Solar Atmospheres acquires Certified Metal Craft Inc.

May 6, 2024
Source: ASM International

Solar Atmospheres acquires Certified Metal Craft Inc.

Solar Atmospheres, El Cajon, CA, , has announced the acquisition of Certified Metal Craft (CMC) based in El Cajon, California. This move marks Solar Atmospheres’ sixth nationwide location and enhances its presence on the West Coast.

Founded nearly 55 years ago, CMC has been a reputable and trusted service provider in the Southern California region, specializing in various heat treating processes including Vacuum, Aluminum, Atmospheric, Endothermic, Salt Bath, and Cryogenic processing. The company’s dedication to quality has earned it a Nadcap accreditation and a robust portfolio of customer and prime approvals in the Aerospace, Medical, and Commercial sectors.

This expansion not only solidifies Solar Atmospheres’ commitment to providing top-notch heat treating and brazing solutions but also underscores its industry-leading approach of integrity and honesty in all business dealings. The integration promises to bolster Solar’s operational capabilities and enhance its service offerings across the West Coast, ensuring that the company remains the “go-to” choice for clients in the sector.

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Nextracker and JM Steel expand Pennsylvania facility to boost U.S. solar energy supply chain


Source: ASM International

Nextracker and JM Steel expand Pennsylvania facility to boost U.S. solar energy supply chain

Nextracker, Philadelphia, PA, has announced a major expansion at their Leetsdale, Pennsylvania steel facility, in collaboration with JENNMAR subsidiary JM Steel. This expansion has successfully tripled the factory’s capacity to support the growing demand for solar energy in Pennsylvania and the broader mid-Atlantic region.

The Leetsdale facility, originally built during World War II to produce materials for tank landing ships, has been transformed into a state-of-the-art manufacturing hub for critical steel components needed for solar projects. With the completion of the latest enhancements, the facility now boasts a production capacity of 4 GW, significantly bolstering the U.S. supply chain for renewable energy.

The expansion not only increases the facility’s output but also underscores JENNMAR’s commitment to the solar energy sector, with investments surpassing $100 million over the past four years. Tony Calandra, CEO of JENNMAR, highlighted the historic nature of the site and its significance to the community, “We are proud to announce the expansion of this historic steel factory in Pittsburgh—which we have been honored to call our home for more than 100 years. This partnership with Nextracker allows for significant investment in advanced manufacturing and brings high-quality jobs back to our communities.”

The project has created 60 new manufacturing jobs and is a key component of Nextracker’s strategy to enhance its U.S. manufacturing footprint, which has seen the company add 20 new or expanded U.S. manufacturing facilities since 2021. The expanded capacity allows Nextracker to supply over 25 GW of U.S. solar tracker capacity annually.

The expansion represents a strategic step towards securing a robust U.S. supply chain in solar energy, critical to meeting the energy demands of the future and enhancing the economic and environmental health of the region.

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ACME spearheads eco-friendly transition in district heating across the EU


Source: ASM International

ACME spearheads eco-friendly transition in district heating across the EU

ACME, Canada, is spearheading the Eurpean Union’s transition from fossil fuel systems to advanced, high-efficiency electrode boilers. This transition not only promises a significant reduction in carbon emissions but also enhances the energy efficiency of district heating networks across the EU.

District heating, crucial for centralized heat generation and distribution in urban areas, is undergoing a transformation with the installation of cutting-edge electrode boilers. These boilers are praised for their ability to operate on electricity derived from renewable sources such as solar, wind, and hydro power, marking a significant step towards sustainable energy use.

Robert Presser, vice president of Acme Engineering, explains the technological superiority of electrode boilers, “Unlike traditional gas or oil-fired boilers, electrode boilers can achieve full capacity in about 90 seconds with a 100% turndown ratio, ensuring that no energy is wasted. This rapid responsiveness, coupled with the absence of combustion, makes these boilers highly efficient and environmentally friendly.”

The electrode boilers utilized in these upgrades, such as Acme’s CEJS and CEJW models, are capable of converting nearly 100% of electrical energy into heat, eliminating losses typically associated with stack or heat transfer. With capacities ranging from 6MW to 68MW, these boilers are designed to meet the rigorous demands of large-scale heating needs while occupying minimal space.

Presser also highlights the economic and operational benefits of these boilers, “Electrode boilers are not only cleaner but also more compact and easier to install compared to conventional systems. They require fewer components and minimal maintenance, reducing long-term costs and enhancing reliability.”

EU municipalities and businesses are increasingly recognizing the value of integrating these advanced technologies into their district heating frameworks. As the effects of climate change intensify, the shift towards these efficient, renewable-energy-powered systems is seen as critical in meeting both current and future energy needs while adhering to stringent decarbonization targets.

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One Minute Mentor: vacuum furnace setup

April 15, 2024
Source: ASM International

One Minute Mentor: vacuum furnace setup

A simple but most effective and very flexible vacuum furnace setup, the single-chamber furnace, consists of one chamber in which the workpiece is both heated (convectively, through vacuum heating) and cooled. Cooling or quenching is accomplished by a closed-loop cooling system.

The pressure vessel is filled with inert gas. This gas is circulated inside the chamber, blowing the inert gas across the workpieces to pick up heat and for further recooling across an internal or external heat exchanger. In order to quench rapidly enough to obtain the desired microstructure of tool steels in various sizes and shapes, it is necessary to increase the pressure and/or flow patterns of the quench gas (usually nitrogen). This is accomplished by high-velocity, high-pressure blowers that have reported cooling gas pressures of up to 20 bar. Turbine powers up to 450 kW are necessary to handle these quenching processes.

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 15. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014  https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005958

Can-Eng commissions mesh belt furnace overseas


Source: ASM International

Can-Eng commissions mesh belt furnace overseas

Can-Eng Furnaces, Niagara, Ontario,  has commissioned a continuous mesh belt heat-treat system for the production of high-quality automotive fasteners in Italy.

This project in the Piedmont region of Italy was one of four installation locations for this globally recognized producer of specialty automotive fasteners that span from Europe, South America, Mexico, and the United States of America.

Can-Eng Furnaces International Ltd was chosen to supply its state-of-the-art systems based on proven reliability, efficiency, and soft-part-handling features — hallmarks of Can-Eng’s mesh belt furnace systems. The new, high-volume fastener system features energy efficient combustion and waste heat recovery systems, atmosphere-controlled mesh belt hardening system, oil quench, post wash system, temper furnace, soluble oil system, bi-directional conveyor discharge, and Can-Eng’s Level 2 SCADA system. Can-Eng’s PET™ system provides the user with access to vital Industry 4.0 data which includes product traceability, detailed process data for continuous process improvements, comprehensive equipment diagnostics, cost analysis, and inventory management.

https://thermalprocessing.com/news/can-eng-commissions-mesh-belt-furnace-overseas/

Kuźnia Jawor installs Nitrex forging systems


Source: ASM International

Kuźnia Jawor installs Nitrex forging systems

Nitrex, Quebec, has announced that Kuźnia Jawor S.A, a European company specializing in the production of hot forged and CNC machined components for the automotive, machinery, mining, and piping industries, has installed a Nitrex nitriding system and a vacuum hardening furnace.

 Located in the southwestern region of Poland, Kuźnia Jawor has solidified its position as a leading provider of forged and CNC automotive parts within Poland, as well as mining parts in international markets such as Czechia and Türkiye.

Kuźnia Jawor leverages its in-house capabilities to design and manufacture forging tools, a crucial element of the production process. This is necessary for obtaining repeatable strength parameters in steel and ensuring their resistance to geometric changes or abrasive wear, factors that are addressed through heat treatment. Building on this foundation, the company recently revamped its heat-treating operations by introducing cutting-edge equipment and technologies, aiming to streamline operations for improved efficiency and to elevate the quality of its forged and machined products. The current production line has been designed using a Nitrex nitriding system and a vacuum hardening furnace.

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Solar Atmospheres awarded Lockheed Martin space systems approval


Source: ASM International

Solar Atmospheres awarded Lockheed Martin space systems approval

Solar Atmospheres, Greenville, SC, has announced that it has been awarded Lockheed Martin Space Systems approval. With this approval, now all five Solar Atmospheres facilities are an option for our customers with Lockheed Martin requirements for thermal processing services.

Steve Prout, President of Solar Atmospheres’ Greenville facility states: “We are proud to once again provide our customers in the Southeastern U.S. with another regional option for aerospace and defense thermal processes, saving them time and money while continuing to deliver the high level of quality required.”

With the ability to support vacuum thermal processing needs ranging from development cycles to 50,000 pound loads at temperatures of up to 2400°F, Solar Atmospheres provides AS9100 and Nadcap quality accredited heat treatments, providing our customers with the confidence their product is being processed as specified.

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One Minute Mentor: Vacuum Furnaces

March 26, 2024
Source: ASM International

One Minute Mentor: Vacuum Furnaces

Driven by the development of new tool steels—which were property-wise tailor made for applications such as aluminum die casting, drilling, and tools and dies for the plastic industry—but also due to rising dimensions of the tools, the demands on vacuum-hardening technology have changed in recent decades. One of the most important considerations that must be met is the accomplishment of highest dimensional stability with optimal microstructural properties and minimal change of the surface of the workpieces. Minimizing exposure to air during the heat treatment by reducing the quantity of oxygen in a heat treatment furnace, as with creating a vacuum, is an excellent method for preventing changes in surface appearance and chemical composition.

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 14. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014  https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005958

Process and parameters for laser assisted localized heat treatment in manufacturing applications


Source: ASM International

Process and parameters for laser assisted localized heat treatment in manufacturing applications

University of Azurem, Portugal, presents information and results relevant for the development of a laser heat treatment process suitable to improve manufacturing in high strength steel and high strength aluminum alloys.

The challenges with manufacturing of such materials include springback effect and localized fracture. The study details heat cycle and their effect in metallurgical state and mechanical properties. Such laser induced heat treatment process is intended to improve the forming behavior of metal parts in challenging metal forming conditions, in particular for the delay or avoidance of localized fracture. Results for strength, hardness and elongation properties are presented. It was concluded that it is possible to locally modify yield strength and hardness using process duration suitable for industrial applications. Suitable process temperature ranges and target heat cycles were identified. 

A positive effect of material softening was observed in both hardness and strength properties. However, in some cases a reduction of ductility is apparent which must be considered for targeted industrial applications. The dimension of the heat-affected zone was also considered as design variable for the industrial process development. Preliminary results were obtained in a development forming tool.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/09544054221135684

Ipsen Launches “Ipsen Connect,” to Streamline Customers’ Operations


Source: ASM International

Ipsen Launches “Ipsen Connect,” to Streamline Customers’ Operations

Ipsen, Cherry Valley, IL, announced a new digital gateway, Ipsen Connect. The customer service portal simplifies access to essential resources, including order history, service requests, and furnace documentation.

Key features of Ipsen Connect include:

  • Convenient part management: Request or reorder parts, view order history, and access furnace documentation seamlessly.
  • Streamlined service requests: Schedule maintenance, troubleshooting, or calibration appointments in just a few clicks.
  • Best practices and expert insights: Access troubleshooting guides, online training videos, and answers to frequently asked questions.
  • Real-time updates: Keep your operations informed and on track with live updates, including order status, active quotes, planned maintenance, and scheduled service appointments.

https://ipsenglobal.com/knowledge-center/ipsen-launches-a-cutting-edge-digital-platform-ipsen-connect-to-streamline-customers-operations/