efficient and accurate A new 3500 ton molding machine will allow EVCO Plastics, Deforest, Wis., a leading custom plastics manufacturer, to provide customers with increased efficiency to further advance its large-part production capabilities and provide greater cost savings. The new 3500 ton Engel press is up and running at EVCO’s Oshkosh, Wis., plant, with production orders in the queue.
Continue readingAFC-Holcroft supplies UBQ furnace system for precision forging facility
AFC-Holcroft, Wixom, Mich., announces that Sona BLW Precision Forge, Selma, N.C., has purchased a new UBQ (Universal Batch Quench) furnace and support equipment for its heat treating facility. AFC-Holcroft customized a standard UBQ furnace, typically rated at 3500 lb load capacity, to the 4000-lb capacity the customer required. The new equipment consists of a UBQ integral quench batch furnace with an effective work zone that is 36 in. wide x 48 in. long x 36 in. high.
Continue readingEnlarged heat treating pit furnace is almost 6 feet long, features duplex stainless steel retort
Keighley Laboratories, UK, has enlarged the size of one of its largest pit furnaces, increasing dimensions to 3.6 ft working diameter and almost 5.9 ft max length, in the process gaining 30% in overall capacity. The inner shell or retort is made from duplex stainless steel. At the same time, it has upgraded the lifting capacity of its overhead crane to 3 metric tons. The crane services all seven pit furnaces, a salt bath, and tempering equipment. Enlarging the No.
Continue readingIpsen’s first Titan Temper vacuum furnace delivered to Hansen-Balk
Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, Ill., announces that Hansen-Balk Steel Treating has purchased Ipsen’s first Titan Temper vacuum furnace. It was designed as a dedicated batch furnace for tempering, aging, annealing, and stress relieving, and Hansen-Balk’s tool and die applications were factored into the furnace’s testing. The low-temperature furnace incorporates shared data from both companies.
Continue readingThyssenKrupp Aerospace launches new facility near Marseille
ThyssenKrupp Aerospace, Germany, has moved to a new building at Vitrolles near Marseille, France, mainly dedicated to supporting a major customer in the area. The company will stock materials such as aluminum, titanium, copper, and steel in bars, plates, sheets, rounds, and more. The Vitrolles facility will manage over 20,000 working orders per year, about half of which will be prefabricated in-house prior to shipment.
Continue readingASM International publishes new edition of best selling publication
Understanding How Components Fail, 3rd Edition, Donald J. Wulpi, edited by Brett Miller ASM International, Materials Park, Ohio, is pleased to announce the release of Understanding How Components Fail, 3rd Edition. The 310 page publication adds recent technical knowledge and analysis including the addition of fatigue striation counting, modeling and crack rate prediction; Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) failures; and elevated temperature updates.
Continue readingU.S. Steel introduces coated steel sheet with chromium-free clear emissive polymer coating
United States Steel Corp., Pittsburgh, introduces Acrylume E Plus, a coated flat-rolled steel that has a chromium-free clear emissive polymer coating, and provides all of the quality and performance attributes of Acrylume, with improved thermal emittance. As with Acrylume and Acrylume CF, Acrylume E Plus minimizes staining and discoloration during storage, handling, and installation, and both products can be used in the same end-use applications.
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