Ipsen ships heat treating furnaces for aerospace, automotive, and power applications
March 30, 2016
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Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., recently shipped seven furnaces around the globe for applications in aerospace, automotive, and power-generation. Shipments included both custom-built furnaces and standard Titan furnaces, and they were sent to customers in Alabama, California, Missouri, and Texas, as well as China and Japan.
The equipment ranged from a vertical bottom-loading MetalMaster with an 84 x 84-inch molybdenum hot zone sent to California, to a Titan H2 vacuum furnace sent to Japan. Other furnaces included horizontal MetalMaster furnaces, H2- and H4-size furnaces from Ipsen's Titan line, and a Global Vertical furnace from the TurboTreater line. Overall, these shipments represent sophisticated and intuitive heat-treating solutions through an all-inclusive product line that supports a wide range of applications and processes.
To best support such diverse industries and needs around the world, Ipsen's Global Support Team facilitates furnace installations, and provides expert training, startup assistance, and 360-degree support throughout the entire lifespan of the equipment.
www.IpsenUSA.com/Products
Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., recently shipped seven furnaces around the globe for applications in aerospace, automotive, and power-generation.
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SSAB electrogalvanized martensitic steel designed for auto structures
March 20, 2016
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SSAB Steel, Sweden, introduces Docol 1500 MZE electrogalvanized martensitic grade high-strength structural steel for automotive applications. The ultra-high strength steel is appropriate for a range of applications in need of corrosion protection, energy absorption, and low weight.
"For many years now, our Docol series of martensitic grades have been contributing to low weight and sustainability without compromising performance," says Arnaud Guerendel, global director for the automotive segment at SSAB. "As knowledge and awareness spread, more designers see the possibilities of using our material. We have continual requests by different companies for our strongest and highest strength steels."
Docol 1500 MZE is a cold-rolled, electrogalvanized advanced high-strength steel developed for applications in cars with stringent requirements for low weight and high energy absorption. The steel is well suited for roll forming. The minimum tensile strength is 1500 N/mm² and the high strength is achieved in the manufacturing process, which uses a special heat treatment together with an extremely high cooling rate.
"When we develop new steel grades, we always have our customers' business in focus whether we're developing new products or adjusting the properties of our steel grades to fit specific applications," says José Puente, global product manager for the automotive segment at SSAB. "This is the strong driving force behind our continuous research and development efforts."
www.ssab.com
SSAB Steel, Sweden, introduces Docol 1500 MZE electrogalvanized martensitic grade high-strength structural steel for automotive applications.
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Alcoa chooses the name Arconic for its future value-add company
March 16, 2016
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Alcoa, Pittsburgh, announces that the name for its future company dedicated to value-added products will be Arconic, in which "A" represents Alcoa, "arc" represents the arc of progress, and "-conic" speaks to the company's history of creating iconic products. The logo also includes a tagline, "Innovation, Engineered" to communicate the company's goal to invent, develop, and deliver products and solutions through precision engineering and advanced manufacturing.
The future upstream company will operate under the Alcoa name. The company's separation into two independent publicly-traded companies in the second half of 2016 remains on track.
"The ‘Arconic' brand fuses our extraordinary heritage with our highly promising future," said Alcoa Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Klaus Kleinfeld. "It echoes our 127-year history of invention – and reinvention. Our logo depicts the realm of possibility brought to life. It reflects our vision of limitless innovation solving complex engineering challenges, to transform the way we fly, drive, build, package and power. And it represents the ingenuity of our people, who are dedicated to inventing, developing, and delivering high-quality, innovative products and solutions that contribute to our customers' success and create shareholder value."
Both Arconic and Alcoa will be based in the United States and listed on the New York Stock Exchange: Arconic as ARNC, and Alcoa as AA. The upstream company (Alcoa) will comprise the five business units that today make up Global Primary Products: Bauxite, Alumina, Aluminum, Cast Products, and Energy.
Arconic will include the three business segments that today comprise Alcoa's Value Add portfolio: Global Rolled Products, Engineered Products and Solutions, and Transportation and Construction Solutions.
www.alcoa.com/arconic
www.alcoa.com/alcoabrand
Alcoa, Pittsburgh, announces that the name for its future company dedicated to value-added products will be Arconic, in which “A” represents Alcoa, “arc” represents the arc of progress, and “-conic” speaks to the company’s history of creating iconic products.
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Direct gas-fired ovens temper tire molds for auto industry supplier
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Wisconsin Oven Corp., East Troy, Wis., has shipped two direct gas-fired batch ovens with load capacity of 6000 pounds each to a leading automotive supplier for tempering tire molds to produce longer mold life. This industrial oven allows easy access for loading and unloading tire molds by fork truck.
Each tempering batch oven has a maximum operating temperature rating of 800°F, work chamber dimensions of 5 x 5 x 8 feet, and a six-inch reinforced insulated floor. The recirculation system utilizes combination airflow, which provides both horizontal and vertical upward airflow to maximize heating rates and temperature uniformity.
The batch oven is equipped with a 10,850 CFM @ 15 HP belt-driven blower. Supply air is delivered through fully adjustable boxed ducts that are side-mounted along the length on each side of the work chambers. The heating system features an industrial air heat burner rated at 850,000 BTU per hour.
"Designing a solution for our customers that improves their production process is always a top priority. Improved work flow and ease of loading/unloading was a focus for this project to increase production efficiencies," says Tom Trueman, Senior Application Engineer.
www.wisoven.com
Wisconsin Oven Corp., East Troy, Wis., has shipped two direct gas-fired batch ovens with load capacity of 6000 pounds each to a leading automotive supplier for tempering tire molds to produce longer mold life.
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Bonnell Aluminum to invest $18 million in extrusion line for auto structures
March 2, 2016
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Bonnell Aluminum, Newnan, Ga., announces it will invest approximately $18 million over the next year to fund an expansion project that will include the purchase of a new state-of-the-art aluminum extrusion line at its Aacoa facility in Niles, Mich. The new line will include a state-of-the-art 3600-ton extrusion press, housing a nine-inch container, handling systems, and ancillary equipment. Capacity is estimated at approximately 16 million pounds. The project also includes additional floor space to accommodate future value-added fabrication capacity. Planned startup is the second quarter 2017.
Aacoa reportedly has a solid market reputation as a manufacturer, fabricator, and anodizer of aluminum extrusions with operations in Niles, Mich., and Elkhart, Ind. It is said to be highly regarded as a leader in the markets it serves, primarily consumer durables and machinery and equipment. The Niles facility also serves the automotive market due to its regional location.
"With continued growing demand from our customers, it is exciting to invest in this additional capacity, knowing that we will satisfy these opportunities with the high quality products and services that Aacoa is known for in the industry," commented Brook Hamilton, President and General Manager for Bonnell Aluminum.
Bonnell Aluminum is a subsidiary of Tredegar Corp., Richmond, Virginia. The company produces soft and medium-strength alloy aluminum extrusions for building and construction, automotive, machinery and equipment, consumer durables, transportation, electrical and distribution markets. On October 1, 2012, Bonnell Aluminum acquired Aacoa, a world-
www.bonlalum.com
www.aacoa.com
Bonnell Aluminum, Newnan, Ga., announces it will invest approximately $18 million over the next year to fund an expansion project that will include the purchase of a new state-of-the-art aluminum extrusion line at its Aacoa facility in Niles, Michigan.
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Aluminum alloy with high recycled content integrated into automotive structures
February 25, 2016
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Novelis, Atlanta, announces that its RC5754 alloy, a new automotive product designed to contain up to 75% recycled aluminum content, has been successfully integrated into the structural components of high-volume production passenger vehicles. RC5754 was developed with Jaguar Land Rover and serves as a key component of Jaguar's REALCAR (REcycled ALuminum CAR) project. First introduced in the new Jaguar XE, the RC5754 alloy will also be featured in all new and legacy Jaguar Land Rover models.
Results of the collaboration in developing this new product are documented in"Collaboration for a Closed-Loop Value Chain," a case study issued in January following the companies' participation in the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership's Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Value Chains.
"As a leader in alloy innovation and aluminum recycling, Novelis is honored to work with Jaguar Land Rover to help lead the automotive industry in sustainable vehicle manufacturing," said Pierre Labat, Vice President, Automotive, Novelis Europe. "The new RC5754 alloy not only meets the high recycled content threshold required by Jaguar Land Rover's REALCAR project, but also it delivers the strength, durability and formability specified by world-leading Jaguar Land Rover engineers."
Launched in 2008 by Jaguar Land Rover, the REALCAR program is a multi-stakeholder initiative established to create a closed-loop vehicle production model that recycles automobiles at the end of their lifecycles. The RC5754 aluminum alloy, uniquely developed by Novelis to serve the REALCAR program, is designed to absorb higher levels of processed automotive aluminum scrap than ever before.
With more than 40 years of experience in the automotive industry, Novelis pioneered many of the common aluminum alloys used in automotive manufacturing today – including 6111, 6016 and the original 5754 – in addition to its own Novelis Advanz™ family of alloys. The RC5754 alloy further enhances the Novelis portfolio.
Novelis currently works with many of the world's leading automakers to deliver a variety of strong, formable and lightweight aluminum sheet products that are used in more than 180 vehicles in production today, including the new aluminum-bodied Ford F-150 and Range Rover. Novelis expects double-digit growth in the global use of automotive aluminum by the end of the decade, and the company is growing to meet this demand with manufacturing expansions ramping up in Europe, North America and Asia.
www.novelis.com
Novelis, Atlanta, announces that its RC5754 alloy, a new automotive product designed to contain up to 75% recycled aluminum content, has been successfully integrated into the structural components of high-volume production passenger vehicles.
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MetalMaster furnace processes catalytic converter parts for a variety of industries
February 24, 2016
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Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., recently shipped a horizontal-loading MetalMaster vacuum furnace with two-bar gas quenching to a company in the Southwest United States for processing catalytic converter products, which are then used by such industries as aerospace, automotive and power generation. Ideal for brazing and other high-vacuum applications, this vacuum furnace line performs distinctively well with thin section parts and lighter pieces.
This customized furnace features a 36 x 36 x 72-inch graphite work zone, with a carbon steel gas distribution plenum and graphite heating elements, as well as a 3000-pound load capacity. It operates at temperatures of 1000 to 2400°F with ±5°F temperature uniformity.
The furnace is also equipped with a 35-inch diffusion pump and Ipsen's CompuVac control system. In addition, this MetalMaster furnace is capable of meeting applicable AMS 2750E requirements and providing tight temperature tolerances with DigiTrim control settings. It features an open heating element detection system, as well as a specially engineered heat exchanger and turbine blower that are designed to optimize gas flow for more efficient cooling.
The MetalMaster design has maintained ultimate performance and reliability for more than 45 years, with 500+ installations worldwide. It delivers the cleanliness and uniform cooling that customers request, while also providing a cost-effective, versatile, and adaptable vacuum furnace system. MetalMaster furnaces may also be ordered with several high-productivity options, including specialized instrumentation, increased pumping capability, and material handling systems.
www.IpsenUSA.com/MetalMaster
Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., recently shipped a horizontal-loading MetalMaster vacuum furnace with two-bar gas quenching to a company in the Southwest United States for processing catalytic converter products, which are then used by such industries as aerospace, automotive and power generation.
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U.S. stainless steel sheet and strip producers file antidumping petitions against China
February 17, 2016
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AK Steel Corp., ATI Flat Rolled Products, North American Stainless, and Outokumpu Stainless USA, the four principal U.S. producers of stainless steel sheet and strip, have filed antidumping and countervailing duty petitions charging that unfairly traded imports of stainless steel sheet and strip from the People's Republic of China are causing material injury to the domestic industry.
The antidumping margins alleged by the domestic industry range from 53.69 to 83.24% ad valorem (according to value). The domestic industry's countervailing duty petition alleges that the Chinese government has provided significant subsidies to Chinese producers. The petitions were filed concurrently with the United States Department of Commerce and the United States International Trade Commission.
The domestic industry filed its petitions for relief in response to large and increasing volumes of low-priced imports of stainless steel sheet and strip from China over the past three years that have injured U.S. producers. The volume of imports of stainless steel sheet and strip from China has increased by 133% since 2013. Chinese products accounted for 81.2% of the total increase in U.S. stainless steel sheet and strip imports during the past three years.
The petition alleges that Chinese producers have injured the domestic industry by selling their stainless steel sheet and strip at unfairly low prices that significantly undercut domestic market prices. As a result of this unfair competition, the domestic industry has suffered declines in sales, production, employment, prices, and profits.
Commerce Department and U.S. International Trade Commission will now begin their preliminary investigations, which are expected to be finalized during the first quarter. The entire investigative process will take approximately one year, and it is expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2017.
www.outokumpu.com/en/stainless-news/outokumpu-news
AK Steel Corp., ATI Flat Rolled Products, North American Stainless, and Outokumpu Stainless USA, the four principal U.S. producers of stainless steel sheet and strip, have filed antidumping and countervailing duty petitions charging that unfairly traded imports of stainless steel sheet and strip from the People’s Republic of China are causing material injury to the domestic industry.
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Carpenter to relocate corporate headquarters to Philadelphia
February 12, 2016
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Carpenter Technology Corp., Wyomissing, Pa., plans to relocate its corporate headquarters to Philadelphia, to provides better access to transportation, customer markets, world-class universities, and increased visibility with broader talent pools. The move positions Carpenter's head office in a major metropolitan market without incurring any significant increased expenses.
The move supports Carpenter's strategic plan to leverage its core technical strength in engineered materials and process capabilities to solve customers' current and anticipated challenges. Carpenter is shifting its focus to apply product and process capabilities that drive total value in a more customer-centric and market-focused manner.
Carpenter anticipates that the new Philadelphia location will ultimately be home to approximately 100 positions, while nearly 2300 Carpenter personnel will remain in Reading. The company noted that no planned job reductions are part of the relocation, and the relocation is not expected to have any material increase in overall expenses.
"Carpenter is positioning itself for continued growth," said Tony R. Thene, Carpenter's President and Chief Executive Officer. "As we have expanded our manufacturing footprint and sales presence over the past decade, it has become more important to raise our visibility, broaden our talent pool, and improve access to our customers and partners. The Reading manufacturing location remains crucial to the current operating plan and the stated strategy going forward. We're proud of our 125 plus years in Reading, and we remain committed to Reading and to the state of Pennsylvania, where Carpenter today employs more than 3,300 personnel."
Carpenter is in the process of reviewing office locations in Philadelphia appropriate to its needs and growth objectives, with the goal of completing the move in late 2016.
www.cartech.com
Carpenter Technology Corp., Wyomissing, Pa., plans to relocate its corporate headquarters to Philadelphia, to provides better access to transportation, customer markets, world-class universities, and increased visibility with broader talent pools. The move positions Carpenter’s head office in a major metropolitan market without incurring any material increased expenses.
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CEC supplies chain conveyor solution furnace for heat treating aluminum die castings
February 3, 2016
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Consolidated Engineering Co. (CEC), Kennesaw, Ga., announces that it has received a purchase order for a four-zone natural gas-fired chain conveyor solution furnace for the T4 treatment of aluminum high-pressure die castings. To be installed in a casting facility in Mexico, the furnace will heat treat automobile shock towers. The system includes a solution furnace, air quench, age oven, cool unit, and four load/unload gantry cranes, and will process the castings at a rate of 90 castings per hour.
High pressure die casting, in which molten aluminum is injected into a metal die, now accounts for more than half of all aluminum castings worldwide. This manufacturing method has shown to be particularly suitable for making complex part shapes for automobiles.
CEC manufactures a variety of industrial chain furnaces that allow for efficient conveyance of the product during heat treatment. A chain type furnace may describe one of several methods moving the casting or forging through the furnace.
The chain furnace concept allows the product to go directly into the furnace without a basket, rack, or tray. Wasted heat for heating up the tray or basket is eliminated. The processed part can come directly from the casting dies or the forging press without cool-down. CEC can automate a foundry or forge shop to the current state of the art for heat treatment with its broad array of chain furnace configurations.
www.cec-intl.com
Consolidated Engineering Co. (CEC), Kennesaw, Ga., announces that it has received a purchase order for a four-zone natural gas-fired chain conveyor solution furnace for the T4 treatment of aluminum high-pressure die castings.
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