Harper International promotes new CEO and COO

Harper International, Buffalo, New York, announced the promotion of Janelle Camesano to Chief Executive Officer and John Schenk to Chief Operating Officer. Camesano, who holds an MBA and PHR certification, has been with Harper for 13 years, rising through human resources and administration roles before assuming the top leadership position. Schenk has been part of the Harper team for over 14 years, most recently serving as Vice President of Operations. The leadership transition reflects an internal succession at the global thermal processing equipment manufacturer, which provides customized furnace, kiln, and oven systems for production of advanced materials including carbon fiber, battery materials, and technical ceramics.

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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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Wisconsin Oven ships electrically heated drop bottom furnace to the aerospace industry

Wisconsin Oven, East Troy, WI, announces that it has shipped an Electrically Heated Drop Bottom Furnace with a traveling quench tank and maintenance platform to the aerospace industry. This system will be used for the solution heat treatment of aluminum parts.

The drop bottom furnace has a maximum operating temperature of 1,100°F and effective workspace dimensions of 3’6” W x 3’6” L x 4’0” H. An OSHA-compliant maintenance platform provides ease of access for personnel to service the equipment. The quench tank has a capacity of approximately 1,700 gallons and includes fluid level control (low, fill, high), a lockable water drain port at the bottom of the tank, and an agitator for water circulation. The traveling quench tank is enclosed with safety fencing for added safety during operation.

This drop bottom furnace is designed with sufficient capacity to heat 600 pounds of aluminum per load and provide a quench delay that does not exceed 5 seconds. The system also includes a slow drop speed program for heating applications that do not require a quench. A video of this system in operation can be viewed online.

“This drop bottom furnace was designed with a 5-second quench delay and a temperature uniformity of +/- 5°F at the set points 850°F and 1,100°F. Additionally, the system was tested to be in compliance with AMS 2750F, Class 1 furnaces, and Instrumentation Type C prior to shipment from our manufacturing facility,” said Mike Grande, Vice President of Sales.

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Constellium’s Muscle Shoals facility receives Department of Defense grant to increase casting capacity

Constellium, Muscle Shoals, AL, announces that its facility has been selected by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for a $23 million investment under Title III of the Defense Production Act to rebuild its Direct Chill aluminum casting center.

The funding was awarded via the Defense Production Act Investments (DPAI) Program, overseen by the Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Program (MCEIP) in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy. Constellium will use the funds to install state-of-the-art casting equipment on the site of a dismantled casting center, adding up to 300 million pounds of annual casting capacity. With this added capacity, the plant expects to increase its recycled input, reduce its use of primary metal, and provide the U.S. industrial base with an additional, self-reliant domestic source of supply for aluminum rolling ingot.

“This investment under the Defense Production Act will enable our industry to meet the rapidly increasing demand for the aluminum products needed not only for our national security but also necessary for the overall U.S. manufacturing sector and a healthy economy,” commented Buddy Stemple, President of Constellium Muscle Shoals. “We are very excited to have this opportunity to partner with the DoD to help strengthen our industrial base.”

Constellium Muscle Shoals is a major aluminum sheet supplier for the packaging and automotive markets. The plant has the capacity to produce over 1 billion pounds per year of finished aluminum coils. Muscle Shoals also operates a world-class recycling center able to recycle the equivalent of 20 billion aluminum cans per year.

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The aviation industry chooses Seco/Warwick vacuum furnaces

Seco/Warwick, Meadville, PA announced that their previous furnace with an aviation industry client will be retired and replaced by a new, economical, and versatile furnace for brazing jet engine parts.

Seco/Warwick has been a recognized metal heat treatment equipment manufacturer for decades. In fact in many plants, units were manufactured in the 1980s and 1990s. The partners are gradually replacing these units with modern solutions, continuing to be loyal to the SECO/WARWICK brand.

“The aviation industry is a very important partner that has been cooperating with Seco/Warwick for decades. This is proof of satisfaction with the products we create, but also an expression of trust. Long-term, strategic, good relationships are key. Our furnaces are designed to operate without failure for many, many years, as evidenced by the replacement of this furnace after so many years,” said Maciej Korecki, vice president of the Vacuum Furnaces Segment at Seco/Warwick Group.

The new solution is based on a standard Vector vacuum furnace with a working space of 900x900x1200 mm, equipped with screen insulation and metal heating elements. It has been specifically adapted to meet the unique needs of the aviation industry, capable of heat treating complex jet engine components such as gears and main shafts.

This latest advancement underscores Seco/Warwick’s dedication to innovation and excellence, ensuring their continued partnership with the aviation industry for years to come.

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Preparation and high-temperature oxidation resistance of zirconium alloys

Researchers from the National Engineering Research Center for Instrument Functional Materials and Chongqing University, both in Chongqing, China, have highlighted the pivotal role of zirconium alloys in nuclear power systems. Their latest paper reviews the significant advancements in coating technologies for zirconium alloy fuel cladding, a crucial component in nuclear reactors. The study discusses various preparation methods, types of coatings, and their efficacy in resisting high-temperature oxidation—a key challenge for fuel cladding materials. This comprehensive review aims to serve as a critical reference in advancing the surface coating technology of fuel cladding zirconium alloys, promising enhanced performance and safety in nuclear power applications.

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Nitrex announces second endoflex generator order from South American automotive company

Nitrex, Quebec, announced that an automotive company in South America has placed a follow-up order for a second EndoFlex generator from UPC-Marathon, a Nitrex company. Following the successful installation of a 200 m³/h EndoFlex unit last year, the new generator, with a similar capacity, aims to enhance stability, ensure consistent composition and gas flows, and prioritize top-tier quality in automotive gear boxes while achieving efficiencies in heat treatment operations.

Before adopting the EndoFlex solution, the manufacturer relied on four outdated generator units, each with a capacity of 70 m³/h and consuming 80 kW of power. Remarkably, with the same 80 kW of power consumption, the EndoFlex generator delivers an impressive 200 m³/h capacity. This transition represents not only a remarkable 75% reduction in power consumption but also a significant boost in efficiency and cost-effectiveness for the customer.

The shift to EndoFlex also signifies a substantial contribution to operational efficiency and sustainability efforts. The new generator streamlines maintenance procedures, adheres to stringent quality standards, and reduces CO2 emissions. EndoFlex’s precision control over gas quality and production for the neutral hardening furnace enhances product quality, reduces operating costs, and optimizes energy consumption. By automatically adjusting gas production to match real-time furnace demand, EndoFlex effectively eliminates overproduction and waste.

This order underscores the automotive company’s commitment to leveraging advanced technologies for enhanced productivity and sustainability in their operations.

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Nextracker and JM Steel expand Pennsylvania facility to boost U.S. solar energy supply chain

Nextracker, Philadelphia, PA, has announced a major expansion at their Leetsdale, Pennsylvania steel facility, in collaboration with JENNMAR subsidiary JM Steel. This expansion has successfully tripled the factory’s capacity to support the growing demand for solar energy in Pennsylvania and the broader mid-Atlantic region.

The Leetsdale facility, originally built during World War II to produce materials for tank landing ships, has been transformed into a state-of-the-art manufacturing hub for critical steel components needed for solar projects. With the completion of the latest enhancements, the facility now boasts a production capacity of 4 GW, significantly bolstering the U.S. supply chain for renewable energy.

The expansion not only increases the facility’s output but also underscores JENNMAR’s commitment to the solar energy sector, with investments surpassing $100 million over the past four years. Tony Calandra, CEO of JENNMAR, highlighted the historic nature of the site and its significance to the community, “We are proud to announce the expansion of this historic steel factory in Pittsburgh—which we have been honored to call our home for more than 100 years. This partnership with Nextracker allows for significant investment in advanced manufacturing and brings high-quality jobs back to our communities.”

The project has created 60 new manufacturing jobs and is a key component of Nextracker’s strategy to enhance its U.S. manufacturing footprint, which has seen the company add 20 new or expanded U.S. manufacturing facilities since 2021. The expanded capacity allows Nextracker to supply over 25 GW of U.S. solar tracker capacity annually.

The expansion represents a strategic step towards securing a robust U.S. supply chain in solar energy, critical to meeting the energy demands of the future and enhancing the economic and environmental health of the region.

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ACME spearheads eco-friendly transition in district heating across the EU

ACME, Canada, is spearheading the Eurpean Union’s transition from fossil fuel systems to advanced, high-efficiency electrode boilers. This transition not only promises a significant reduction in carbon emissions but also enhances the energy efficiency of district heating networks across the EU.

District heating, crucial for centralized heat generation and distribution in urban areas, is undergoing a transformation with the installation of cutting-edge electrode boilers. These boilers are praised for their ability to operate on electricity derived from renewable sources such as solar, wind, and hydro power, marking a significant step towards sustainable energy use.

Robert Presser, vice president of Acme Engineering, explains the technological superiority of electrode boilers, “Unlike traditional gas or oil-fired boilers, electrode boilers can achieve full capacity in about 90 seconds with a 100% turndown ratio, ensuring that no energy is wasted. This rapid responsiveness, coupled with the absence of combustion, makes these boilers highly efficient and environmentally friendly.”

The electrode boilers utilized in these upgrades, such as Acme’s CEJS and CEJW models, are capable of converting nearly 100% of electrical energy into heat, eliminating losses typically associated with stack or heat transfer. With capacities ranging from 6MW to 68MW, these boilers are designed to meet the rigorous demands of large-scale heating needs while occupying minimal space.

Presser also highlights the economic and operational benefits of these boilers, “Electrode boilers are not only cleaner but also more compact and easier to install compared to conventional systems. They require fewer components and minimal maintenance, reducing long-term costs and enhancing reliability.”

EU municipalities and businesses are increasingly recognizing the value of integrating these advanced technologies into their district heating frameworks. As the effects of climate change intensify, the shift towards these efficient, renewable-energy-powered systems is seen as critical in meeting both current and future energy needs while adhering to stringent decarbonization targets.

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Solar Atmospheres of Michigan achieves Nadcap accreditation for laboratory

Solar Atmospheres, Chesterfield, MI, has successfully achieved Nadcap AC7101/4 accreditation for their captive metallography laboratory. 

 

The accreditation will allow the Chesterfield plant to continue testing for microhardness, surface contamination, intergranular oxidation and grain size which were all previously completed at the Warren facility. In addition to continued testing capabilities, the addition of new metallographic preparation equipment and metallography software will expand Chesterfield’s R&D capabilities and assist in new product development.

Plant metallurgist Greg Scheuring states, “This was the next step in moving operations from Warren to Chesterfield. To limit downtime and maintain on-time delivery, we gave ourselves a week to make the move and conduct the audit. It was an extremely abbreviated time for such a task but personnel at both facilities pulled together to make it happen. Now the audit is complete with no findings, and we are back up and running. Stellar teamwork all around!”

 

https://solaratm.com/solar-atmospheres-of-michigan-achieves-nadcap-accreditation-for-laboratory/