ALD SyncroTherm compact heat treating system supports manufacture of aerospace parts
April 21, 2017
Source:
ALD Vacuum Systems Inc., Wixom, Mich., has received a purchase order from a North American based aerospace manufacturer for a SyncroTherm brand, fully integrated vacuum heat treating system. This system will primarily carry out low pressure carburizing (LPC), and is the direct replacement for two vintage batch IQ atmosphere carburizing furnaces. Other operations of the system will include austenitizing, vacuum brazing, gas quenching, cryogenic treating, and tempering. This fully integrated, compact heat treating cell will be among the first known captive LPC operations west of the Mississippi.
ALD continues to expand the SyncroTherm presence in the heat treating world with applications for the automotive drivetrain, consumer tool, textile, bearing, commercial heat treating, hydraulics, aerospace and fuel systems markets. This will be the third SyncroTherm to support the needs of NADCAP (National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program). It will be comprised of five independently controlled hot zones, each rated for load sizes of 24x20x9 inches and up to 110 pounds.
SyncroTherm systems operate using recipe-selectable high pressure gas quench, and they incorporate support processes such as cryogenic and temper sequences in a fully automated, lights-out fashion. Individual part tracking and complete process history retention are key functions within the system, along with a consistent process cadence.
www.ALDvac.com
ALD Vacuum Systems Inc., Wixom, Mich., has received a purchase order from a North American based aerospace manufacturer for a SyncroTherm brand, fully integrated vacuum heat treating system.
Continue reading
QuesTek CEO & ASM Fellow Aziz Asphahani elected to National Academy of Engineering
April 20, 2017
Source:
QuesTek Innovations LLC, Evanston, Ill., announces that Dr. Aziz Asphahani, Questek President & Chief Executive Officer and a Fellow of ASM International, has been elected to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering. This is in recognition of his distinguished contributions to engineering: "for executive leadership in STEM education, integrated computer design of materials, and innovation and production of corrosion-resistant alloys." He will be honored at a formal induction into the Academy in October, hosted by the President and Council in Washington, D.C.
Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the highest professional distinctions given to an engineer. It offers the opportunity to serve the nation through participation in National Research Council workshops and report generation on engineering issues of importance (e.g., national security, energy distribution, and education of the engineers of the future).
Dr. Asphahani received his Engineering Diploma in Physics from Ecole Centrale de Paris, and a Ph.D. in Materials Science from MIT. He began his career at Haynes International, where he held positions of increasing responsibility as Corrosion Engineer, Director of Research & Development, Haynes Vice President, and CABVAL President. Afterwards, he served as President & CEO of CARUS Chemical Co. prior to retiring.
His work led to the granting of eight patents, one notable example being the patent for a corrosion resistant, high performance nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy, Hastelloy C-22 (US Patent #4,533,414). Alloy C-22 alloy was extensively evaluated as the outer canister material to contain the nuclear waste for storage in the Yucca Mountain, Nevada. Furthermore, Hastelloy C-22 alloy was used in the restoration of the Statue of Liberty in the 1980's as flat-beams to support the seven spokes of Lady Liberty, ensuring durability and resistance to corrosion.
Dr. Asphahani is the recipient of numerous prestigious honors and awards, including the ASM Medal for the Advancement of Research, the French SF2M Gold Medal, the NACE Education Foundation Founders Award, the ASM Education Foundation Roberts Award, and election as a Fellow in ASM, NACE, and NCER/University of Akron.
His active participation in the ASM Materials Camp initiative, engaged in getting students interested in science and engineering careers, has impacted over 11,000 students and 9,000 school science teachers.
Dr. Asphahani came out of retirement in 2013 to join QuesTek, where he has ensured sustained profitable growth through leveraging core competencies in novel Materials by Design methodologies and Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) technologies. Under his leadership, QuesTek more than doubled its business and expanded into the European market through the establishment of QuesTek Europe AB (a joint company with ThermoCalc Software AB, based in Stockholm, Sweden).
www.questek.com
QuesTek Innovations LLC, Evanston, Ill., announces that Dr. Aziz Asphahani, Questek President & Chief Executive Officer and a Fellow of ASM International, has been elected to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering.
Continue reading
Arconic Very Thick Plate Stretcher enables larger aluminum and Al-Li wing ribs and frames
April 12, 2017
Source:
Arconic, New York, announces that the installation of the Very Thick Plate Stretcher has been completed at the company's facility in Davenport, Iowa. The Stretcher improves the performance of thick aluminum and aluminum-lithium plate in aerospace and industrial applications. The stretching process reduces stress introduced into the plate as part of the manufacturing process, resulting in a part that is more easily machined and processed.
The project was completed on time with an investment of approximately $150 million, approximately $40 million under budget. The investment in the Stretcher is backed by customer contracts, including one with Airbus, valued at approximately $1 billion.
In aerospace, the Stretcher will not only enable Arconic to service the existing plate market, but also will allow airframe builders to make large wing ribs, fuselage frames, and bulkheads in new sizes and thickness. For example, one of the challenges of composite wings as they get larger is strength and stiffness, and the aluminum plate from this Stretcher will allow aircraft manufacturers to make aluminum wing ribs to address that issue. In the industrial market, plate from the Stretcher can be used in manufacturing molds and chambers for applications such as semiconductors.
"This investment was made to expand Arconic's leadership in the aerospace market and create profitable growth in attractive industrial markets," said Arconic Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Klaus Kleinfeld. "The Stretcher allows Arconic to offer a variety of new products: in aerospace, we can now help aircraft engineers push the boundaries of design and performance. In other industrial applications, such as semiconductors and consumer electronics, Stretcher material helps increase productivity and reduce cost. In both cases, Arconic will help create demand that we are uniquely positioned to meet. And making all of this possible is our team in Davenport, who delivered this massive project on time and $40 million under budget."
Arconic's Davenport facility is currently commissioning the Stretcher, and has begun qualifying material for its customers.
www.arconic.com
Arconic, New York, announces that the installation of the Very Thick Plate Stretcher has been completed at the company’s facility in Davenport, Iowa.
Continue reading
Praxair to apply Tribomet protective coatings to Rolls-Royce jet engine parts
March 30, 2017
Source:
Praxair Inc., Danbury, Conn., announces that its subsidiary Praxair Surface Technologies, Indianapolis, has been awarded a ten-year contract by Rolls-Royce to apply its Tribomet abrasive coatings to rotating components in jet engines for wide-body aircraft. The coatings help prevent frictional heating, increase fuel efficiency ,and extend component life. The project, which will begin in mid-2017, will be serviced from PST's coating operations in Indianapolis and Weston-super-Mare, England.
Tribomet MCrAlY coatings are produced by co-deposition of alloyed powders of specific particle size distribution with nickel and/or cobalt from conventional electroplating solutions, followed by a vacuum heat treatment.
"We are proud to extend our relationship with Rolls-Royce, a leading aerospace producer," said Freddie Sarhan, vice president for the Americas at Praxair Surface Technologies. "This is just the latest example of the type of long-term business relationships we develop with our customers to support their business growth in the United States and around the world. It also further builds on PST's long and successful history of serving the aerospace industry."
"We are very pleased to collaborate with Praxair Surface Technologies, a key supply chain partner, to expand our in-state relationships and contribute to the overall growth of the aerospace sector," said Jeff McInerney, Rolls-Royce vice president of supply chain, Americas.
Rolls-Royce is a major aerospace company in Indiana. However, this contract supports coating operations for Rolls-Royce Crosspointe, a facility located south of Richmond, Virginia, which manufactures engine components for its large Trent engine family.
www.praxair.com
Praxair Inc., Danbury, Conn., announces that its subsidiary Praxair Surface Technologies, Indianapolis, has been awarded a ten-year contract by Rolls-Royce to apply its Tribomet abrasive coatings to rotating components in jet engines for wide-body aircraft.
Continue reading
Seco Warwick enables constant control of temperature in multi-chamber heat-treat furnaces
March 14, 2017
Source:
Seco Warwick, Meadville, Pa., announces that its engineering team has designed an innovative way to continuously control the heating and cooling of the entire cycle in multi-chamber heat treating furnaces. The company says that this is a unique technological solution on a global scale that could revolutionize the heat treatment process and exceed the aerospace sector's standards.
"All of our customers set the bar high," says Katarzyna Sawka, Global Marketing Director. "Nevertheless, the aerospace industry sets the bar the highest."
The patented solution, designed to meet the highest AMS standard, is based on thermocouples that move between chambers during the heat treatment cycle. Temperature control is achieved based on a special construction that allows the operator to monitor the temperature in both chambers. This provides full temperature control of the processed parts in multi-chamber vacuum furnaces during the entire process.
The technology has already been successfully implemented in a two-chamber vacuum furnace, the CaseMaster Evolution, which enables precise vacuum case-hardening for the most challenging industries. It has been successful in applications for aerospace, automotive, machinery, wind energy, and commercial heat treating facilities.
In 2016, Seco Warwick received a number of prestigious awards and nominations. The company won the Symbol of Innovation 2016, for implementing research and development projects with technical universities, and for developing an innovative graphene production line. Seco Warwick was also one of the first companies in the world to introduce augmented reality technology into heavy industry (SECO/LENS).
www.secowarwick.com
Seco Warwick, Meadville, Pa., announces that its engineering team has designed an innovative technology for continuous control over the heating and cooling of the entire cycle in multi-chamber furnaces.
Continue reading
Dynacast to acquire Signicast, the world’s largest investment casting manufacturer
March 9, 2017
Source:
Dynacast International, Charlotte, N.C., has signed a definitive share purchase agreement to acquire Signicast LLC, a highly automated and vertically integrated manufacturer of precision investment cast parts. The company is the largest commercial investment casting manufacturer in the world, and is respected for its superior product quality and value, speed and flexibility, and customer services.
Combining the companies' offerings will provide customers even more design freedom, with expanded choices of materials, part complexity, and volume. As part of the merger, Signicast will remain as a separate operating division, ensuring business as usual for customers.
"Given Signicast's complementary manufacturing technology, this acquisition will expand our existing customer offerings and accelerate our strategic vision for growth," says Simon Newman, Dynacast's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "I look forward to working closely with the Signicast team to ensure that the combined company continues to provide our customers with unparalleled technology, quality, and service."
Once the transaction is closed, the acquisition is expected to add over 800 employees from Signicast's two campuses in Wisconsin. This addition will expand Dynacast's footprint to more than 9500 employees in 27 locations. The merger will allow Dynacast to continue growing both businesses, with intentions to globalize the Signicast division in the coming years.
This transformative acquisition is the next step of Dynacast's strategic vision toward becoming a $1 billion-plus organization over the next two to three years, and furthers Dynacast's position as the foremost global manufacturer of precision metal components.
www.dynacast.com
www.signicast.com
Dynacast International, Charlotte, N.C., has signed a definitive share purchase agreement to acquire Signicast LLC, a highly automated and vertically integrated manufacturer of precision investment cast parts.
Continue reading
Meridian, Birmingham City U. partner to cut cost of diecast magnesium parts
Source:
Birmingham City University, England, has signed an exclusive partnership with Meridian Lightweight Technologies, Plymouth, Mich., to showcase magnesium diecast components as viable alternatives for luxury car makers and the aerospace industry.
As part of the new partnership with Meridian, academics from Birmingham City University's Faculty of Computing, Engineering and The Built Environment, and personnel from the company, will be investigating new ways to offer more sustainable goods for low-volume manufacturers, while making production financially viable for Meridian and its potential clients.
The two organizations will work together in the education, research, and development of magnesium applications that will improve fuel efficiency through weight savings and sustainability. At 1.8 g/cm³, magnesium is the lightest of all structural materials, 75% lighter than steel and 33% lighter than aluminum.
Meridian opened its UK facility in July 2003. Today, its Nottinghamshire plant produces around 5000 net metric tons of diecast products annually, serving automotive clients such as Jaguar, Land Rover, BMW, Ford, Honda, and Volvo. However, current magnesium manufacturing processes create the same amount of waste as product, resulting in high cost.
To address this issue, the University has established the Magnesium Innovation Group to investigate ways to add value to the excess material. Some ideas being considered include reacting magnesium with oxygen and water to create hydrogen, which can be used in the fledgling fuel cell industry to power cars and smartphones going forward. Although magnesium is 100% recyclable, currently no plants in the UK can process the waste.
Research findings will be published ahead of a major international magnesium conference, which will be held at Birmingham City University in July this year.
"The strategic partnership we have signed with Birmingham City University is very much a first for us," says Meridian's Randy Chalmers, "but is one which we hope will pave the way for future expansion with the institution as we seek to work together on our shared strengths in fuel efficiency and sustainability."
www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/magnesium
www.meridian-mag.com
Birmingham City University, England, has signed an exclusive partnership with Meridian Lightweight Technologies, Plymouth, Mich., to showcase magnesium diecast components as viable alternatives for luxury car makers and the aerospace industry.
Continue reading
3D printing enables 50% less mass in titanium and graphite satellite structures
Source:
Space Systems Loral (SSL), Palo Alto, Calif., announces that it has successfully introduced additive manufacturing techniques for titanium and graphite structural components into its geostationary satellite platform. The highly optimized strut-truss antenna tower consists of 37 printed titanium nodes and more than 80 printed graphite struts. The strut-truss design methodology is now standard for SSL spacecraft, with 13 additional structures in various stages of design and manufacturing, and has resulted in SSL using hundreds of 3D printed titanium structural components per year.
Its first antenna tower designed through additive manufacturing was launched last December on the JCSAT-15 satellite, which was designed and built for SKY Perfect JSAT, a world leading satellite operator based in Japan. The satellite, renamed JCSAT-110A, has completed in orbit testing and is performing according to plan.
For SSL, optimizing at the system level with additive manufacturing has enabled an average of 50% reductions in mass and schedule for large and complex structures. The savings over conventionally manufactured structural assemblies is much greater than what is possible with the optimization of an individual part.
Since the launch of JCSAT-110A, SSL has completed assembly and testing on several other strut-truss structures and continues to expand its use of additive manufacturing and other next-generation design and manufacturing techniques.
"SSL is an innovative company that continues to evolve its highly reliable satellite platform with advanced technologies," said Dr. Matteo Genna, chief technology officer and vice president of Product Strategy and Development at SSL. "Our advanced antenna tower structures enable us to build high performance satellites that would not be possible without tools such as 3D printing."
www.sslmda.com.
Space Systems Loral (SSL), Palo Alto, Calif., announces that it has successfully introduced additive manufacturing techniques for titanium and graphite structural components into its geostationary satellite platform.
Continue reading
SSI vacuum controller enables complete process traceability for Spectrum furnace
February 28, 2017
Source: ASM International
Spectrum Thermal Processing, Cranston, R.I., recently retrofitted a Super Systems (SSI) Series 9220 Vacuum Controller onto a CI Hayes vacuum oil quench furnace.
Continue reading
Solar Atmospheres adds new furnace with 5×10-6 Torr vacuum and all-moly hot zone
February 15, 2017
Source:
Solar Atmospheres of Western Pennsylvania, Hermitage, recently added a state-of-the-art vacuum furnace with an all-molybdenum hot zone having dimensions 24 x 24 x 36 inches. The all-stainless steel chamber rated at 2500°F is equipped with an oversized pumping system. Unlike other vacuum furnaces, this pumping system has a series of isolation valves that concentrate the critical vacuum levels within the location that matters most – the vacuum chamber.
This furnace was built exclusively for the critical materials often encountered in the aerospace, medical, and semiconductor arenas that are sensitive to vacuum levels and the potential contact of carbon particles. To enhance the unshielded processing of critical parts at vacuum levels lower than 5x10-6 Torr without any contamination, Solar Atmospheres will construct an environmentally controlled room surrounding this furnace. The room will feature tightly controlled temperature, humidity, and positive pressure, which will aid in eliminating water vapor, dust, and debris concerns. New and clean dedicated fixturing will be used exclusively for this furnace, never leaving the premises.
According to Bob Hill, President of Solar Atmospheres of Western Pennsylvania, "This brand new furnace and environs will enable us to guarantee bright clean work while eliminating the safety hazard of handling razor sharp stainless steel foils. Now that this furnace is fully operational, in 2017 we look forward to adding the MedAccred medical accreditation to our ever expanding list of approvals. I would like to thank our sister company Solar Manufacturing for designing and constructing this outstanding, pristine furnace that will enable us to produce parts that will significantly add even more value to our customer's operations."
www.solarwpa.com
Solar Atmospheres of Western Pennsylvania, Hermitage, recently added a state-of-the-art vacuum furnace with an all-molybdenum hot zone having dimensions 24 x 24 x 36 inches.
Continue reading 