Steel Dynamics to acquire Severstal’s steel mill in Columbus, Mississippi
July 29, 2014
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Steel Dynamics Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind., has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Severstal Columbus (Mississippi) from OAO Severstal, Russia. Commissioned in 2007, Severstal Columbus is one of the only North American flat roll mills to have 76-in-wide hot roll, 74-in.-wide cold roll, and 72-in.-wide galvanized sheet capabilities. These and other production capabilities will broaden Steel Dynamics' product portfolio with regard to width, gauge, and strength, and enhance its position as a leading North American steel producer.
The acquisition expands Steel Dynamics' annual steel shipping capacity to 11.0 million tons, representing an approximate 40% increase. The additional exposure to the high-growth OCTG and automotive segments complements Steel Dynamics' market offerings.
"The acquisition of Columbus represents a significant step in the continuation of our growth strategy," stated Chief Executive Officer, Mark Millett. "It leverages our core strengths, and at the same time fulfills our initiatives to further increase value-added product and market diversification."
The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings and cash flow per share, and to generate approximately $30 million in pretax earnings synergies per annum.
Severstal Columbus is one of North America's newest mini-mills with 645 employees and an estimated annual hot-roll production capacity of 3.4 million tons. Columbus produces a broad range of high-quality hot-rolled, cold-rolled, and galvanized sheet products for customers primarily in the distributor, construction, automotive and pipe and tube markets. Columbus is strategically located in Mississippi to serve the high-growth markets in the Southern U.S. and Mexico, providing geographic diversification and growth opportunities for Steel Dynamics.
Steel Dynamics, Inc. is one of the largest domestic steel producers and metals recyclers in the United States based on current estimated annual steelmaking and metals recycling capability, with annual sales of $7.4 billion in 2013, over 6,800 employees, and manufacturing facilities primarily located throughout the United States (including five existing steel mills, six steel processing facilities, two iron production facilities, over 90 metals recycling locations and six steel fabrication plants).
http://www.steeldynamics.com
Steel Dynamics Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind., has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Severstal Columbus (Mississippi) from OAO Severstal, Russia.
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Ipsen video shows how to check for leaks in a vacuum heat treating system
July 28, 2014
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Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., has prepared a video called "How to Perform a Leak Check with a Mass Spectrometer" for vacuum heat treating systems. The video provides step-by-step instructions on how to correctly perform a leak check, from how to calibrate a helium mass spectrometer to determining what part of the furnace is the source of the leak. It also includes tips for keeping furnaces running at peak performance.
This video is just one of many that are soon to come. The video is the first post on Ipsen's new blog, The Ipsen, Harold, which may be viewed at www.IpsenHarold.com.
With a focus on simplifying technical and complex material, as well as revealing tips of the trade, this blog is intended to establish an open dialogue between readers and Ipsen experts. Weekly blog entries will be posted on The Ipsen, Harold and will cover topics ranging from preventive maintenance and the top five things you should know about preventing downtime, to tips on becoming a brazing superhero and optimizing your processes. Readers are also granted the opportunity to subscribe to the blog and receive weekly emails with the newest blog entries and expert advice delivered straight into their inbox.
www.ipsenusa.com
Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., has prepared a video called “How to Perform a Leak Check with a Mass Spectrometer” for vacuum heat treating systems.
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TimkenSteel to invest $40 million in continuous heat-treating facility
July 23, 2014
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TimkenSteel Corp., Canton, Ohio, announces plans to invest $40 million to build an additional continuous heat-treating facility in the United States. The company is evaluating locations and plans to make that decision in the third quarter of 2014. The facility would be fully operational within two years, and would have capacity for 50,000 tons annually of 4-inch to 13-inch bars and tubes. It would be larger than any of the company's three existing thermal treatment facilities in Canton.
TimkenSteel serves global equipment manufacturers and service companies with customized products and services for their most demanding applications in down-hole tools and top-of-hole infrastructure. The company's integrated supply chain combines high-performance material, industry-leading thermal treatment, proprietary machining processes, and responsive delivery capabilities.
"Many of the applications require higher-performance steels that give our customers confidence as they push the limits of what's possible. This investment is foundational to our ability to grow some of our most unique and sophisticated product lines to meet those needs," said Shawn J. Seanor, executive vice president of Energy and Distribution. "Additional continuous heat-treat capabilities provide the flexibility to create more customized steels to serve energy and other markets that have a strong long-term outlook. That continuous innovation is a key part of our unique business model."
http://www.timkensteel.com
TimkenSteel Corp., Canton, Ohio, announces plans to invest $40 million to build an additional continuous heat-treating facility in the United States.
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Phased-array wheel probe designed for ultrasonic inspection without immersion
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Olympus America, Center Valley, Pa., introduces the RollerForm, a new phased -array wheel probe designed for ultrasonic inspection of composites and other smooth-surfaced materials. The unique tire material has been specifically developed to guarantee high-quality, immersion-like ultrasonic testing. Minimal couplant and pressure is required for the RollerForm to provide excellent coupling and a strong signal, even in difficult scanning positions.
An affordable and easy-to-implement replacement for full 2-D encoding systems, the RollerFORM also offers a viable alternative to immersion techniques.
In addition to providing exceptional coupling, the tire of the RollerFORM wheel is made of a unique material that closely matches the acoustic impedance of water. This design feature permits the efficient transmission of energy to the part without unwanted echoes, obtaining an optimum 1 mm near-surface resolution in composites when using the 5-MHz phased array probe model.
The 3.5-MHz phased array probe model is better suited for certain thicker, more attenuating materials. Since the tire is transparent, it is easy to identify the presence of air bubbles or contaminants within the water chamber.
The RollerForm, combined with a phased array instrument such as an OmniScan or the Focus LT, uses zero-degree ultrasonic beams for manufacturing and maintenance inspections. Common applications include delamination sizing and porosity quantification in composite core material, as well as wall-loss monitoring in aluminum panels. With its integrated indexing button, the ergonomically designed it enables mapping the surface of an inspected material by acquiring multiple one-line C-scans and combining them in real time into a single image. The built-in laser guide facilitates straight and precise one-line scans.
http://www.olympus-ims.com/en/rollerform/
Olympus America, Center Valley, Pa., introduces the RollerForm, a new phased-array wheel probe designed for ultrasonic inspection of composites and other smooth-surfaced materials.
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Sciaky’s electron beam additive manufacturing systems now available for purchase
Source: ASM International
Sciaky Inc., a subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries, Chicago, will now offer its electron beam additive manufacturing (EBAM) systems for purchase, with accelerated delivery opportunities available as early as Sept. 1.
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ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe invests $121 million to modernize Duisburg continuous caster
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ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe, Germany, is investing $121 million to modernize continuous caster 1 in Duisburg-Beeckerwerth to improve slab quality and widen the product range. It is scheduled to go back into operation in just under eight weeks. The work is being carried out in parallel with the reline of blast furnace 2 in order to minimize production losses.
Continuous caster 1 is designed for steel slabs with widths between 1000 and 2150 millimeters and a thickness of up to 257 millimeters. The rebuild of the two-strand bow-type caster includes a new ladle turret and an 80-ton tundish including car, the replacement of the casting machine itself, and the installation of new measuring systems. A key element of the modernization is a new cooling system. Previously slabs were sprayed with water across their full width. A new air-water cooling technology will permit gentler, more accurate cooling of the hot strand.
In the future it will be possible to switch individual nozzles on and off, so allowing targeted cooling of defined zones across the width of the strand. "Thanks to air-water cooling we will have next to no edge defects in slabs anymore," explains Dr. Arnd Köfler, Head of Crude Steel at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe. "This will significantly improve the surface quality of the steel, particularly the higher-strength grades our customers are increasingly requesting."
Continuous caster 1 was built in 1974 and has been modernized twice since. The revamp is therefore essential. Alongside this unit there is a second continuous caster in Beeckerwerth and another one in the Bruckhausen plant. The capacity of continuous caster 1 is around 2.3 million tons per year. Since it began operation 40 years ago it has produced more than 80 million tons of steel, enough to build almost 1,100 copies of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The two continuous casters in Beeckerwerth provide work for roughly 170 employees. They produce high-quality slabs for special steels, mainly for the auto industry, as well as tinplate for the packaging industry, high-strength steels, skelp and quarto plate.
www.thyssenkrupp-steel-europe.com/en
ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe, Germany, is investing $121 million to modernize continuous caster 1 in Duisburg-Beeckerwerth to improve slab quality and widen the product range.
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AK Steel acquires Severstal’s Dearborn steelmaking assets
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AK Steel, West Chester, Ohio, has signed an agreement to acquire Severstal North America's integrated steelmaking assets located in Dearborn, Mich., for $700 million in cash. The acquisition also includes a cokemaking facility and interests in three joint ventures that process flat-rolled steel products. The Dearborn plant produces high-quality, flat-rolled steels, primarily for the automotive, construction, and appliance markets. A large-scale modernization campaign was completed in 2011. During the campaign, major capital was invested in new state-of-the-art equipment and various operational improvements.
Dearborn's blast furnace, which was rebuilt in 2007, is among the most efficient and productive blast furnaces in the world for its size. The plant also began operating a new pickle line tandem cold mill and a new hot dip galvanizing line in 2011. Similar to AK Steel's existing carbon steel operations, the Dearborn plant produces hot and cold rolled sheet and hot dip galvanized products, as well as other flat-rolled steel products.
The plant employs approximately 1400 people and is capable of producing about 2.5 million tons of finished steel per year. Upon completion of the acquisition, AK Steel's annual shipments are expected to exceed 7.5 million tons. AK Steel said that it intends to utilize all of Dearborn's production units, and the company has no plans to cease operations at any of its current steelmaking or steel finishing facilities.
The Dearborn facility is strategically located in close proximity to many of AK Steel's customers, and the assets at the steel plant and the other acquired facilities complement AK Steel's existing carbon steel operations.
The acquisition also increases AK Steel's operational flexibility and enables significant cost-based synergies. "In addition to operational and productivity enhancements, the acquisition will create purchasing, transportation, and overhead cost savings," said Mr. Wainscott. "We expect the transaction to be immediately accretive to our earnings and create significant long-term value for AK Steel, our employees, customers and shareholders." The company anticipates annual cost-based synergies of approximately $50 million, with approximately $25 million realized in the first full year following the closing of the acquisition.
http://www.aksteel.com
AK Steel, West Chester, Ohio, has signed an agreement to acquire Severstal North America’s integrated steelmaking assets located in Dearborn, Mich., for $700 million in cash.
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Bosio commissions 72-foot pit furnaces for heat treatment of turbine rotors
July 16, 2014
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Aichelin Group, Austria, announces that member company Bosio, Slovenia, has commissioned a 72-foot pit furnace, a 72-foot split type furnace, and a PLC-controlled spray quenching unit of the same size for the heat treatment of turbine rotors with a length up to 52 feet and a rotor weight up to 175 tons. The furnaces are available with gas or electric heating for temperatures up to 2000°F. Different heating zones ensure a temperature uniformity of ± 9°F.
The PLC controlled spray quenching unit can adjust the quench speed by shutting on/off selected zones and switching between the quenching medias water, air, or air-water mixture. For better uniformity, the parts can be rotated during quenching. A wireless transmitter ensures real-time temperature measurement during the rotation.
For interested customers, Bosio can also provide a simulation of the cooling process for a specific application.
All plants built by the companies of the Aichelin Group ensure a very energy-efficient and environmentally friendly operation with consistently excellent product quality and reproducibility.
This furnace technology is now also available in the United States, and will be built by the U.S.-based Aichelin Heat Treatment Systems Inc., Plymouth, Mich.
www.aichelinusa.com
Aichelin Group, Plymouth, Mich., announces that member company Bosio, Slovenia, has commissioned a 72-foot pit furnace, a 72-foot split type furnace, and a PLC controlled spray quenching unit of the same size for the heat treatment of turbine rotors with a length up to 52 feet and a rotor weight up to 175 tons.
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Stratasys acquires Solid Concepts for its 3D printing of medical and aerospace parts
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Stratasys, Minneapolis, announces the acquisitions of Solid Concepts and Harvest Technologies, which will be combined with RedEye, its existing digital manufacturing service business, to establish one additive manufacturing services business unit. Stratasys acquired Solid Concepts because of its deep knowledge of manufacturing and vertical focus, such as medical and aerospace. Stratasys expects to complete its acquisition of Harvest Technologies by the end of July.
David Reis, chief executive officer of Stratasys, stated, "We look forward to enhancing our customer offering with the completion of this transaction. With Solid Concepts' deep knowledge of manufacturing and vertical focus, such as medical and aerospace, Stratasys will be even better positioned to meet our customers' evolving additive manufacturing requirements. We are delighted to welcome the talented employees of Solid Concepts to the Stratasys family and look forward to completing the acquisition of Harvest in order to form a leading strategic platform to better meet customers' needs."
Stratasys expects to update its financial guidance to reflect both the Solid Concepts and Harvest transactions in conjunction with its second quarter 2014 financial results.
www.stratasys.com
Stratasys, Minneapolis, announces the acquisitions of Solid Concepts and Harvest Technologies, which will be combined with RedEye, its existing digital manufacturing service business, to establish one additive manufacturing services business unit.
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Continental launches first automotive aluminum turbocharger housing
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Continental Corp., Auburn Hills, Mich., announces that its powertrain developers have launched series production of the first car turbocharger with an aluminum turbine housing. Integration of the unit in the three-cylinder gasoline engine for the MINI Hatch has already begun. The double-walled aluminum housing surrounds the hottest area with a cooling water jacket. The coolant flowing through this jacket ensures that the external housing surface does not get hotter than 248°F, and that the internal temperature does not exceed 662°F.
"Aluminum in a turbocharger designed for cars is a real milestone," said Wolfgang Breuer, Head of the Engine Systems Business Unit of the Powertrain Division. "With this lightweight material, we are saving nearly 30% of weight compared to a conventional turbocharger while simultaneously reducing costs and achieving system benefits."
Continental's innovative turbocharger with aluminum turbine housing is making its debut in a demanding downsized application: a turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 1.5 liters of cubic capacity and 100 kW of power.
"It's not just the aluminum that makes the turbocharger special; it was also developed from being a typical add-on component to an integral part of the engine," said Udo Schwerdel, Head of the Turbocharger Product Line, Engine Systems, Powertrain Division.
"The double-walled aluminum housing surrounds the hottest area with a cooling water jacket," said Schwerdel. The coolant flowing through this jacket ensures that the external housing surface does not get hotter than 248°F and that the internal temperature does not exceed 662°F. At the same time, the dynamic response of the electric actuator at the wastegate ensures that the catalytic converter heats up quickly.
www.continental-corporation.com
Continental Corp., Auburn Hills, Mich., announces that its powertrain developers have launched series production of the first car turbocharger with an aluminum turbine housing.
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