One Minute Mentor: Carbonitriding
January 3, 2020 Source: ASM International
In addition to having many of the same benefits as carburizing, carbonitriding also has the added benefit of nitrogen diffused in the surface layer, which stabilizes retained austenite.
Continue readingCan-Eng Furnaces to design heat treating system for thin-wall aluminum die castings
May 7, 2019 Source:
Can-Eng Furnaces, Niagara Falls, Ontario, has been chosen to design and commission a high-capacity heat-treatment system for a Tier 1 global automotive manufacturing company. The new system provides T-6 and T-7 processing capabilities for lightweight aluminum high-pressure die casting automotive components.
Features of the system include Can-Eng’s proven lean manufacturing robotically integrated part handling system with individual part processing features that deliver predictable metallurgical and part dimensional properties; precision air quenching technology; Level 2 automation for the managing of individual component parameter traceability; system diagnostics; and CQI-9 reporting. The system is scheduled for commissioning in the first quarter of 2020, and will support a next-model-generation luxury SUV being released in 2021.
Can-Eng Furnaces International is a global provider of state-of-the-art thermal processing systems for ferrous and nonferrous metals, and is a significant supplier to the automotive community through direct and tier supply.
Can-Eng Furnaces, Niagara Falls, Ontario, has been chosen to design and commission a high-capacity heat-treatment system for a Tier 1 global automotive manufacturing company.
Continue readingSeco Warwick reports record order portfolio and 10% sales increase over 2017
March 20, 2019 Source:
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.
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.
Continue readingDesktop Metal’s single-pass jetting is four times faster than other binder jet 3D printers
January 27, 2019 Source:
Desktop Metal, Burlington, Mass., announces several major advances and expanded capabilities to its Production System, the world’s fastest metal printer, delivering the lowest cost per part with the highest capacity of any metal 3D printing system available. Low-cost MIM powder, high throughput, and simple post-processing deliver per-part costs that are competitive with traditional manufacturing processes—and up to 20x lower than today’s metal 3D printing systems.
The installation of the first Production System is scheduled for Q1 2019 to a Fortune 500 company among Desktop Metal’s early Pioneer customers. Additional customer installations at major automotive, heavy duty, and leading metal parts manufacturers will follow throughout 2019, with broad availability in 2020.
Powered by Single Pass Jetting technology, the Production System is the first and only metal 3D printing system for mass production that delivers the speed, quality, and cost-per-part needed to compete with traditional manufacturing processes. It is more than four times faster than any binder jet competitor and offers a 100 times speed improvement over any laser-based system. Since it was first introduced, advancements to the technology and capacity of the Production System have expanded to include:
â–º Accelerated printing speeds to 12,000 cm3 per hour, making it the fastest metal 3D printer in the world with the highest capacity;
► The company’s flagship configuration now features an expanded build volume of 750 x 330 x 250 mm, a 225 percent improvement, designed for higher throughput and efficiency;
â–º Two full-width print bars, advanced powder spreaders, and anti-ballistic system that work to spread powder and print in a single quick pass across the build area - making it the most sophisticated single pass inkjet print head ever installed in a binder jet system;
â–º 32,768 piezo inkjet nozzles that enables the broadest range of binder chemistries to print an array of metals - including tool steels, low alloy steels, titanium, and aluminum - at a rate of 3 billion drops per second;
â–º First and only binder jet system with an industrial inert environment, including gas recycling and solvent recovery, to safely print reactive metals in mass production; and
â–º Capability to print more than 60 kilograms of metal parts per hour.
Desktop Metal, Burlington, Mass., announces several major advances and expanded capabilities to its Production System, the world’s fastest metal printer, delivering the lowest cost per part with the highest capacity of any metal 3D printing system available.
Continue readingBuehler introduces programmable AutoMet grinder-polishers with intuitive touch screen
December 28, 2018 Source:
Buehler, an ITW company, Lake Bluff, Ill., introduces the AutoMet family, semi-automatic grinder-polishers with advanced programming features such as method storage and z-axis material removal to ensure consistent results regardless of operator.
The AutoMet 250, AutoMet 250 Pro, and AutoMet 300 Pro grinder-polishers are ideal for customers in material testing or demanding environments who need to process a high volume of samples. They feature a brand new intuitive touch screen interface that is simple to learn and quick to operate. The AutoMet Pro models also include advanced programming features such as method storage and z-axis material removal to ensure consistent results regardless of operator.
The AutoMet supports complex lab applications and is also ideal for high throughput labs, especially in the automobile, aerospace, medical device, electronics, heat treat, metals, and other manufacturing industries.
Buehler’s non-programmable AutoMet 250 Grinder-Polisher offers push-button controls and digital readouts. All AutoMet models have been redesigned for a new look and feel, while retaining the reliability that comes with the Buehler name. Quick cleaning features like an adjustable water spout, 360-degree bowl rinse, and bowl liners save time and effort during daily cleaning.
Automation can be further improved by integrating the Burst Dispensing System, which also optimizes abrasive usage to save on consumables. Another new highlight of the AutoMet grinder-polishers is “Rinse and Spin,†which cleans polishing surfaces and the platen at the press of a button. Buehler also offers a complete line of compatible accessories (splash guard, recirculation tank, disposable bowl liner and more) and consumables (silicon carbide grinding discs, diamond grinding discs, polishing cloths and diamond suspensions and pastes) that are available in the online shop.
Buehler, an ITW company, Lake Bluff, Ill., introduces the AutoMet family, semi-automatic grinder-polishers with advanced programming features such as method storage and z-axis material removal to ensure consistent results regardless of operator.
Continue readingInstron “Errors in Your Data” online course helps operators identify data integrity issues
December 6, 2018 Source:
Instron, Norwood, Mass., launches an all-new online training course designed to help operators of materials testing systems understand data integrity issues they may encounter during testing. The Instron Training Center, the official training service for Instron materials testing systems, is expanding its offerings with the release of its all-new online eLearning Course, “Errors in Your Data.†This 60-minute course is tailored for both new and experienced operators of materials testing equipment, including lab technicians and engineers who seek to understand the various data integrity issues that they might encounter.
Using an online diagnostic approach, the “Errors in Your Data†course shows operators how to identify errors caused by a variety of factors, including physical measurements (load cells/extensometers), testing fixtures, misalignments, software method development, temperature and humidity, and more. The course explains potential causes of these errors and teaches you how to resolve them in a timely manner.
“Data errors can be hugely detrimental, not to mention frustrating,†says Carmen Corriveau of the Instron Training Center. “So we made this course available online to create a convenient way for organizations to empower their operators to diagnose and get to the root cause of the most common errors seen in materials testing, and then resolve these issues so that the lab can get back to testing.â€
Introduced in 2017, the Instron eLearning Courses debuted with the popular “Basic Introduction to Materials Testing: Static†course, which provides an overview of the theory and practice of static materials testing. This is one of many training options the Instron Training Center offers, including onsite training at customer sites, regional courses, and training classes at the Instron factory.
http://www.instron.us/en-us/service-and-support/training/on-line/errors-in-your-data
Instron, Norwood, Mass., launches an all-new online training course designed to help operators of materials testing systems understand data integrity issues they may encounter during testing.
Continue readingIpsen USA receives orders for nine Titan vacuum furnaces and seven others in October
November 11, 2018 Source:
Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, secured multiple vacuum furnace orders last month, ending with a total of 16 new orders, including nine Titan vacuum furnaces, a record month in the 10-year production of the global platform product. Titan is known for its versatility and these furnaces continue to prove that, as they will be shipped worldwide for use in a variety of applications for companies in aerospace, automotive, and commercial heat-treating industries.
Titan furnaces:
--Are available in several sizes with horizontal or vertical configurations, nitrogen or argon quench and graphite or all-metal hot zone construction
--Incorporate a high-definition display with a touch screen
--Support a variety of standard processes, including hardening, annealing, tempering and brazing
--Are capable of meeting applicable AMS 2750, Nadcap and MedAccred requirements
--Maintain tight temperature uniformity of ±10 °F (±5 °C) from 1,000 °F to 2,400 °F (540 °C to 1,320 °C)
--Use approximately 40% less floor space¹, and its compact design allows for ease of installation
In addition to the strong bookings for the Titan product line, Ipsen also sold seven custom units, including MetalMaster, TurboTreater, and vacuum aluminum brazing furnaces.
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Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, secured multiple vacuum furnace orders last month, ending with a total of 16 new orders, including nine Titan vacuum furnaces, a record month in the 10-year production of the global platform product.
Continue readingGKN to build functional metal parts for Volkswagen with HP Metal Jet 3D printer
November 3, 2018 Source: ASM International
GKN Powder Metallurgy, Cinnaminson, N.J., announces a strategic collaboration with HP Inc. in which GKN will be the first to deploy the just-launched HP Metal Jet, based on binder jetting technology, into its factories to produce functional metal parts for auto and industrial leaders, including Volkswagen and Wilo, and for companies around the world.
Continue readingNew Surface Combustion website enables easy access to designs of heat treating furnaces
October 28, 2018 Source: ASM International
Surface Combustion Inc., Maumee, Ohio, has recently updated its website, which provides details about its standard atmosphere and vacuum furnace designs.
Continue readingIpsen ships Titan vacuum furnaces, custom furnaces, and box furnaces in third quarter
October 26, 2018 Source:
Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, announces strong third quarter furnace shipment results. The shipments include several Titan vacuum furnaces from the platform product line, several custom horizontal and vertical vacuum furnaces, and multiple atmosphere box furnaces, all designed to meet customer specifications. Many of these shipments also included PdMetrics software for predictive maintenance.
“I think the diverse products shipped in the last few months really show the range of solutions Ipsen has available to meet our customers’ needs,†said Pete Kerbel, Vice President of Sales. “These furnaces shipped across the United States and to six countries worldwide, to help mission-critical applications across a variety of industries. We continue to listen closely to our customers and find the solution that best fits their needs.â€
Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, announces strong third quarter furnace shipment results.
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