One Minute Mentor: Distortion of Ledeburitic Cold-Work Tool Steels

The different effects of steel composition on the dimensional change of plates made of ledeburitic cold-work tool steels and a working hardness of 61 HRC can be taken from the figure. Typical representatives of the new generation of improved toughness 8-9%Cr-steels show slightly higher growth in dimension than the classical 12%Cr-D2 steel. 

The growth in thickness (in the rolling direction) is always significantly higher than in width, confirming again the generally known behavior. Salt-bath heat treatment results in higher distortion than various vacuum heat treatments with high-pressure gas quenching, but the results indicate that there is also a significant scatter for gas quenching depending on the detailed quenching conditions. 

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 12. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014  https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005980

Wisconsin Oven ships composite curing oven to Defense Industry

Wisconsin Oven, East Troy, WI, has announced the shipment of a gas-fired walk-in batch oven to a prominent manufacturer in the defense industry. The oven is designed for curing filament wound composite materials and is capable of processing a 78,000-pound load on a 40-foot long mandrel carried by a load car.

The work chamber measures 10 feet wide, 42 feet long, and 9 feet high, with a qualified work zone of 8 feet by 40 feet by 8 feet. The oven includes a rotation system to prevent drooping of uncured composites during the heating process, offering speed control flexibility through a variable frequency drive.

This oven operates at a maximum temperature of 500°F, with temperature uniformity of ±10°F at multiple setpoints. Equipped with a PLC-based Wisconsin Oven Premium Control System and an IoT system, it allows for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and remote fault diagnosis.

Additional features include split-line construction for easier shipping, two powerful recirculation blowers, interior lighting, and safety-compliant railings and ladder access.

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Ipsen USA launches service HUB Model for improved customer support

Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, Illinois, announced the launch of its new Service HUB model, aimed at enhancing customer support across the United States. The HUB system, developed over the past two years under the leadership of Ipsen Global CEO Geoffrey Somary and currently overseen by Chief Service Officer John Dykstra, is now fully operational across the Midwest and Southeastern regions.

The HUBs are designed to offer quicker response times, with dedicated teams that provide tailored service for customers in close geographic proximity. This model allows Ipsen to optimize service efficiency, reducing downtime for heat-treating operations and improving customer experience.

In addition to benefiting customers, the HUB model also enhances the work-life balance of Ipsen’s Field Service Engineers (FSEs) by reducing travel time. The initiative is led by Lu Chouraki, Manager of Business Development, who emphasized the goal of minimizing response times and improving support for customers facing operational outages.

This strategic shift reflects Ipsen’s commitment to service excellence, offering personalized, regional expertise that both empowers its team and delivers enhanced support to customers.

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Solar Manufacturing ships Mentor Pro furnaces for renewable energy applications

Solar Manufacturing, Sellersville, Pa., announced that it has shipped two Mentor Pro vacuum furnaces to a customer focused on developing advanced renewable energy technologies for large-scale industrial applications. The furnaces were selected after a collaborative process with the customer’s engineers, supported by the Research and Development team from Solar Manufacturing’s affiliate, Solar Atmospheres. The customer valued the furnace’s capabilities and compact design.

The Mentor Pro furnaces feature a molybdenum shielded hot zone, a maximum temperature capacity of 2500°F, and a workload capacity of up to 1000 pounds. They are equipped with SolarVac Essentials, a PLC-based control system, and include an internal gas quenching system with a 50 HP motor and variable frequency drive (VFD), offering flexibility in using nitrogen or argon gas for optimal metallurgical results. These features make the Mentor Pro well-suited for a variety of metallurgical applications in renewable energy development.

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Nitrex celebrates 40 Years of innovation in heat treatment solutions

Nitrex, Quebec, announced that it is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, marking four decades of growth and innovation in the heat treatment industry. Founded in 1984, Nitrex has evolved from a pioneer in controlled nitriding to a global leader offering end-to-end heat treatment solutions. The company’s technological advancements have expanded its capabilities to encompass metallurgy, engineering, process optimization, and automation.

Since 2019, under the current leadership, Nitrex has broadened its portfolio to include advanced vacuum furnaces and introduced technology for improved brake rotor performance. The company has also launched digital platforms such as QMULUS, aimed at optimizing customer processes and boosting operational efficiency.

In addition to its own milestone, Nitrex is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its UPC-Marathon office in Germany, recognizing the long-standing contributions and achievements of its global team. These anniversaries reflect Nitrex’s ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence.

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