Ametek acquires VTI Instruments for its high-accuracy test/measurement solutions
February 12, 2014
Source:
Ametek Inc., Berwyn, Pa., announces that it has acquired VTI Instruments, Irvine, Calif., which manufactures a wide range of signal conditioning and switching instruments, data acquisition solutions, and integrated test systems for demanding electrical and structural testing applications where high measurement accuracy is critical. It joins Ametek as part of its Electronic Instruments Group (EIG), which produces advanced monitoring, testing, calibrating, and display instruments with 2013 sales of $2.0 billion.
VTI, acquired from an investor group led by Merit Capital Partners and Alerion Capital Group, has annual sales of approximately $38 million. "VTI is an excellent acquisition for Ametek. It is a market leader in high end data acquisition and precision instrumentation with deep technical expertise and applications knowledge," comments Frank S. Hermance, AMETEK Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "The acquisition of VTI broadens our capabilities in the high end test and measurement market and provides us with additional technology differentiation, especially in the high-precision segment of the Aerospace market."
VTI has operations in Irvine, and additional facilities in Cleveland, Ohio, and Bangalore, India.
www.ametek.com
Ametek Inc., Berwyn, Pa., announces that it has acquired VTI Instruments, Irvine, Calif., which manufactures a wide range of signal conditioning and switching instruments, data acquisition solutions, and integrated test systems.
Continue reading
Penn Stainless and Lehigh collaborate to study stainless steel corrosion and welding
January 28, 2014
Source:
Penn Stainless Products, Quakertown, and Lehigh University, both of Pennsylvania, have announced a collaborative effort to provide metal users with access to the expertise in Lehigh's Materials Science and Engineering Department.
This strategic partnership will enable them to work together to expand knowledge and collaborative opportunities between material end users and the research community. The alliance is designed to resolve technical issues related to corrosion and welding, while giving students the opportunity to learn about the practical challenges associated with manufacturing and engineering.
Lehigh's research experience in metallurgy and metalworking processes such as welding and forming align perfectly with Penn's diverse inventory of stainless, duplex, and nickel-base alloys, as well as its customer base of fabricators, machine shops, and engineering, specialty construction, and process industries.
Penn Stainless will provide Lehigh faculty and students with access to over 20 specialty stainless, duplex and nickel alloys for research and experimentation, processing capabilities, and insight into issues impacting metal users across a wide range of industry segments and applications.
According to Dr. John DuPont, of the Materials Science and Engineering Department, "We are very pleased to work with Penn Stainless Products. It's vital that our students understand the real-world issues facing metal consumers, and the company's extensive inventory and processing expertise is an invaluable asset that will help our students to complete experiments."
www.pennstainless.com
Penn Stainless Products, Quakertown, and Lehigh University, both of Pennsylvania, have announced a collaborative effort to provide metal users with access to the expertise in Lehigh’s Materials Science and Engineering Department.
Continue reading
Alcoa Dura-Bright commercial truck wheel is ten times more resistant to corrosion
January 24, 2014
Source:
Alcoa, Pittsburgh, introduces the surface-treated Dura-Bright EVO commercial truck wheel, said to be ten times more resistant to corrosion that is primarily caused by road salts and weather. Dura-Bright is not a coating, but rather a surface treatment that penetrates the aluminum and becomes an integral part of the wheel. In addition, Alcoa's wheels are made from one piece of forged aluminum, making them lighter and five times stronger than steel wheels, increasing payload and fuel efficiency.
In addition, the wheel is up to three times more resistant to chemicals, including hydrofluoric acid, found in the toughest truck wash cleaning agents. This enables the use of a wider variety of cleaning solutions to simplify maintenance, while preserving the integrity and brightness of the wheel.
Alcoa's surface treatment experts at the Alcoa Technical Center developed the Dura-Bright wheel technology in collaboration with the Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products business. The Company launched the first Dura-Bright product in 2003. Three years later, Alcoa's experts improved the brightness and corrosion performance of the Dura-Bright treatment and introduced Dura-Bright wheels with XBR technology. Alcoa's scientists have now enhanced the patented Dura-Bright technology with the development of Dura-Bright EVO wheels.
The Dura-Bright EVO wheel is now commercially available in Europe, where the Company has already seen significant adoption of its Dura-Bright wheels. Alcoa has begun producing the wheel at its manufacturing plant in Székesfehérvár, Hungary. The wheel is expected to be available in all other markets in 2015.
http://www.alcoa.com/global/en/news/news_detail.asp?pageID=20140123000187en&newsYear=2014
Alcoa, Pittsburgh, introduces the surface-treated Dura-Bright EVO commercial truck wheel, said to be ten times more resistant to corrosion that is primarily caused by road salts and weather.
Continue reading
Missile canard for use in EAPS test flight
January 3, 2014
Source:
Liquidmetal Technologies Inc., Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., delivered missile canards that are being fitted for a future test of Lockheed Martin's (Bethesda, Md.) EAPS (Extended Area Protection and Survivability) missile, an advanced performance, highly affordable hit-to-kill missile interceptor designed to defeat rocket, artillery, and mortar (RAM) targets with significantly reduced probabilities for collateral damage.
Working in collaboration with Lockheed Martin's advanced design team, Liquidmetal's unique alloy and process methods yield parts with dimensional consistency and precision at an affordable cost. Canards made from the new alloy meet the close geometric tolerances required for supersonic flight. The parts consistently meet tolerances and the shape and weight of each part is nearly identical, which is desirable for this application. The parts also have greater strength to weight than steel or titanium. Once the design is finalized, parts can be produced in high volumes with short lead times.
"Lockheed Martin has been an ideal development partner for this breakthrough application for Liquidmetal Technologies, creating a high precision, high performance part at a lower cost," said Bruce Bromage, EVP of Business Development with Liquidmetal Technologies.
More information:
Liquidmetal Technologies
Lockheed Martin
Liquidmetal Technologies Inc., Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., delivered missile canards that are being fitted for a future test of Lockheed Martin’s (Bethesda, Md.) EAPS (Extended Area Protection and Survivability) missile.
Continue reading 