Oxygen-free copper strip produced in continuous casting, rolling, and coiling process
November 30, 2015
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Mansfelder, Kupfer, und Messing GmbH (MKM), Germany, has begun the production of high-purity, oxygen-free copper strip via Conti-M technology, which makes it possible to cast, hot-roll, mill, and coil copper strip in a continuous process. The oxygen-free (OFE) copper contains no elements that can outgas in vacuum, is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat, and is particularly resistant to hydrogen in both natural and industrial atmospheres.
OFE copper is also resistant to stress corrosion cracking. MKM will be offering OFE copper predominantly to customers in the electrical engineering, electronics, and vacuum systems engineering segments, for whom this high-quality copper strip offers exceptional properties. OFE copper not only possesses very good hot and cold forming properties, but also is good for welding and very good for hard and soft soldering.
According to Roland Harings, CEO of MKM, "With OFE copper strip, we at MKM have now begun a quality-oriented expansion of our product portfolio that fulfils the demands of many of our customers. Numerous tests have clearly confirmed that MKM OFE copper strip can offer exceptionally high quality standards and process reliability."
MKM is the only manufacturer in the world to offer copper wire, strips, tubes, bars, and sheets from a single source. In the past year, MKM processed 245,000 metric ton of copper, with a workforce of about 1100 employees. Approximately 1000 customers from 60 different countries place their trust in MKM. This positions MKM as a global premium partner for the electronics and construction industry, solar energy, and systems engineering; and the automotive, aerospace and telecommunications segments.
http://www.mkm.eu/en/
Mansfelder, Kupfer, und Messing GmbH (MKM), Germany, has begun the production of high-purity, oxygen-free copper strip via Conti-M technology, which makes it possible to cast, hot-roll, mill, and coil copper strip in a continuous process.
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WPI team studies how cracks form in aircraft wings and fuselages
November 25, 2015
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Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Mass., announces that a research team will conduct comprehensive testing and characterization studies to understand and monitor how stress and fatigue cause microscopic damage to form in metal components. Specifically, the researchers will study how tiny cracks are initiated and then grow in aircraft components as they are subjected to repetitive strains and stresses similar to those that wings, fuselages, and other aircraft components experience in service.
A new imaging system enables the team to view the initiation and propagation of cracks at the nanometer scale while metal samples are stressed in a servo-hydraulic testing machine. Fatigue cracks can be detected at the surface of samples by imaging and within the microstructure by electromagnetic induction.
With the knowledge gained through laboratory testing, advanced characterization, and computational modelling, the team is looking to develop new lightweight metal alloys that are more resistant to cracking, or in which small cracks are less likely to expand into larger fissures. In addition, they hope to be able to develop algorithms that will make it possible to predict when servicing will be required, based on the state of stress and the rate of crack progression.
Team leader Prof. Diana Lados says the technology can be incorporated into sensors that could be attached to critical components in airplanes to detect and monitor fatigue damage in real time. Currently, aircraft are taken out of service at set intervals to be inspected for fatigue-related cracking. By monitoring aircraft components continuously, and using the predictive algorithms being developed in the Lados lab, it may be possible to schedule aircraft servicing only when needed, which could significantly reduce costs and out-of-service time.
"This technology, with its multiple uses, would bring important advancements to the materials and aircraft industries, contribute to increased safety and on-time performance, and undoubtedly save time and money for aircraft operators and, ultimately, the airlines," says Prof. Lados. "I think this research will go a long way to enhancing the way the aircraft industry views its inspection and monitoring systems."
www.wpi.edu
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Mass., announces that a research team will conduct comprehensive testing and characterization studies to understand and monitor how stress and fatigue cause microscopic damage in metal components.
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Can-Eng receives contracts for continuous mesh belt furnace systems
November 18, 2015
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Can-Eng Furnaces Intl. Ltd., Niagara Falls, Ontario, recently received four contracts for the design, manufacture, and commissioning of its 6000 lb/hour continuous mesh belt atmosphere furnace system. They are designed to provide atmosphere hardening and tempering of high-volume fasteners, and include computerized loading, a mesh-belt controlled-atmosphere hardening furnace, oil quench, pre- and post-wash, and enhanced part tracking.
Furnaces are integrated with a state-of-the-art combustion system that features advanced burner technology. All are fitted with modern radiant tube heating that provides improved efficiencies and reduced emissions.
Can-Eng's Level 2 automation tracks product status and collects detailed process data that is used for continuous process improvement, equipment diagnostics, processing cost analysis, and inventory management.
The systems are fully compliant with the requirements of AIAG CQI-9 Heat Treatment System guidelines.
www.can-eng.com
Can-Eng Furnaces Intl. Ltd., Niagara Falls, Ontario, recently received four contracts for the design, manufacture, and commissioning of its 6000 lb/hour continuous mesh belt atmosphere furnace system.
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Solar Atmospheres breaks ground to house 48-foot vacuum furnace
November 17, 2015
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Solar Atmospheres of Western Pa., Hermitage, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a facility to house its newest addition, a 48-ft long vacuum furnace with a diameter of 6.5 ft. and a load capacity up to 150,000 lb. In the beginning of the new year, the behemoth furnace will be assembled within the newly constructed 18,000 sq. ft. building. The furnace temperature will be uniform to within +/- 10°F (per AMS 2750 E) between the production temperature ranges of 300 and 2250°F with a maximum operating temperature of 2400°F. Rapid vacuum pump down to the low 10-6 Torr range will be attained by utilizing three Edwards booster pumps, three Stokes roughing pumps, and three 35-in. Varian diffusion pumps. Fast and uniform cooling will be achieved by three 300 HP variable speed drive blower motors. Finally, a unique insulation pack will be installed into both load cars, to help reduce normal atmospheric (dew point) contamination.
This $10 million dollar plus project will complement the other large U.S. patented dual bottom load car vacuum furnaces (one 36 ft. vacuum furnace, three 24 ft. vacuum furnaces, and one 12 ft. vacuum furnace) that are currently in production, along with ten mid-size vacuum furnaces.
According to Bob Hill, President of Solar Atmospheres of Western Pa., "It is truly hard to believe that only 15 years ago we bought an empty 16,000 square foot building with a vision to expand Solar's customer base into western Pennsylvania and northeast Ohio. After three building expansions, extensive investment, and hiring 50 extremely talented and dedicated employees, Solar will soon be operating within an 80,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility. The markets served will continue to be primarily quality aerospace and nuclear vacuum heat treating and brazing of large components."
www.solaratm.com
Solar Atmospheres of Western Pa., Hermitage, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a facility to house its newest addition, a 48-ft long vacuum furnace with a diameter of 6.5 ft. and a load capacity up to 150,000 pounds.
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Ipsen furnace enables California Brazing to increase aluminum brazing capacity
November 11, 2015
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Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, Ill., reports that California Brazing recently purchased its third vacuum aluminum brazing (VAB) furnace from Ipsen, to expand capacity and manufacture a variety of aluminum-brazed assemblies. These include cold plates, heat exchangers, waveguides, and antennas, for customers in the aerospace, defense, and semiconductor industries.
The furnace features an all-metal hot zone with dimensions 38 x 40 x 62 inches. It has a 1500-pound load capacity, and it operates at temperatures of 500 to 1200°F, with ±5°F temperature uniformity. It is also equipped with a 35-inch diffusion pump and Ipsen's CompuVac control system.
Featuring multiple individually controlled heating zones, Ipsen's VAB furnaces provide fast cycle times and precise, uniform heating of the workload. In addition, joint-free heating elements eliminate resistance buildup and hot spots.
"There is a growing need for aluminum-brazed assemblies across multiple industries," says Jeff Ager, General Manager at California Brazing. "California Brazing is committed to meeting our customers' requirements by continuing to invest in brazing and machining equipment to further improve capabilities, lead times, and quality."
www.IpsenUSA.com/VAB
Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, Ill., reports that California Brazing recently purchased its third vacuum aluminum brazing (VAB) furnace from Ipsen, to expand capacity and manufacture a variety of aluminum-brazed assemblies.
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Ambrell launches Ekoheat with VPA for improved induction processes
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Ambrell, Scottsville, N.Y., has launched a line of Ekoheat products featuring Versatile Performance Architecture (VPA), which enables a product to integrate into manufacturing systems, or to function as a stand-alone induction heating solution. The Autoscan capability includes easy-to-use functionality to scan a new application and auto-set the starting frequency, and then recommend RF setup parameters.
The products include soft-start circuitry, a safety feature that eliminates the risk of tripping up other equipment when a power supply is turned on. System power is tightly controlled on start-up to minimize transient spikes and electrical noise.
Ekoheat VPA includes a universal printed circuit board that can be used across the entire product line. This means fast availability of service repair and replacement parts, assuring business continuity and long-lasting product life. Regardless of system size and frequency, common PCBs are integrated into the designs. A single board-set addresses multiple systems, thereby minimizing inventory and eliminating model-specific versions.
These products are enabled for remote diagnostics and data collection with industrial Ethernet communication capabilities. In the industrial and automation environment, networking is fully supported using Ekoheat VPA's chosen gateway and includes CIPs (Common Industrial Protocols) such as EthernetIP, Modbus/TCP, and PROFINET protocols.
www.ambrell.com
Ambrell, Scottsville, N.Y., has launched a line of Ekoheat products featuring Versatile Performance Architecture (VPA), which enables a product to integrate into manufacturing systems or to function as a stand-alone induction heating solution.
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Air Force selects Northrop Grumman to build new long-range bomber
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The U.S. Air Force has selected Northrop Grumman Corp., Falls Church, Va., the company that developed and manufactured the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, to deliver the new Long-Range Strike Bomber, which is also to be stealthy. The company has continued to develop stealthy systems, such as the stealthy X-47B unmanned aircraft.
"The Air Force has made the right decision for our nation's security," said Wes Bush, chairman, chief executive officer, and president of Northrop Grumman. "We look forward to providing the Air Force with a highly capable and affordable next-generation Long-Range Strike Bomber."
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide.
www.northropgrumman.com
The U.S. Air Force has selected Northrop Grumman Corp., Falls Church, Va., the company that developed the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, to deliver the new Long-Range Strike Bomber, which is also to be stealthy.
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Titanium strength and ductility grow when large grains are added to microstructure
Source: ASM International
A team from North Carolina State University, Raleigh, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences announces that titanium strength and ductility are both increased when large grains are added to an ultrafine-grain matrix.
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Lockheed Martin closes acquisition of Sikorsky Aircraft
November 9, 2015
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Lockheed Martin, Bethesda, Md., has closed its acquisition of Sikorsky Aircraft, a world leader in military and commercial rotary-wing aircraft. Aligned under the Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training (MST) business segment, Sikorsky Aircraft is now known as Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company.
"Today we are proud to welcome the Sikorsky team to Lockheed Martin," said Marillyn Hewson, Lockheed Martin chairman, president, and CEO. "Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky share a legacy of innovation and performance that has shaped the history of aviation for more than a century. Together, we are even better positioned to provide the best value for our customers, employees, and shareholders."
The acquisition advances Lockheed Martin's commitment to provide its customers with mission-ready solutions that are affordable and efficient, while expanding its core business into the growing areas of helicopter production and sustainment. Sikorsky's ability to leverage Lockheed Martin's scale will ensure that it remains a technology leader at the forefront of vertical lift.
Dan Schultz has been named president of Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company. Mr. Schultz led the integration efforts for Lockheed Martin leading up to the closure, and he previously served as the vice president for Lockheed Martin's Ship & Aviation Systems line of business within MST.
"Dan is a former Marine helicopter pilot and has decades of experience in the rotary-wing segment, including leading Lockheed Martin's helicopter system integration business," Ms. Hewson said. "He brings a wealth of leadership experience and a deep understanding of our international customer base. I am confident he is the right person to lead Sikorsky at this pivotal time."
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, will retain its headquarters in Stratford, Connecticut. The line of business employs nearly 15,000 employees in 11 countries. Its helicopters are used by all five branches of the U.S. armed forces, along with military services and commercial operators in 40 nations.
www.lockheedmartin.com/sikorsky
Lockheed Martin, Bethesda, Md., has closed its acquisition of Sikorsky Aircraft, a world leader in military and commercial rotary-wing aircraft.
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Heat treat 2015 finishes with a “bang!”
November 2, 2015
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The ASM Heat Treating Society Conference and Exposition (Heat Treat 2015) took place in late October in Detroit. The three-day event, co-located with the American Gear Manufacturer's Association Gear Expo, attracted over 7000 heat treating and gear professionals from all over the world, including an equipment exhibition featuring 202 companies in 288 booths. The show featured top-notch technical programming as well as several new initiatives such as live equipment demonstrations on the show floor and a "hot" new social event that lit up the Detroit sky as well as local social media.
The technical program at Heat Treat featured more than 140 oral and poster presentations, including a new Applied Technology track focused on practical applications for operators. Jonn Nebbe, a metallurgical engineer at Eaton Corp., said, "Learning about the academic side of things is nice, but learning practical applications that you can take back to the shop floor? That's what I'm here for."
Attendees also enjoyed a plenary session from Dr. Alan Taub, chief technical officer of the newly established American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute, who discussed the LIFT (Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow) consortium. The conference program also featured an expert-led panel on "New Development and Opportunities in Heat Treating" focused on technology needs and new disruptive technology within the industry. Finally, the popular Master Series lectures educated attendees on specific technical subjects such as the past and future of martensitic steels, bainite transformation in steel, and the Holloman-Jaffe parameter.
Local high school students got to participate in the ASM Materials Education Foundation "Mini Materials Camp" on the show floor during Heat Treat. Eight presenters gave hands-on science demonstrations to over 150 students in the mini-camp, including heat treating bobby pins and paper clips and the principle of diffusion at work in brassing a penny. College students also took part in the free "This is Heat Treat" student program, which included a special 35 and Under Keynote Breakfast and a student networking mixer on the show floor.
On the networking side of the event, attendees had many opportunities throughout the week to meet and catch up with old friends. Exhibitors and attendees were treated to a networking reception on Tuesday evening featuring local brews and appetizers on the show floor, and several refreshment and dessert breaks throughout the week. The main event however, the first-ever Heat Treat social event called "The Heat Is On," was held Wednesday evening at Waterview Loft at Port Detroit. Guests were treated to flame twirlers, local craft beer, and Detroit-style food. The evening was capped off by a fireworks display on the Detroit River, which surprised both guests and locals who happened to catch the show. The "mystery" fireworks caused quite a stir on social media and the news.
Attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors were positive about the direction that Heat Treat is going. "There is a new energy to this event," says Stephen Kowalski, president of the ASM Heat Treating Society and president, Kowalski Heat Treating. "The organizers are doing some exciting things with the programming, and the social event really was above and beyond all expectations and certainly had the local and international media on fire. Even if you have been to Heat Treat before, come again in 2017 – you won't be disappointed."
Chuck Faulkner, Market Development Manager, Heat Treatment & Metal Forming at Houghton International, says that Heat Treat is the must-attend event for the heat treating industry. "This show is one our company doesn't miss. We will be back in 2017."
Heat Treat 2017 will take place in Columbus, Ohio, on October 24-26, 2017. Space is limited and is expected to sell out. To reserve exhibit space, contact Christina Sandoval, global exhibition manager a [email protected] or 440.338.5151 ext. 5625.
The ASM Heat Treating Society Conference and Exposition (Heat Treat 2015) took place in late October in Detroit. The three-day event, co-located with the American Gear Manufacturer’s Association Gear Expo, attracted over 7000 heat treating and gear professionals from all over the world, including an equipment exhibition featuring 202 companies in 288 booths.
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