Varying heat treatment processes enable treating range of workloads

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Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, Ill., reports that Rockford Heat Treaters, Rockford, Ill., uses its Titan furnace for thermal processing requirements that change on a daily or even hourly basis. The Titan furnace features a flow-production process for integration of premium components, thereby providing durable equipment with multi-purpose processing capabilities. RHT's furnace has work-zone dimensions of 450 x 450 x 600 mm, with a hearth gross load weight capacity of 2000 lb.

It also features an internal nitrogen cooling system with gas injection nozzles360 degrees around the circumference of the hot zone, as well as a diffusion pump for cleaner parts and less oxidation.

The Titan furnace requires simple maintenance, thanks to the in-built preventive maintenance feature in the software. This feature enables smooth running of the processes. Moreover, alerts are sent by the system software to schedule preventive maintenance measures. It is possible to set the parameters gauging furnace components such as oil level and hot zone hours to provide alerts to operators about the necessity to inspect a specific component of the furnace.

New recipes can be set easily using the software for faster times between cycles, convenient transfer between different processes, and reduced transition errors. High adaptability and improved part cleanliness allows RHT to handle a wide range of jobs that were previously not possible.

For instance, RHT is now able to carry out nickel brazing jobs, thanks to improved component cleanliness.

www.ipsenusa.com

Hybrid NDT system combines magnetic and ultrasound techniques

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The Fraunhofer Institute for Nondestructive Testing, Germany, reports that researchers have developed a hybrid NDT technology in which micromagnetic and ultrasound inspection are combined. Called MAGNUS (for MAGneticUltraSound), the system involves placing multiple sensors at different positions on sheet steel, enabling accurate characterization of sheet steel properties such as ductility and weldability.

For many years, magnetic test methods have been used in the area of strip steel inspection for online determination of the mechanical-technological characteristics. "While the micromagnetic method helps us to determine properties such as hardness, tensile strength, and internal stress, ultrasound testing informs us about the texture of the material, a critical factor governing its deformation characteristics during the deep drawing process," explains Fraunhofer research scientist Dr. Klaus Szielasko, who is leading the MAGNUS project.
A demonstrator including two sensors has been assembled and is currently under test. The project runs out in January 2015. Until then, test data will be gathered by Fraunhofer in close collaboration with its French partner and industry experts. After these results are evaluated, first steps shall be taken to initiate working groups for further development of the hybrid micromagnetics/ultrasound application.

MAGNUS brings together scientists from Fraunhofer IZFP and their colleagues at the Technical Centre for Mechanical Industry CETIM in Senlis, one of the network of French Carnot institutes.

"We placed particular emphasis on coming up with a cost-effective tool and sensor concept," stresses Dr. Szielasko. Within the scope of industrial contracts, three systems for heavy plate inspection have already been manufactured based on MAGNUS technology.

www.izfp.fraunhofer.de

Constellium to supply can stock as Rexam changes steel can lines to aluminum

October 9, 2014
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Constellium, Amsterdam, announces that it has been awarded an additional contract to supply can stock to Rexam PLC, a leading beverage can maker. Under this agreement, Constellium will support Rexam's decision to convert all the can production lines of its two Spanish plants in La Selva and Valdemorillo  from steel to aluminum. Because of its light weight and resilient properties, and the fact that it can be endlessly recycled without loss of properties, aluminum contributes to the reduction of freight loads and fuel costs.

Constellium expects can makers across Europe to continue converting their production lines from steel to aluminum, due to its many advantages for packaging applications. Aluminum provides an excellent barrier to oxygen, light, and moisture, while featuring a shiny appearance.

Constellium is Europe's largest supplier of aluminum can body stock and plays a leading role in recycling, a key business and environmental commitment.

www.constellium.com

Solar Atmospheres selects Greenville as location for southeastern division

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Solar Atmospheres, Souderton, Pa., announces that it has selected Greenville, S.C., for the site of its 54,000 ft² southeast division. The facility, which will be operational in the near future, represents a major expansion for its companies,with an investment in excess of $15 million, including building, property, new vacuum furnaces, and a facility-wide closed-loop water cooling system to ensure continuous uptime for customers.

Vacuum furnaces and support equipment are currently being scheduled for installation and startup. Furnace sizes will range from vacuum furnaces capable of supporting small production lots and development work, to a 24 ft. car bottom furnace for processing large, heavy loads. Process capabilities will range from standard vacuum heat treating to vacuum carburizing, vacuum annealing, vacuum stress relieving, vacuum brazing, and other specialized vacuum thermal processes as well as research and development activity.

Company representatives expect the Greenville facility to open by the end of the first quarter of 2015. The company operates three existing facilities in the United States, two in Pennsylvania and another in California.

www.solaratm.com