Seco Warwick reports record order portfolio and 10% sales increase over 2017
March 20, 2019
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The Seco Warwick Group, Meadville, Pa., reports a record order portfolio of over $106 million after three quarters of 2018, with an operating profit for this period of $5.3 million, and net profit of $3.5 million.
The Group's sales in the first three quarters of 2018 increased by 10% compared to the same period of 2017, reaching a record $106 million. The strong market position is built not only by factories and companies on three continents, but also by stable revenues and a record order portfolio for end-to-end solutions in five product categories.
One category of note is atmosphere heat treatment technology and equipment, the product segment that provided robust sales in 2018. The final results reflect great progress for this product segment, which has prompted continuing investment in this technology and expansion into new markets.
Another product segment that recorded excellent sales results was vacuum metallurgy. A significant increase in sales of vacuum induction melting systems (VIM) in 2018 has already become the success story of the segment. At Purdue University, the Group installed and commissioned a VIM type furnace with a unique oil cooling system - a furnace for infiltrating samples with a zirconium alloy. VIM also was delivered, among other vacuum metallurgy project, to an American company serving the aviation industry.
The aerospace industry built a strong order portfolio, 70% of sales, for the Group in 2018, because equipment from the three segments of the Group are devoted to this sector. Particularly noteworthy are furnaces for vacuum heat treatment. In 2018, 65% of the total volume were designed as customized projects.
www.secowarwick.com
The Seco Warwick Group, Meadville, Pa., reports a record order portfolio of over $106 million after three quarters of 2018, with an operating profit for this period of $5.3 million, and net profit of $3.5 million.
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Mineral and organic acids extract rare earth elements from phosphate rock waste
March 11, 2019
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Researchers from Rutgers University-New Brunswick, N.J., and members of the Critical Materials Institute in Ames, Iowa, announce that they have found a possible new source of rare earth elements in phosphate rock waste, and have developed an environmentally friendly way to extract the elements. Results of their study were published in the Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics.
The research team explored using mineral and organic acids, including a bio-acid mixture, to extract six rare earth elements (yttrium, cerium, neodymium, samarium, europium, and ytterbium) from synthetic phosphogypsum. Scientists led by David Reed at Idaho National Laboratory produced the bio-acid mixture - consisting primarily of gluconic acid, found naturally in fruits and honey - by growing the bacteria Gluconobacter oxydans on glucose.
The results suggest that the bio-acid did a better job extracting rare earth elements than pure gluconic acid at the same pH (2.1), or degree of acidity. The mineral acids (sulfuric and phosphoric) failed to extract any rare earth elements in that scenario. When the four acids were tested at the same concentration, only sulfuric acid was more effective than the bio-acid.
Each year, an estimated 250 million tons of phosphate rock are mined to produce phosphoric acid for fertilizers. In the United States, approximately 28 million metric tons were mined in 2017. Rare earth elements generally amount to less than 0.1 percent in phosphate rock. But worldwide, about 100,000 tons of these elements per year end up in phosphogypsum waste. That's almost as much as the approximately 126,000 tons of rare earth oxides produced worldwide each year.
www.newbrunswick.rutgers.edu
https://cmi.ameslab.gov/
Researchers from Rutgers University-New Brunswick, N.J., and members of the Critical Materials Institute in Ames, Iowa, announce that they have found a possible new source of rare earth elements in phosphate rock waste, and have developed an environmentally friendly way to extract the elements.
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Linde Group signs contract with U.S. Praxair to supply a hydrogen plant in Louisiana
March 3, 2019
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The Engineering Division of the Linde Group, Bridgewater, N.J., announces that it has signed a contract to design and supply hydrogen production equipment for the core components of Praxair Inc.’s hydrogen plant in Louisiana. The order includes the steam-methane reformer, designed and supplied by Linde subsidiary Selas Linde in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania; the pressure swing adsorption unit; and the balance of the core plant.
The facility will have a production capacity of over 190,000 Nm3/h (normal meters cubed per hour) of high-purity hydrogen, and will also generate steam. It will be highly modular, with world-class reliability and energy efficiency, and is scheduled to come on stream in 2021.
In the 2017 financial year, The Linde Group generated revenue of $19.5 billion, making it one of the leading gases and engineering companies in the world, with approximately 58,000 employees working in more than 100 countries worldwide. The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business, with forward-looking products and services.
www.linde.com
The Engineering Division of the Linde Group, Bridgewater, N.J., announces that it has signed a contract to design and supply hydrogen production equipment for the core components of Praxair Inc.’s hydrogen plant in Louisiana.
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Harper develops on-line cleaning system for hot carbon-fiber production furnaces
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Harper International, Buffalo, N.Y., has developed an on-line furnace cleaning system that is located in the entrance section, which enables cleaning while the furnace is hot. Left untended, debris and filament buildup impedes and disrupts smooth gas flow in a carbon fiber high-temperature furnace, resulting in non-uniform properties across the tow band. The debris needs to be removed periodically during the operation of a fiber production line. However, traditional cleaning techniques require reduction of furnace temperatures in order to gain access for cleaning, resulting in reduced furnace run times.
To prevent exposure of the furnace to an air atmosphere, the on-line cleaning feature is self-contained and sealed with an incorporated nitrogen purge. Additionally, Harper’s on-line cleaning system includes sight-ports that permit the operator to see into the process chamber to assess the level and location of the debris. Utilizing the on-line cleaning feature enables improved fiber thermal uniformity and increased furnace utilization.
“Continuous uniformity across the tow band throughout the entire campaign has never been more achievable than with Harper’s innovative online cleaning system,†says Rebecca Stephenson, Applications Engineer. “Increased fiber quality throughout the whole production campaign is now possible with this solution for removing debris that negatively impacts the velocity uniformity within the HT furnace throat.â€
www.harperintl.com
Harper International, Buffalo, N.Y., has developed an on-line furnace cleaning system that is located in the entrance section, which enables cleaning while the furnace is hot.
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Luxfer acquires Neo Performance Materials for its rare-earth-based functional materials
February 26, 2019
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Luxfer Holdings, England, and Neo Performance Materials Inc., Toronto, announce a definitive agreement under which Luxfer would acquire Neo Performance Materials for its rare-earth-metals-based functional materials. The transaction accelerates Luxfer’s strategy to become a leading global manufacturer of highly-engineered advanced materials for high-end applications.
Luxfer serves a broad range of manufacturing and process industries with highly engineered materials:
--High-purity zirconium compounds for catalytic processes
--Magnesium specialty alloys for lightweight, durable products and components
--Aluminum gas cylinders for specialty and reference gases
--Magnesium, copper, zinc, and brass plates and chemicals for high-quality etching and embossing
--Unique soluble magnesium products supporting maintenance operations on oil and gas rigs
--Magnesium chips, granules, and powders for commercial applications
“Neo’s Magnequench segment is an industry leader in rare-earth powders used to manufacture magnets for performance micro motors and other critical applications, while the Chemicals and Oxides segment complements Luxfer’s own zirconium-based chemicals business,†stated Alok Maskara, Chief Executive Officer of Luxfer.
According to Geoff Bedford, Chief Executive Officer of Neo Performance Materials, “The combination of Luxfer and Neo creates a global leader of highly-engineered advanced materials which are critical to many of today’s macro global trends, including those promoting energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. This combination will enable our businesses to reach the next level as an important part of a larger, more diversified company.â€
Photo shows the SynerMag bioresorbable magnesium alloy developed by Magnesium Elektron, a business of Luxfer Holdings.
www.luxfer.com
Luxfer Holdings, England, and Neo Performance Materials Inc., Toronto, announce a definitive agreement under which Luxfer would acquire Neo Performance Materials for its rare-earth-metals-based functional materials.
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Xerox acquires Vader Systems for its liquid-metal additive manufacturing technology
February 14, 2019
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Xerox, Norwalk, Conn., announces that it has acquired metal additive manufacturing company Vader Systems, which will enable it to offer its customers access to low-cost metal additive manufacturing with a greater variety of metals.
“Manufacturing customers want to use 3D printing, but the current offerings only serve the prototyping market well, not broad manufacturing,†the company stated. “Xerox-developed, acquired and partnered printing, software and material technologies are expected to deliver the productivity, materials range and cost and design tools to enable part manufacturing.â€
Based in Buffalo, New York, Vader Systems is a developer of liquid metal additive manufacturing technology which primarily uses affordable metal wire feedstock. Its offerings include the Vader Polaris liquid metal AM system, the Magnet-o-Jet subsystem for hybrid manufacturing equipment integration, and the Ares microsphere production system for the production of spherical metal powders.
www.xerox.com
www.vadersystems.com
Xerox, Norwalk, Conn., announces that it has acquired metal additive manufacturing company Vader Systems, which will enable it to offer its customers access to low-cost metal additive manufacturing with a greater variety of metals.
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Arconic to invest $100 million to expand aluminum hot-mill capability in Tennessee
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Arconic Inc., New York, announces an investment of approximately $100 million to expand its hot-mill capability and add downstream equipment capabilities to manufacture industrial and automotive aluminum products in its Tennessee Operations facility near Knoxville.
Customer commitments for the majority of the anticipated increase in capacity are already in place, and the remainder is expected to be filled by projected customer demand. The expansion, which is expected to create 70 new jobs, is already underway and is expected to be complete by the fourth quarter of 2020.
“This investment will add capacity to meet growing demand for industrial products and automotive aluminum sheet,†says Tim Myers, President of Arconic’s Global Rolled Products business. “With this expansion, we are further diversifying the portfolio of one of our largest North American facilities.â€
The industrial market consists of products made with common alloy aluminum sheet, which is used in applications for commercial transportation, appliances, machinery, and construction.
In the automotive market, aluminum is used in applications from bumper to bumper, and demand for automotive aluminum sheet in North America is expected to double in the next ten years, according to a report published in July 2017 by independent research firm Ducker Worldwide. Arconic’s expansion of the Tennessee facility’s capacity continues its growth strategy which originated with its $300 million expansion (completed in 2015) to capture growing demand for automotive aluminum sheet.
www.arconic.com
Arconic Inc., New York, announces an investment of approximately $100 million to expand its hot-mill capability and add downstream equipment capabilities to manufacture industrial and automotive aluminum products in its Tennessee Operations facility near Knoxville.
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Can-Eng Furnaces commissions continuous mesh belt heat treat system for auto fasteners
February 5, 2019
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Can-Eng Furnaces International Ltd., Niagara Falls, Ontario, recently commissioned a state-of-the-art continuous mesh belt heat treat system for the production of high quality automotive fasteners in the Piedmont Region of Italy. This Italian project was one of four installation locations for a global producer of specialty automotive fasteners.
The company chose Can-Eng based on proven reliability, efficiency, and soft part-handling features that are hallmarks of its mesh belt furnace systems. The 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 its Level 2 SCADA system.
The PET system provides the user with access to vital Industry 4.0 features, such as product traceability, detailed process data for continuous process improvements, comprehensive equipment diagnostics, cost analysis, and inventory management. It also integrates Can-Eng’s energy reduction system, which significantly lowers energy requirements. The system was commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2018, and has met and exceeded the client’s performance expectations.
www.can-eng.com
Can-Eng Furnaces International Ltd., Niagara Falls, Ontario, recently commissioned a state-of-the-art continuous mesh belt heat treat system for the production of high quality automotive fasteners in the Piedmont Region of Italy.
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Seco Warwick vacuum heat treating/brazing system includes high-pressure gas quench
Source: ASM International
Seco Warwick, Meadville, Pa., announces that is has provided a vacuum heat treatment and brazing system equipped with high-pressure gas quench to Grupo TTT for its facility in Bergara, Spain.
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Supersonic Spray repairs 1937 vintage aluminum oil pan with its cold spray technology
January 29, 2019
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Supersonic Spray Technologies, a division of Centerline, Windsor, Ontario, announces that its engineers have restored an aluminum casting oil pan on a 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta with its cold spray technology. RX Autoworks, a classic car restoration company, contacted SST for assistance in restoring the oil pan. The SST job shop team prepped the parts and applied cold spray to repair the damage, restoring the original oil pan to full mechanical functionality and aesthetically to its original appearance. This enabled RX Autoworks to salvage and restore the irreplaceable oil pan almost back to its original state. (Photo shows the untreated oil pan above, finished oil pan below.)
Wear/tear and corrosion over the years had a severe impact on the aesthetics and functionality of the oil pan. There were visible cracks on the inside that were causing leaks. The outside of the pan did not look aesthetically pleasing. Replacing components on vintage vehicles is undoubtedly not an option as they are long out of production. Additionally, aluminum casting alloys used to fabricate components like this are heat treated and are sensitive to procedures such as welding or conventional thermal spray techniques. Therefore, selecting a repair technique that did not compromise the integrity of this one-of-a-kind component was paramount.
The SST cold spray process enables metal consolidation that can dimensionally restore heat-sensitive components with minimal or no thermal effects. Therefore, SST manual cold spray technology, operating at low pressures and temperatures, was considered a reliable and effective solution for this challenge.
https://www.supersonicspray.com/uploadshttps://www.asminternational.org/documents/SST%20RX%20Autoworks%20Rev%202.pdf
Supersonic Spray Technologies, a division of Centerline, Windsor, Ontario, announces that its engineers have restored an aluminum casting oil pan on a 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta with its cold spray technology.
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