Contour Hardening acquires gas nitride induction system to heat treat complex parts

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Contour Hardening, Indianapolis, announces the purchase of a gas nitride unit that will help Contour expand its offerings in the automotive sector and expand more deeply into the aerospace market. Contour will install the first unit at its global headquarters in Indianapolis, in late spring 2019.

Since its founding in 1986, Contour has both manufactured induction heat treat systems and offered commercial induction processing services for industry partners around the globe. The new gas nitride unit allows Contour to expand services focusing on distortion-critical, complex parts for clients. With the addition of nitriding, it allows increased offerings to solve complex parts demanding dimensional control through engineered processes.

“Our customers rely on our controlled heat-treatment processes, 100% hardness verification, and dimensional inspections,” says Neil Merrell, Director-Heat Treat.. “Our goal is to drive out part variation and provide a repeatable dimensionally accurate part.”   

“For several years we have planned to have a more significant presence in the aerospace, agricultural, heavy truck and light automotive industries,” says Ben Crawford, Contour CEO and President. “The purchase of this gas nitride unit will allow us to do just that, and complement our induction and dimensional services. We are committed to offering innovative thermal heat treat solutions to our clients globally, and this investment is proof of our commitment.”

www.contourhardening.com)

Praxair receives award from Pratt & Whitney for reducing costs, increasing efficiency

December 31, 2018
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Praxair Surface Technologies, Danbury, Conn., announces that it has received Pratt & Whitney’s 2018 Supplier Sustainability Award, which is given yearly to recognize a supplier that demonstrates exemplary commitment to environmental sustainability. Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture, and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, as well as auxiliary power units.

“Praxair is committed to improving our customers’ performance while helping them to reduce their environmental footprint,” said PST Vice President of Americas, Dean Hackett. “We work with our customers to develop solutions that help them reduce operating costs, increase process efficiencies, and improve environmental performance.”

Recently, the aviation industry has increased its focus on replacing chrome, cadmium, and other materials with more sustainable options. PST offers replacement solutions that help reduce reliance on these materials, helping to improve their environmental performance. Other advanced coating solutions also decrease energy consumption and reduce NOx emissions.

“PST emerged as a leader among many strong applicants for this year’s sustainability award,” said Lisa Szewczul, vice president, Environment, Health & Safety, Pratt & Whitney. “We were particularly impressed with their transparency, ambitious targets, and alignment with Pratt & Whitney’s environment, health, and safety goals. Praxair’s use of life cycle analysis demonstrates the link between sustainability and business value. This positions them to support our commitment to reducing the overall environmental impacts of our operations and products.”

www.praxairsurfacetechnologies.com.

Triumph to manufacture fuselage frames for Gulfstream aircraft via stretch forming

December 13, 2018
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Triumph Group Inc., Berwyn, Pa., announces the selection of its Aerospace Structures business by Gulfstream to manufacture a new order of fuselage frames for the Gulfstream G500 and G600 aircraft via stretch forming.

Under terms of the agreement, which will run through 2020, Triumph Fabrications in Hot Springs, Arkansas, will produce the fuselage frames with stretch-formed extrusions that will then be machined into final configurations.  The contract continues a strong relationship with Gulfstream.  In recent years, Triumph has also provided various wing, fuselage, and componentry for the Gulfstream G280/G450/G550/G650 programs.

As original equipment manufacturers such as Gulfstream transition away from hydroformed frames in favor of the newer stretch-form technology, Triumph’s expertise with this technique provides a viable option for aircraft manufacturers.

http://www.triumphgroup.com 

Oerlikon Balzers receives Airbus Qualified Supplier status for its Balinit WC/C coating

December 9, 2018
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Oerlikon Balzers, Switzerland, announces that it has received Qualified Supplier status from Airbus for its two customer centers in Great Britain and France for copper-alloy substrate coatings using Balinit C. Both locations are already certified as qualified suppliers of coatings on steel, titanium, and Inconel substrates.

Balinit C is a WC/C-based (tungsten carbide/carbon) coating that is a mixture of metal and diamond-like carbon. It reduces surface fatigue and tribo-oxidation on many aerospace components. Tribological coatings are mainly used to reduce adhesive wear that is associated with problems such as seizing or cold-welding. A low friction coefficient and good sliding properties make them ideal for low-lubrication and even dry-running applications.

The coating helps reduce surface fatigue and withstand wear and high loads when applied to aerospace components made of steel, titanium, and its various alloys. The coating is lightweight and exhibits low-friction. Its technical qualification as a non-hazardous and REACH-conforming option to hard chrome plating, completes the Airbus Industrial Qualification Process for both Oerlikon Balzers customer centers in Great Britain and France.

Oerlikon Balzers’ customer centers Milton Keynes (Great Britain), Ferrière-en-Brie (France), Guelph (Canada), and Niedercorn (Luxembourg) are all Nadcap-accredited and provide world-class coating solutions and services to the aerospace industry. Nadcap, National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program, is a worldwide industry-controlled global cooperation program, designed to achieve a cost-effective consensus approach to special processes and products and to provide continuous improvement within the aerospace industry.

www.oerlikon.com/balzers