IBC Advanced Alloys to collaborate with Nu-Cast on Be-Al investment casting projects for aerospace
February 12, 2014
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IBC Advanced Alloys Corp., Vancouver, has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Nu-Cast Inc., Londonderry, N.H., to collaborate on new beryllium-aluminum investment casting projects and opportunities, initially for the aerospace sector. The goal is to increase manufacturing capacity and improve production efficiencies of IBC's proprietary near-net-shape beryllium-aluminum castings.
The two companies have identified opportunities for beryllium aluminum castings to support future growth. Nu-Cast has extensive experience with aluminum investment castings that will complement IBC's beryllium aluminum casting expertise. Pursuant to the MOU, the parties will initially evaluate and develop opportunities to expand IB-EMC's proprietary Beralcast alloys for aerospace applications.
The parties will also focus on joint business development initiatives aimed at increasing market share for IBC's castings, which offer significant cost savings and improved delivery times compared to the existing production methods.
"Nu-Cast has successfully served the aerospace sector for almost three decades and is an excellent complement to IBC's technology and corporate vision," said Don McKitterick, President of Nu-Cast. "By combining IBC's propriety and cost effective castings with Nu-Cast's manufacturing and marketing experience, we believe there is enormous potential for growth and we look forward to working with IBC on this opportunity."
Beralcast alloys can be used in virtually any high performance application requiring complex, lightweight and high-stiffness parts and can be substituted for aluminum, magnesium, titanium, metal matrix composites as well as pure beryllium or powder metallurgy beryllium-aluminum. Beralcast's principal alloys are more than three times stiffer than aluminum with 22% less weight and can be precision-cast for simple and complex three-dimensional stability. These high-modulus alloys are ideal for high-performance industrial and high-tech components, as well as for a wide range of aerospace applications.
www.ibcadvancedalloys.com
IBC Advanced Alloys Corp., Vancouver, has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Nu-Cast Inc., Londonderry, N.H., to collaborate on new beryllium-aluminum investment casting projects and opportunities, initially for the aerospace sector.
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Aluminum products producer Aleris acquires sheet producer Nichols Aluminum
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Aleris, Cleveland, Ohio, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Nichols Aluminum, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Quanex Building Products Corp. Nichols is a leading producer of aluminum sheet for the transportation, building and construction, machinery and equipment, consumer durables, and electrical industries in North America. The acquisition includes two production facilities in Davenport, Iowa; a facility in Decatur, Alabama; and a facility in Lincolnshire, Illinois. The company has agreed to pay $110 Million in an all-cash transaction.
"Nichols has a long history of producing flat-rolled aluminum sheet products for customers in a number of key industries across North America and we look forward to continuing that long-standing tradition," says Steve Demetriou, Aleris chairman and CEO. "This acquisition is consistent with our strategy to expand our footprint and enhance our capabilities to ensure we are well-positioned to respond to projected growth in our key end uses as the economy begins to recover."
Upon the close of the transaction, Nichols will become part of Aleris' Rolled Products North America business, adding more than 500 Nichols employees to the Aleris team.
Aleris is a privately held, global leader in aluminum rolled products and extrusions, aluminum recycling and specification alloy production. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Aleris operates approximately 40 production facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia.
www.aleris.com
Aleris, Cleveland, Ohio, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Nichols Aluminum, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Quanex Building Products Corp.
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Aerospace sustainability study of industrial 3D printing
February 7, 2014
Source: ASM International
EOS collaborated with Airbus Group Innovations to complete an environmental lifecycle comparison of two key production technologies, rapid investment casting and DMLS.
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RTI acquires Directed Manufacturing for additive manufacturing of titanium aerospace and medical products
January 28, 2014
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RTI acquires Directed Manufacturing for additive manufacturing of titanium aerospace and medical products
RTI International Metals Inc., Pittsburgh, has acquired Directed Manufacturing Inc., Austin, Texas, a leader in additive manufacturing of metals and plastics for both commercial production and engineering development applications. The transaction is expected to enhance RTI's ability to deliver advanced, cost-effective titanium and other advanced material solutions to customers in markets such as aerospace and medical devices.
RTI Directed Manufacturing Inc. will become the flagship organization in RTI's Advanced Additive product line. It produces complex components of titanium, nickel–chromium alloys, and other specialty metals and composite plastics. The specific additive manufacturing or "3D printing" technologies used by the company include Direct Metal Laser Sintering and Plastic Laser Sintering systems.
Directed Manufacturing currently manufactures products that include aerospace airfoils, rakes, guide vanes and injection nozzles, complex fasteners, surgical tools, medical implants, injection mold inserts, and many others. It is one of the few companies in the fast-growing additive manufacturing field with commercial production experience in both metals and plastics. The company's customers include a number of major aerospace industry prime contractors and suppliers.
www.rtiintl.com
RTI International Metals Inc., Pittsburgh, has acquired Directed Manufacturing Inc., Austin, Texas, a leader in additive manufacturing of metals and plastics for both commercial production and engineering development applications.
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Wichita State acquires full-scale aircraft structural testing systems from MTS for aviation R&D
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MTS Systems Corp., Eden Prairie, Minn., has sold an extensive array of state-of-the-art mechanical testing systems to Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR). The MTS systems will be used in NIAR's new Aircraft Structural Test and Evaluation Center (ASTEC), one of the world's largest and most sophisticated full-scale structural testing facilities.
At 130,000 square feet, ASTEC has the capacity to host full-scale structural testing for some of the world's largest aircraft, or multiple aircraft simultaneously. The center also includes laboratories for component and materials testing, enabling commercial and military aircraft manufacturers to conduct virtually any kind of testing in one location.
MTS systems are deployed throughout the center, and include FlexTest Controllers, MTS FlexDAC Data Acquisition Systems, and AeroPro Software for structural test applications, as well as high-force load frames for component and materials testing.
"MTS technology allows us to efficiently manage resources across the entire spectrum of testing that occurs within ASTEC, and to readily accommodate any modifications our clients need to make to their test setups," said Tim Hickey, ASTEC Director. "The integrated control and data acquisition streams enhance the speed and ease of data processing, allowing our clients to quickly verify that a test was successful. Because of this, we have a lot of repeat clients; once they realize the full scope of capabilities and equipment we have, they want to do more kinds of testing on additional projects."
http://www.mts.com
MTS Systems Corp., Eden Prairie, Minn., has sold an extensive array of state-of-the-art mechanical testing systems to Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR).
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ThyssenKrupp Aerospace acquires aerospace operations of Alimex Metallhandelsgesellschaft
January 22, 2014
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ThyssenKrupp Aerospace, Germany, has acquired the aerospace operations of Alimex Metallhandelsgesellschaft GmbH, Willich, Germany. ThyssenKrupp Aerospace will continue Alimex's business of distributing and processing aluminum mill products (rod, sheet, plate) for the aviation industry. All inventories and the customer network will also be transferred to ThyssenKrupp Aerospace. Alimex is withdrawing completely from the aerospace sector but will continue its other areas of business.
"The acquisition of Alimex's aerospace business is a further step in our strategy to strengthen our market position and expand our product and service portfolio. For existing customers of Alimex, nothing will change - on the contrary, all supply and processing services will continue in the same quality and will be complemented by ThyssenKrupp Aerospace's product line," says Management Board member Sebastian Gudel.
http://www.thyssenkrupp.com/en/presse/art_detail.html&eid=TKBase_1389976375500_1633998296&source=newsletter
ThyssenKrupp Aerospace will continue Alimex’s business of distributing and processing aluminum mill products (rod, sheet, plate) for the aviation industry.
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Uddeholm SuperClean Concept PM tool steels resist abrasion, chipping, elevated temperatures
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Uddeholm AB, Sweden, introduces Uddeholm SuperClean Concept powder metallurgy (PM) tool steels, building on the proven success of its current PM tool steel grades. The Uddeholm PM production process eliminates the macro segregation encountered in conventional ingot metallurgical production of higher-alloy tool steel. The process also eliminates the inclusions that limit the performance of most other PM steels.
Grades include:
Uddeholm Vanadis 4 Extra SuperClean – with chipping resistance that none can match
Uddeholm Vanadis 10 SuperClean – with extremely high abrasive wear resistance
Uddeholm Vanadis 23 SuperClean – perfect for high volume cold work applications
Uddeholm Vanadis 30/Vanadis® 60 SuperClean – for tooling at elevated temperature
Uddeholm Vancron 40 SuperClean – the Marathon runner of tool steel
Uddeholm Elmax SuperClean – specially developed for high-tech applications
http://www.uddeholm.com/superclean.htm
Uddeholm AB, Sweden, introduces Uddeholm SuperClean Concept powder metallurgy (PM) tool steels, building on the proven success of its current PM tool steel grades.
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Missile canard for use in EAPS test flight
January 3, 2014
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Liquidmetal Technologies Inc., Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., delivered missile canards that are being fitted for a future test of Lockheed Martin's (Bethesda, Md.) EAPS (Extended Area Protection and Survivability) missile, an advanced performance, highly affordable hit-to-kill missile interceptor designed to defeat rocket, artillery, and mortar (RAM) targets with significantly reduced probabilities for collateral damage.
Working in collaboration with Lockheed Martin's advanced design team, Liquidmetal's unique alloy and process methods yield parts with dimensional consistency and precision at an affordable cost. Canards made from the new alloy meet the close geometric tolerances required for supersonic flight. The parts consistently meet tolerances and the shape and weight of each part is nearly identical, which is desirable for this application. The parts also have greater strength to weight than steel or titanium. Once the design is finalized, parts can be produced in high volumes with short lead times.
"Lockheed Martin has been an ideal development partner for this breakthrough application for Liquidmetal Technologies, creating a high precision, high performance part at a lower cost," said Bruce Bromage, EVP of Business Development with Liquidmetal Technologies.
More information:
Liquidmetal Technologies
Lockheed Martin
Liquidmetal Technologies Inc., Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., delivered missile canards that are being fitted for a future test of Lockheed Martin’s (Bethesda, Md.) EAPS (Extended Area Protection and Survivability) missile.
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Testing system for wind power applications
December 6, 2013
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SAKOR Technologies Inc., Okemos, Mich., announces the availability of its complete AccuDyne AC Dynamometer system for wind power testing applications. The system can be used by multiple engineering groups to test and verify designs, as well as for quality control testing after manufacturing.
Ideal for testing both active and passive wind power driveline components, the dynamometer system can be used to test turbines and their associated blade pitch control motors, generators and wind-sensing devices and motors, and transmissions. The system can also be used for testing water coolant pumps and other ancillary components.
In addition to independent component testing, the system can also be used to test groups of components simultaneously to see how they work together. For those conducting research and development, AccuDyne can be used to simulate the generator itself during early design stages, before a physical generator or gear box unit exists.
With the system, wind power test centers need only one dynamometer to test a wide range of model sizes and verify design specifications for multiple product categories and driveline mechanisms. The system is also perfect for research and development groups working on new turbine and generator designs.
AccuDyne comes packaged with the DynoLab EM test cell control system, making it a complete turnkey system to measure all mechanical and electrical wind power system components and simulate real world conditions in a fully automated test system.
Available in sizes ranging from 3kW to 10 MW, the dynamometers are appropriate for all wind power rotational testing needs. Modern vector drive technology allows the system to provide true 4-quadrant capability, with completely seamless crossover between motoring and loading modes. It also offers the most precise speed and torque control available, especially in low speed applications where full torque can be applied all the way to stall (zero speed).
DynoLAB EM system offers many advanced features, including the ability to simulate inertia to test a wide range of large and small loads, torque pulse simulation for simulating components that exhibit cogging (such as PM generators), and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) testing.
More information: SAKOR Technologies Inc.
SAKOR Technologies Inc., Okemos, Mich., announces the availability of its complete AccuDyne AC Dynamometer system for wind power testing applications. The system can be used by multiple engineering groups to test and verify designs, as well as for quality control testing after manufacturing.
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IHEA announces 2013-2014 board and officers
December 4, 2013
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The Industrial Heating Equipment Association, Taylor Mill, Ky., recently announced its 2013-14 Board of Directors and Officers. Serving as president (shown in the photo) is Tim Lee of Maxon, a division of Honeywell. Bob Green of Bloom Engineering was named IHEA Vice-President, and B.J. Bernard of Surface Combustion was elected Treasurer. Outgoing president Mike Shay of Elster Kromschröder, assumes the role of Past President.
IHEA is very pleased to re-elect Jay Cherry, Wellman Furnaces, and Doug Glenn, BNP Media, each to serve another three-year term. Continuing their service on the Board of Directors for 2013-2014 are Keith Boeckenhauer, Seco/Warwick; David Bovenizer, Selas Heat Technology Co.; Mike Chapman, Vulcan Catalytic Systems; Daniel Llaguno, Nutec Bickley; John Podach, Fostoria Process Equip. - a Division of TPI; John Searle, Eclipse, Inc.; and John Stanley, Karl Dungs, Inc.
IHEA's new president Tim Lee states, "It is an honor and privilege to serve as President of the Industrial Heating Equipment Association's Board of Directors, which consists of so many highly respected leaders in our industry. I believe the ongoing quality and expertise of our board members positions IHEA for continued success and future growth potential. I look forward to continuing on the path carved by my predecessors which has established IHEA as the entity where all manufacturers of process heating equipment and associated service providers work together for the benefit of the industry. IHEA continues to follow the bold mission statement of 'Driving Members Success by Providing the Knowledge Base and Authoritative Voice for Industrial Process Heating Worldwide.' We look forward to another successful year of providing valuable benefits and services to our industry."
www.ihea.org
The Industrial Heating Equipment Association, Taylor Mill, Ky., recently announced its 2013-14 Board of Directors and Officers. Serving as president (shown in the photo) is Tim Lee of Maxon, a division of Honeywell. Bob Green of Bloom Engineering was named IHEA Vice-President, and B.J. Bernard of Surface Combustion was elected Treasurer. Outgoing president Mike Shay of Elster Kromschröder, assumes the role of Past President.
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