TA Instruments acquires assets of Bose ElectroForce Group
June 4, 2015
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TA Instruments, New Castle, Del., announces that it has acquired certain assets related to the Bose ElectroForce Group, Framingham, Mass. The group manufactures dynamic mechanical testing systems for characterizing medical devices and biologic and engineered materials. Its test instruments are based on unique motor designs that are quiet, energy-efficient, scalable, and capable of delivering high performance over a wide range of force and frequency.
"Bose has a long history of technology leadership in the markets they serve, and the ElectroForce group is no exception," says Terry Kelly, President of TA Instruments. "Bose pioneered the use of electromagnetic motors in scientific instruments. We believe there are tremendous opportunities to leverage the technology, infrastructure, and customer bases of our respective organizations to grow this business."
www.tainstruments.com
TA Instruments, New Castle, Del., announces that it has acquired certain assets related to the Bose ElectroForce Group, Framingham, Mass.
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Conferences convene for successful Mega Show event
May 28, 2015
Source: ASM International
Aerospace and thermal spray professionals gathered for aerospace coating and materials information.
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3D-Printed Habitat Challenge
May 27, 2015
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NASA and the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, known as America Makes, are holding a new $2.25 million competition to design and build a 3D printed habitat for deep space exploration, including the agency's journey to Mars.
The multi-phase 3-D Printed Habitat Challenge, part of NASA's Centennial Challenges program, is designed to advance the additive construction technology needed to create sustainable housing solutions for Earth and beyond.
The first phase of the competition runs through Sept. 27. This phase, a design competition, calls on participants to develop state-of-the-art architectural concepts that take advantage of the unique capabilities 3D printing offers. The top 30 submissions will be judged and a prize purse of $50,000 will be awarded at the 2015 World Maker Faire in New York.
The second phase of the competition is divided into two levels. The Structural Member Competition (Level 1) focuses on the fabrication technologies needed to manufacture structural components from a combination of indigenous materials and recyclables, or indigenous materials alone. The On-Site Habitat Competition (Level 2) challenges competitors to fabricate full-scale habitats using indigenous materials or indigenous materials combined with recyclables. Both levels open for registration Sept. 26, and each carries a $1.1 million prize.
NASA and the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, known as America Makes, are holding a new $2.25 million competition to design and build a 3D printed habitat for deep space exploration.
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Winners of Materials Genome Toolkit competition announced
Source: ASM International
ASM International’s CMD Network is pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 ASM Materials Genome Toolkit competition.
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High-power diode laser for heat treating consists of multiple laser modules
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The Hamburg Rofin macro group, Germany, broadens its product range with a new series of fiber-coupled, high-power diode lasers for hardening, brazing, soldering, and coating. The DF 060 HP has an optical output power of 6 kW. Inside the laser, multiple diode laser modules, each providing an optical output power of 1 kW, are combined and coupled into a multi-mode single core fiber. Each module is monitored individually and can be replaced on site if necessary.
The high efficiency and smooth beam profile makes the new diode laser an ideal tool for all tasks in surface treatment applications. The wavelength close to 1 µm achieves high absorption in many materials and ensures best results. Its modular design allows scalable power and ensures high availability. Furthermore, the standardized customer interface, as well as a remote access for diagnostics by the ROFIN service team, provides highest ease of use.
The robust system comes with an integrated cooling unit, enabling the use of standard industrial tap water, which is usually available in industrial fields. Thanks to the climate control of the cabinet, which comes as an optional feature, the laser can be operated in environments with a high degree of humidity. For wavelength-specific applications such as optical pumping, single wavelength configurations are available on request.
Compact, easy to integrate and available with a broad range of optional accessories, the DF diode laser series allows maximum flexibility and high production throughput in industrial manufacturing lines.
www.rofin.com
The Hamburg Rofin macro group, Germany, broadens its product range with a new series of fiber-coupled, high-power diode lasers for hardening, brazing, soldering, and coating.
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EFD Induction rotary table system hardens sun gears for auto supplier
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EFD Induction USA, Madison Heights, Mich., reports that a major U.S. tier-one automotive supplier recently ordered an EFD Induction Rotary Table (HardLine RT 550) hardening system for treating sun gears, and a vertical scanner system (HardLine VM 1000) for hardening output shafts. The Sinac power source delivers a constant power factor of 0.95 at all power levels.
HardLine is EFD Induction's family of systems for surface and through-hardening, with equipment available to handle everything from small gears with complex geometries, up to the giant slewing rings used in modern wind turbines. The vertical scanners support a range of optional subsystems, including automated loading/unloading solutions, indexing tables with unlimited position control, double tailstocks and centers for the simultaneous hardening of two workpieces, and a HF/MF chuck connection for quick changeovers between high and medium frequencies. The hardening system can also be paired with an integrated or separate tempering station.
www.efd-induction.com
EFD Induction USA, Madison Heights, Mich., reports that a major U.S. tier-one automotive supplier recently ordered an EFD Induction Rotary Table (HardLine RT 550) hardening system for treating sun gears, and a vertical scanner system (HardLine VM 1000) for hardening output shafts.
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Outokumpu stainless steel fuel tank weighs 3 kg less than plastic
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Outokumpu Oy, Finland, announces that the stainless steel fuel tank developed by its engineers and TechROi Fuel Systems has received the New Applications Award presented by the International Stainless Steel Forum in the "Best New Development" category at the ISSF Annual Conference in Hong Kong. Outokumpu HyTens steel grade allowed extremely thin walls and tailored strength, making the tank about three kilograms lighter than the conventional fuel tank made of plastic.
According to the ISSF, the winning concept provides a combination of good design, appropriate material selection, engineering expertise, and sufficient delivery reliability. The stainless steel fuel tank is superior in terms of crashworthiness and does not need surface treatment or maintenance.
Said Outokumpu CEO Mika Seitovirta: "We are very pleased with the ISSF's recognition of this innovation, which showcases the potential that stainless steel and customer focused innovation have in meeting the demands of car industry. As a versatile, long-lasting and 100% recyclable material, stainless steel offers great opportunities for a number of industries to create a more sustainable future."
The International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF) is a non-profit research and development organization which was founded in 1996 and serves as the world forum for the international stainless steel industry.
www.outokumpu.com
Outokumpu Oy, Finland, announces that the stainless steel fuel tank developed by its engineers and TechROi Fuel Systems received the New Applications Award presented by the International Stainless Steel Forum in the “Best New Development” category at the ISSF Annual Conference in Hong Kong.
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Olympus portable digital ultrasonic flaw detector has full-screen A-scan mode
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Olympus Scientific Solutions Americas Inc., Waltham, Mass., introduces the Epoch 650 digital ultrasonic flaw detector that combines conventional ultrasonic flaw detection capabilities with the efficiency of a highly portable, intuitive instrument. Its user interface is appropriate for both novice and experienced users, and its portability and rugged ergonomic design allow convenient operation in nearly any inspection environment.
Available in two hardware configurations, the compact Epoch 650 offers the choice to adjust parameters with a knob or with a navigation area on the keypad. The large, color, transflective VGA display is complemented by a full screen A-scan mode, providing a vivid A-scan representation in both low light and bright sunlight conditions.
Its patented digital High Dynamic Range receiver meets the requirements of EN12668-1:2010, and the instrument allows a full range of standard and optional flaw detection features. Key standard flaw detection features include 400V PerfectSquare tunable square wave pulser, up to 30 digital filters for enhanced signal-to-noise ratio, and flexible reporting capabilities direct to removable memory. Optional application-specific software programs include an Interface tracking gate, Backwall Echo Attenuator (BEA), API 5UE, and Waveform Averaging.
It also features an optional Corrosion Module mode, which combines the ease of use and measurement precision of a dedicated corrosion thickness gage with the full functionality of a standard flaw detector. This mode includes an encoded B-scan function.
Weighing only 1.6 kg (3.5 lb.), the rugged case is built to withstand the rigors of very harsh and hazardous inspection environments. The navigation pad configuration is designed to meet IP67 requirements for very wet or dusty conditions, while the knob configuration is designed to meet IP66 requirements. The instrument, with its rubber bumpers on all corners, is tested to high reliability standards for drops, shocks, vibration, and explosive atmosphere. And with a battery life between 15 and 16 hours, the Epoch 650 is the perfect solution for remote and difficult-to-access inspection locations.
www.olympusamerica.com
Olympus Scientific Solutions Americas Inc., Waltham, Mass., introduces the Epoch 650 digital ultrasonic flaw detector that combines conventional ultrasonic flaw detection capabilities with the efficiency of a highly portable, intuitive instrument.
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Program focuses on future materials scientists
May 21, 2015
Source: ASM International
With advances in science and technology, today’s high school students could end up working with materials that don’t even exist today.
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New method for friction stir welding aluminum is ten times faster
May 20, 2015
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Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Wash., in partnership with General Motors, Alcoa, and the Tailor Welded Blank (TWB) Co., have developed a friction stir welding technique that is said to be ten times faster than current FSW techniques. This represents production speeds that meet high-volume assembly requirements for rapidly joining aluminum sheets of varying thicknesses. The process is also said to be capable of delivering a car door that is 62% lighter and 25% cheaper than possible with today's manufacturing methods.
The technology is reported in the May issue of JOM, the member journal of the Minerals, Metals & Materials Society. "We looked at the barriers preventing the use of more lightweight alloys in cars, picked what we felt was a top challenge, and then formulated a team that represented the entire supply chain to tackle it," said Yuri Hovanski, the program manager at PNNL and lead author. "The result is a proven process that overcomes the speed, scale, and quality limitations of FSW that previously were showstoppers for the auto industry."
The two-phase, six-year project is funded by the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy with in-kind partner contributions from each of the participating companies.
http://www.twbcompany.com
http://www.pnnl.gov/news/release.aspx?id=4200#.VVECQt-HGZY.email
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Wash., in partnership with General Motors, Alcoa, and the Tailor Welded Blank (TWB) Co., have developed a friction stir welding technique that is said to be ten times faster than current FSW techniques.
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