Ipsen ships 15 vacuum furnaces for aerospace, automotive, and energy industries
May 28, 2014
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Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., recently shipped more than 15 vacuum furnaces to customers around the world for a diverse range of applications and industries. Of these recent shipments, several were sent to international customers in Singapore, Japan, China, Hungary, Vietnam and Russia; the remaining furnaces were delivered to sites within the United States. These vacuum furnaces were for the aerospace, automotive, energy, commercial heat treating, and surface engineering industries, to name a few.
This continues Ipsen's long-standing tradition of supporting global growth by engineering thermal processing systems that sustain complex recipes and produce components from simple tools to giant wind turbine gears. The equipment models shipped out included horizontal MetalMaster furnaces, Titan furnaces, horizontal and vertical TurboTreater furnaces, and Titan DS furnaces.
Ipsen delivers custom-built solutions that allow customers to tailor features to their exact specifications. These features include: horizontal or vertical configurations, manual or automatic loading systems, custom load size/configurations, high pressure gas quenching and/or control systems to support any applicable industry requirements. Customers can also take advantage of Ipsen's Global Support Team; they facilitate on-site installation, expert training and start-up assistance from the moment of delivery through the entire life span of your equipment.
In addition, Ipsen also offers customers the opportunity to either send employees to an Ipsen U training or schedule one at their facility, during which they can ask questions about specific equipment and processes, as well as receive hands-on instruction.
www.IpsenUSA.com/map.
Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., has recently shipped more than 15 vacuum furnaces to customers around the world for a diverse range of applications and industries.
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Element Materials lab expands Nadcap accreditation for testing aluminum
May 19, 2014
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Element Materials Technology's laboratory in Daleville, Ind., has significantly expanded the scope of its Nadcap accreditation for aluminum testing in the aerospace sector. The lab achieved Nadcap accredited testing for stress-corrosion cracking, R curve/Kapp panel fracture, exfoliation, and compressive yield strength. These tests are added to high-cycle fatigue and fracture toughness testing, as well as routine mechanical, metallurgical, chemical, and failure analysis.
"Over the last year, Element has invested substantially in Daleville's aluminum center of excellence, adding a dedicated team of ten technicians and machinists, and supporting its development of proprietary, innovative aluminum testing processes with the expertise of the Group's entire global platform, "says Rick Sluiters, Element's EVP, Aerospace and Defense.
"To be Nadcap audited with zero findings for such specialized aluminum testing capabilities makes Element one of an elite few organizations worldwide. It will open up significant new business opportunities, reinforcing the company's position as the largest provider of metallic and non-metallic testing services to the U.S. aerospace industry," Mr. Sluiters added.
Formerly operated by Sherry Laboratories, the Daleville laboratory joined Element as part of the company's acquisition of Sherry in March 2013. It is one of 12 Element facilities in the United States holding Nadcap certificates, believed to be the most held by any independent materials testing company in the country. Between them, Element's laboratories can offer the aviation industry accredited services covering the full range of testing methodology accredited by Nadcap.
www.element.com
Element Materials Technology’s laboratory in Daleville, Ind., has significantly expanded the scope of its Nadcap accreditation for aluminum testing in the aerospace sector.
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ASM Fellow Dr. Pradeep Rohatgi elected Fellow of Wisconsin Academy of Sciences
May 13, 2014
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Pradeep Rohatgi, Fellow of ASM International and Distinguished Professor of Materials Engineering at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, has been elected Fellow of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences Arts and Letters.
Prof. Rohatgi is internationally recognized as a world leader on solidification synthesis of metal matrix composites. He has made fundamental contributions on the interaction between solidifying interfaces and particles, nucleation and growth, and micro-segregation in solidifying alloys in the presence of reinforcements. He also established the mechanisms of solid lubrication by incorporating solid lubricant particles, leading to self-lubricating metal matrix composites.
He followed this basic research with synthesis of several new metal matrix composites, conducting technology and product development that resulted in widespread use of these composites in the transportation sector, electromechanical machinery, and thermal management applications.
www.wisconsinacademy.org
Pradeep Rohatgi, Fellow of ASM International and Distinguished Professor of Materials Engineering at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, has been elected Fellow of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences Arts and Letters.
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Lucifer delivers single-chamber bench furnace for power-generation parts
May 7, 2014
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Lucifer Furnaces Inc., Warrington, Pa., recently delivered a single-chamber bench model box furnace to Power Plant Services, an ISO 9001certified provider of parts and repairs for the power-generation and steel mill industries. Model RD7-KHE24 has a 12 by 14 by 24 in. heating chamber lined with 4.5 in. of multilayer firebrick and mineral wool insulation. Heating elements on the side walls provide 7 kW of power capable of heating to 2200°F.
Heating element coils are equally spaced and fully supported in easy-to-replace element holders to provide uniform heat and long life. Element lead wires are insulated by ceramic tubes through the rear wall brick for protection from electrical shorting and contamination. The box furnace frame is manufactured with heavy gauge sheet steel reinforced and welded to form a rigid unit with a heavy gauge front faceplate designed to withstand warping and distortion from the chamber heat. A rear mounted type K thermocouple assembly is located through the rear wall of the chamber for rapid sensing of the chamber heat.
The Red Devil bench model comes standard with a horizontal swing door insulated with multilayered ceramic fiber insulation with heavy duty hinges and a cam lock to insure a tight seal as well as a safety micro-switch to automatically shut off power to the heating elements whenever the door is opened. The chamber of the unit is fitted with a ceramic hearth plate to support a workload of 25 lbs. per square foot of hearth area. A digital time proportioning temperature controller and all other instrumentation are mounted in a separate control panel on the side of the furnace away from the heat and loading of the chamber.
www.luciferfurnaces.com
Lucifer Furnaces Inc., Warrington, Pa., recently delivered a single chamber bench model box furnace to Power Plant Services, an ISO 9001certified provider of parts and repairs for the power generation and steel mill industries.
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Alcoa to supply aluminum sheet for aircraft fuselages to Spirit AeroSystems
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Alcoa, Pittsburgh, has signed a long-term agreement to supply aluminum sheet to Spirit AeroSystems Inc. in a contract valued at approximately $290 million over five years. Alcoa will provide Spirit with aluminum sheet products for fuselage skins from its Davenport facility, which houses the world's largest and most advanced aluminum rolling mill. Spirit is one of the largest designers and manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial, military, business and regional jets in the world.
On April 8, Alcoa increased its 2014 global aerospace growth expectation by one percentage point to 8% - 9%, on strong demand for both large commercial aircraft and regional jets and continued growth in the business jet market.
"Alcoa produces lightweight metallic solutions that deliver strength, aerodynamic efficiencies, and corrosion resistance," said Mark Vrablec, President, Global Aerospace, Transportation and Industrial Rolled Products at Alcoa. "This new multi-year contract with Spirit deepens our collaborative relationships and enables us to continue to grow in this important market. We are well-established in the aerospace industry and offer the best value and performance to our customers."
Alcoa's aerospace business, which had revenues totaling $4 billion in 2013, holds leading market positions in aerospace forgings, extrusions, jet engine airfoils, and fastening systems produced by its downstream business, Engineered Products and Solutions (EPS), and aerospace sheet and plate produced by its midstream business, Global Rolled Products (GRP). The Company's value-add businesses, comprising EPS and GRP, accounted for 58% of Alcoa's first quarter 2014 revenues and 76% of the Company's total segment after-tax operating income.
http://www.alcoa.com
Alcoa, Pittsburgh, has signed a long-term agreement to supply aluminum sheet to Spirit AeroSystems Inc. in a contract valued at approximately $290 million over five years.
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ExOne qualifies nickel-base Alloy 625 for 3D printing of industrial parts
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The ExOne Co., N. Huntingdon, Pa., announces that its ExOne Material Applications Laboratory (ExMal) has qualified Inconel alloy 625 for 3D printing industrial applications at more than 99% density, utilizing its binder jetting technology. Its machines are said to provide higher volumetric output per unit of time compared with other metal 3D printing technologies, and greater flexibility for simultaneously printing multiple production parts.Inconel alloy 625 is commonly used for components in the aerospace, chemical, and energy markets, with applications including gas turbine blades, filtration and separation, heat exchanger and molding processes.
The metal is beneficial due to its oxidation and corrosion-resistant qualities, and is able to retain its strength even when subjected to extreme environments such as high pressure or wide temperature ranges. It has been qualified for use on ExOne's M-Flex and X1-Lab 3D printing machines.
The company expects to commercialize Inconel alloy 625 around June 1, 2014.
Rick Lucas, ExOne's Chief Technology Officer, commented, "Our qualification of the more than 99 percent dense Inconel alloy 625 further validates ExOne's binder jetting technology as a cost-effective 3D printing industrial solution. We believe that the ability to directly print highly dense metal components increases our competitive edge with both subtractive manufacturers and other metal 3D printing technologies."
ExMal is in various development stages with several metals, including titanium, which has produced excellent results in preliminary testing and printing research. New materials combined with new product designs tailored to 3D printing will create disruptive market opportunities for customers and also expand the addressable market. In accordance with its strategy, the Company continues to be in varying stages of qualifying additional industrial materials approximately every six months.
www.exone.com
The ExOne Co., N. Huntingdon, Pa., announces that its ExOne Material Applications Laboratory (ExMal) has qualified Inconel alloy 625 for 3D printing industrial applications at more than 99% density, utilizing its binder jetting technology.
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Zimmer to acquire Biomet in transaction valued at $13.35 billion
April 30, 2014
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Zimmer Holdings Inc. and Biomet Inc., both of Warsaw, Ind., have approved a definitive agreement under which Zimmer will acquire Biomet in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $13.35 billion, including the assumption of net debt. The merger will position the combined company as a leader in the $45 billion musculoskeletal industry and is aligned with Zimmer's strategic framework, which focuses on growth, operational excellence, and prudent capital allocation.
The combined company is expected to deliver attractive growth by offering a more comprehensive and scalable portfolio of solutions with enhanced cross-selling opportunities. In addition, the combined company is expected to advance innovation to benefit healthcare stakeholders, and stockholders are expected to benefit from a more diversified and predictable revenue mix consistent with the comprehensive portfolio.
Upon closing, the transaction is expected to be double-digit accretive to Zimmer's adjusted diluted earnings per share in the first year. Cash flows from operations are expected to increase by 1.5 times Zimmer's stand-alone estimates.
"This is a milestone combination that brings together two highly complementary organizations and is consistent with our mission to lead the industry in delivering value to healthcare providers, their patients and stockholders," said David Dvorak, Zimmer President and CEO. "The transaction positions the combined company as a leader in the musculoskeletal industry with a broad portfolio of products, technologies and services, enabling us to help shape how solutions are developed and delivered.
According to Jeffrey R. Binder, Biomet's President and Chief Executive Officer, "The combination with Zimmer will prepare us to compete as a stronger entity in the medical device industry of the future. Our combined scale will extend the reach and influence with which we pursue our common passion: delivering products and services that benefit our customers and the patients we ultimately serve."
www.zimmer.com
Zimmer Holdings Inc. and Biomet Inc., both of Warsaw, Ind., have approved a definitive agreement under which Zimmer will acquire Biomet in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $13.35 billion, including the assumption of net debt.
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Ipsen vertical vacuum furnace heat treats flowformed aerospace products
April 24, 2014
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Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, Ill., reports that PMF Industries in Pennsylvania selected Ipsen to manufacture a vertical MetalMaster vacuum heat treatment system. PMF will use this furnace to manufacture stainless steel flowformed products for the aerospace industry. This particular MetalMaster vacuum furnace has a 48 x 84 in. all-graphite hot zone with a 6000-pound load capacity. It utilizes gas cooling to 2-bar absolute pressure and operates at temperatures of 1000 to 2400°F. The furnace also features a 35-in. Varian diffusion pump and Ipsen's CompuVac control system.
The need for a clean manufacturing environment and overall uniform cooling drove PMF to select Ipsen's MetalMaster, which delivers cleanliness and uniform cooling, while also providing a cost-effective, versatile, and adaptable vacuum furnace system. Ipsen equipment is also capable of meeting Nadcap and AMS 2750E applicable requirements.
MetalMaster heat treatment furnaces are available in a wide variety of sizes and configurations, including horizontal or vertical designs and all-metal or graphite insulated hot zone packages. This multi-purpose vacuum furnace series features a specially engineered heat exchanger and turbine blower designed to optimize gas flow for more efficient cooling and excellent temperature uniformity of ±10 °F (±5 °C) or better. In addition to Ipsen's CompuVac control system, MetalMaster offers other high-productivity options, including specialized instrumentation, increased pumping capability, and material handling systems.
www.ipsenusa.com www.pmfind.com
Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, Ill., reports that PMF Industries in Pennsylvania selected Ipsen to manufacture a vertical MetalMaster vacuum heat treatment system.
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Duplex stainless steel yacht is lighter than aluminum
April 22, 2014
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Sandvik Materials Technology, Sweden, has built a prototype stainless steel yacht manufactured entirely of Sandvik SAF 2507 duplex stainless steel. Construction is based on a thin hull with internal ship-length reinforcements. It is lighter than traditional aluminum boats, and consumes half as much fuel. SAF 2507 provides excellent corrosion properties and very high mechanical strength. It is particularly well-suited for service in aggressive environments such as warm chlorinated seawater and acidic, chloride-containing media.
Suitable for service in highly corrosive conditions and where high strength is required, the properties of Sandvik SAF 2507 are being widely used in offshore oil and gas exploration and production, and in heat exchangers in petrochemical and chemical processing. The grade is also a good choice for hydraulic and instrumentation applications in tropical marine environments.
The external surface is manufactured and delivered under license from Outokumpu, while Sandvik delivers the boat's details, such as strip steel for hull reinforcements, welding wire, tubes, and propeller-shaft rods.
www.smt.sandvik.com
Sandvik Materials Technology, Sweden, has built a prototype stainless steel yacht manufactured entirely of Sandvik SAF 2507 duplex stainless steel.
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Vac Aero commissions vacuum furnace for aerospace manufacturer
April 16, 2014
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Vac Aero, Burlington, Ontario, has commissioned a high-vacuum production-scale, 2-bar VAH3436 horizontal vacuum furnace with work zone dimensions of 24-in. wide x 24-in. high x 36-in. deep. It is designed to process aerospace parts under high vacuum and partial pressures with excellent process control, and is rated at a normal operating temperature of 2400°F (1316°C).
The hot zone is comprised of curved graphite elements and the heavy duty hearth is constructed with quickly removable rails of pure molybdenum designed to support a uniformly distributed load of 1000 lb at 2400°F. The vacuum chamber and door are constructed of carbon steel and feature a double-wall, water-cooled design. The furnace operating system is based on Vac Aero's versatile HC900 interactive hybrid control package with SCADA and complete network integration capabilities and remote monitoring and control. The furnace is expected to run at full capacity next month.
www.vacaero.com
Vac Aero, Burlington, Ontario, has commissioned a high-vacuum production-scale, 2-bar VAH3436 horizontal vacuum furnace with work zone dimensions of 24-in. wide x 24-in. high x 36-in. deep.
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