Alcoa to invest $60 million to develop its Ampliforge 3D-printing plus forging process
September 9, 2015
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Alcoa, Pittsburgh, is investing $60 million in its R&D center to accelerate the development of advanced 3D-printing materials and processes. Its Ampliforge process combines advanced materials with additive and traditional manufacturing processes. For example, Alcoa engineers could design and 3D-print a nearly complete part, then increase the strength of the final part with a traditional manufacturing process such as forging.
The company says that the process can enhance the properties of 3D-printed parts by adding such properties as higher toughness and strength, versus parts made solely by additive manufacturing. Furthermore, the Ampliforge process is said to significantly reduce material input and to simplify production compared with traditional forging processes. Alcoa is piloting the technique in Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
Alcoa will produce materials designed specifically for a range of additive technologies to meet increasing demand for complex, high-performance 3D-printed parts for aerospace and other high-growth markets such as automotive, medical, and building and construction. The $60 million expansion is under construction at the Alcoa Technical Center near Pittsburgh.
Alcoa's materials scientists will produce proprietary aluminum, titanium, and nickel powders designed specifically for 3D-printing. These powders will be tailored for various additive manufacturing processes to produce higher-strength 3D-printed parts, and to meet other quality and performance requirements.
With the industry's longest-running history of certifying aerospace components and qualifying processes, Alcoa will use its testing and process control expertise to overcome challenges with certifying new 3D-printed parts, starting with aerospace applications.
Construction of the new facility is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2016. The project will create more than 100 full-time positions—including materials specialists, design experts, and process and inspection technologists—by 2017, and approximately 45 temporary jobs during construction.
www.alcoa.com
Alcoa, Pittsburgh, is investing $60 million in its R&D center to accelerate the development of advanced 3D-printing materials and processes.
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Materion to provide AlBeCast components to Lockheed Martin for F-35 jet
August 26, 2015
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Materion Beryllium & Composites, Elmore, Ohio, announces that it has delivered the first finished AlBeCast aluminum-beryllium investment cast components to Lockheed Martin for the F-35 Lightning II Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS). These alloys are 25% less dense than aluminum and have four times the specific stiffness of aluminum, titanium, steel, and magnesium. They have higher damping capacity than aluminum, and a coefficient of thermal expansion almost 50% lower.
Aluminum-beryllium materials and castings provide favorable cost/benefit advantages for technically demanding applications such as EOTS that require a combination of ultra-low density, high stiffness, mechanical stability, and thermal properties.
The proprietary AlBeCast technology extends Materion's aluminum-beryllium product offering beyond its powder metallurgy-derived AlBeMet materials by offering rapid prototyping and solidification modeling to provide investment cast parts with short lead times at competitive pricing.
EOTS is a high-performance, lightweight, multi-function system that provides precision air-to-air and air-to-surface targeting capability. As the first sensor to combine forward-looking infrared and infrared search and track functionality, EOTS enhances situational awareness and allows aircrews to identify areas of interest, perform reconnaissance, and precisely deliver laser- and GPS-guided weapons. Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 170 EOTS for the F-35 Lightning II.
www.materion.com
Materion Beryllium & Composites, Elmore, Ohio, announces that it has delivered the first finished AlBeCast aluminum-beryllium investment cast components to Lockheed Martin for the F-35 Lightning II Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS).
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CoorsTek Medical to expand production of CeraSurf alumina matrix composites
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CoorsTek Medical, Fort Worth, Texas, announces a five-year, multi-million dollar capital investment program to support the growing worldwide demand for its ceramic hip replacement components and turnkey hip arthroplasty solutions. The investment funds a twenty-fold production expansion of CeraSurf alumina matrix composites.
The CoorsTek Medical's CeraSurf alumina matrix composite is both CE-compliant and substantially equivalent to the latest generation material used in ceramic hip implants today. Since 2011, more than 7000 CeraSurf hip balls and acetabular liners have been sold for distribution across key global markets
As the largest manufacturer of engineered ceramics, CoorsTek produces critical-duty products and components for 10,000 customers from its portfolio of more than 300 advanced materials. CoorsTek Medical provides specialized OEM medical device solutions designed around durable, biocompatible ceramic technology - delivering more than 1,000,000 components annually to the world's leading medical device manufacturers.
"As we engage medical innovators and key opinion leaders globally, they are applying the unique, high performance benefits of our ceramic materials to improve the longevity and lifestyle for more patients each year," explains Jonathan Coors, CEO of CoorsTek Medical. "Our valued partners deserve a choice and will be successful with a trusted partner who embraces today's dynamic healthcare economy. This investment demonstrates the CoorsTek Medical commitment to being that partner of choice for implant-grade ceramic materials which make lives measurably better."
www.coorstekmedical.com
CoorsTek Medical, Fort Worth, Texas, announces a five-year, multi-million dollar capital investment program to support the growing worldwide demand for its ceramic hip replacement components and turnkey hip arthroplasty solutions.
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Lake City acquires new vacuum furnace from VFS
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Lake City Heat Treating Corp., Warsaw, Ind., announces that it has acquired a new vacuum furnace, bringing the company's vacuum heat treating line to seven. The furnace features 6-bar capabilities, with a variable-speed 200 HP cooling blower. The VFS Model HIQ3836-6 furnace can achieve vacuums of 10−6 torr and process temperatures up to 2400°F with a work load size up to 24 x 24 x 36 in.
With this new furnace, LCHT now offers nitrogen as well as argon quench. These capabilities allow the company to process customer requirements to exact specifications. Lake City provides heat treating services for the aerospace, medical, and other quality-critical industries. It specializes in bright aging, hardening, annealing, and stress relieving of many different alloys, including nickel, cobalt, and titanium.
It provides aerospace heat treating, medical heat treating, and other state-of-the-art vacuum heat treating services for quality critical industries. Stainless steel tempering and other bright processing technologies are also available.
www.lakecityheattreating.com
Lake City Heat Treating Corp., Warsaw, Ind., announces that it has acquired a new vacuum furnace, bringing the company’s vacuum heat treating line to seven.
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Bioabsorbable magnesium wire for orthopaedic implants
August 7, 2015
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nanoMAG LLC, Livonia, Mich., developed a high strength bioabsorbable magnesium alloy, BioMg 250, whcih is now available in wire form for biomedical orthopaedic procedures. Building on the wire-making skills of Fort Wayne Metals, Ind., wire is available at 1.1 mm and 0.3 mm diameter. Yield strength varies between 300 and 370 MPa. The wire's ductility is demonstrated by the tight knot tied in the 0.3 mm wire (pictured). Potential applications in orthopaedics using wire include K wire, suture wire and cables, tension band wiring, mesh for stents, and fiber-mesh for reinforcing hydroxyapatite bone-filling cements.
nanoMAG often partners with biomedical implant makers to design and develop metallic implants to be bioabsorbable, according to Steve LeBeau, president. These implants are developed using proprietary alloys of magnesium and other compatible elements which provide the appropriate strength and bone support while healing occurs, after which the implant dissolves and is absorbed by the body. The alloy content of BioMg 250 is aluminum- and rare earth element-free. It is microalloyed with elements that are nutrients in the body and which foster new bone growth.
At the same time, these microalloying elements are balanced to provide high strength for bone fixing along with optimum bioabsorption rate to obviate any need for secondary removal operations. Suggested applications include screws, staples, tacks, wire, rods, plates, and 3D shapes for ligament fixations, craniofacial implants, and small bone implants. "These new magnesium parts could radically change how orthopaedic implants are made and used," said LeBeau.
nanoMAG is seeking potential partners interested in collaborating on new product development projects. The materials are being tested as part of an ongoing internal program to obtain FDA regulatory approval for the use of bioabsorbable magnesium alloy implants in orthopaedic applications.
This technology development was supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Contract No. 0847198 (Project Manager, Prakash Balan).
nanoMAG LLC, Livonia, Mich., developed a high strength bioabsorbable magnesium alloy, BioMg 250, whcih is now available in wire form for biomedical orthopaedic procedures.
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Alcoa acquires RTI International Metals to expand aerospace growth
July 22, 2015
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RTI International Metals Inc., Pittsburgh, announces that its shareholders have approved a merger agreement with Alcoa Inc., also of Pittsburgh. At RTI's annual meeting of shareholders yesterday, more than 94% of the shares voted at the meeting were in favor of the transaction, representing nearly 85% of all outstanding shares of RTI. The merger is expected to close on July 23, 2015, subject to the satisfaction of the remaining closing conditions set forth in the merger agreement.
"Alcoa is accelerating its value-add growth engine by acquiring titanium leader RTI," said Klaus Kleinfeld, Alcoa Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We are combining two innovators in materials science and process technology, shifting Alcoa's transformation into a higher gear. RTI expands our aerospace portfolio market reach and positions us to capture future growth to deliver compelling value for customers, shareholders and employees."
"Innovation and scale are critical to winning in both the titanium and aerospace industries today, which is why this transaction is such a natural strategic fit for both RTI and Alcoa," said Dawne Hickton, Vice Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer of RTI International Metals. "We are pleased to have an agreement with Alcoa that delivers immediate value to our shareholders that appropriately reflects the strength of our business. Through this combination of forces, RTI will take its innovative technologies to the next level and deliver even more value-add titanium solutions to meet customer needs. We look forward to continuing to accelerate RTI's success as a part of the Alcoa team."
The previously announced merger agreement provides that Alcoa will acquire all outstanding shares of RTI in a stock-for-stock transaction whereby RTI shareholders will receive 2.8315 Alcoa shares for each RTI share.
www.rtiintl.com
www.alcoa.com
RTI International Metals Inc., Pittsburgh, announces that its shareholders have approved a merger agreement with Alcoa Inc., also of Pittsburgh.
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Ultra 76 Plus tantalum alloy resists corrosion in hot concentrated acids
July 8, 2015
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H.C. Starck, Newton, Mass., introduces the Ultra 76 Plus tantalum alloy, which is designed to combat aggressive hazardous-chemical corrosion in hot concentrated acids. The alloy is based on the Ta2.5W alloy, which improves corrosion resistance by minimizing hydrogen embrittlement, extending equipment life, and reducing downtime.
Ultra 76 Plus was designed by H.C. Starck's Fabricated Products Division. It enables increased concentrations and operating temperatures in HCI, H2SO4, and other acids. It can add value to a multitude of products, from heat exchangers, condensers, and coils, to thermocouple protection sheaths, pumps, distillation columns, boilers, and condensers.
H.C. Starck's high-tech materials — molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum, niobium, and their alloys — are excellent choices for applications in high temperatures and severe environments. Tantalum, in particular, is widely used in electronics, chemical processes, and biomedical industries, where its alloys provide cost-effective, long service-life solutions for mission-critical components. In addition, it enables users to eliminate separate "Platinum Spot Welding" steps.
www.hcstarck.com
H.C. Starck, Newton, Mass., introduces the Ultra 76 Plus tantalum alloy, which is designed to combat aggressive hazardous-chemical corrosion in hot concentrated acids.
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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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Ametek acquires Global Tubes for its high-precision small-diameter tubing
May 15, 2015
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Ametek Inc., Berwyn, Pa., has acquired Global Tubes, a leading manufacturer of high-precision, small-diameter metal tubing, for approximately $200 million. Global Tubes manufactures highly customized metal tubing from a wide variety of metals and alloys, including stainless steel, nickel, zirconium, and titanium. Its products are used in highly engineered applications in the aerospace, energy, power generation, and medical markets.
The business has annual sales of approximately $120 million. Global Tubes is comprised of two businesses: Fine Tubes, based in Plymouth, U.K.; and Superior Tube, based in Collegeville, Pa.
"Global Tubes metallurgical capabilities, processing capabilities, and alloy ranges are complementary to our existing Specialty Metals businesses and give us the opportunity to expand our offerings both internationally and in attractive growth markets," says Frank S. Hermance, Ametek Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Global Tubes joins Ametek as part of its Electromechanical Group (EMG) -- a differentiated supplier of electrical interconnects, precision motion control solutions, medical components, specialty metals, thermal management systems, and specialty motors.
www.ametek.com
Ametek Inc., Berwyn, Pa., has acquired Global Tubes, a leading manufacturer of high precision, small diameter metal tubing, for approximately $200 million.
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Lake City Heat Treating acquires VFS vacuum furnace
May 6, 2015
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Lake City Heat Treating Corp., Warsaw, Ind., has acquired a VFS Model HIQ3836-6 furnace that can achieve vacuums of 10-6 torr and process temperatures up to 2400°F with a workload size up to 24 x 24 x 36 in. It features "6 bar" capabilities with a variable-speed 200-hp cooling blower. With this new furnace, the company now offers nitrogen as well as argon quench. It also allows processing customer requirements to exact specifications.
Lake City provides heat treating services for the aerospace, medical, and other quality-critical industries. It specializes in bright aging, hardening, annealing, and stress-relieving of many different alloys, including; nickel, cobalt and titanium.
The new furnace brings the company's vacuum heat treating line to seven.
www.lakecityheattreating.com
Lake City Heat Treating Corp., Warsaw, Ind., has acquired a VFS Model HIQ3836-6 furnace that can achieve vacuums of 10-6 torr and process temperatures up to 2400°F with a workload size up to 24 x 24 x 36 in.
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