ASM International elects new president, vice president, treasurer, and trustees
October 15, 2015 Source: ASM International
ASM International, Materials Park, Ohio, elected Jon D. Tirpak, PE, FASM, as ASM’s 2015-2016 Board of Trustees President.
Continue readingVideo: Unmanned aircraft flight test center
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Established in 2007, the New Mexico State University Physical Science Laboratory's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Test Center is the first of its kind. In the last eight years, NMSU's UAS FTC has become the most accomplished and most experienced Federal Aviation Administration-approved UAS test facility in the country.
NMSU's UAS FTC provides direct access to more than 15,000 m2 of airspace, and was the first civil UAS test facility that provided direct, available access to restricted airspace—a must for testing developmental aircraft or multi-aircraft scenarios. Henry Cathey, interim deputy director of NMSU's Physical Science Laboratory, was honored at NMSU's Scholarly Excellence Rally Friday, Oct. 9.
"The Flight Test Center in Las Cruces has been operating for a number of years, and it's not only a unique resource for the state of New Mexico, but it is a unique resource for the entire country," Cathey says. "It's state-of-the-art, cutting-edge, and it's very exciting that New Mexico is leading the way in this area."
In May 2015, the FAA announced that the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE) would operate a new National Center of Excellence for UAS. NMSU is a core member-university on a team, which is comprised of 15 universities and six affiliates.
As a core university of ASSURE, NMSU is helping lead the partnership of academic and industry members that will begin a new era of commercial unmanned aircraft research, development and integration into the nation's airspace. Dallas Brooks, NMSU UAS research and development strategic manager, is the principle investigator on the ASSURE project and co-chairs the Federal UAS Science and Research Panel, which oversees and coordinates UAS research conducted by the FAA, NASA, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security.
The center of excellence will supply research to the FAA and UAS industry to increase the potential uses of unmanned systems with minimal changes to the current system regulating manned aircraft. The center of excellence research areas include detect and avoid technology; low-altitude operations safety; control and communications; spectrum management; human factors; compatibility with air traffic control operations; and training and certification of UAS pilots and other crewmembers.
"We are supporting and trying to make the skies safer for using things like UAS or unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace," Cathey says. "We have been tasked to look at detect and avoid technology on how we can integrate things from small UAS up to things with a 15- to 20-foot wingspan into national airspace safely.
"The detect and avoid research area focuses on issues related to the detection of potential threats to remain well clear and avoid collisions. It explores sensors, the data produced from sensors, the management and use of that data, and the operational outcome that is considered safe and acceptable," he said.
In this research area, NMSU is evaluating the requirements for an airborne or ground-based Detect and Avoid system compatible with small UAS (55 pounds and less) operating in limited portions of the National Air Space to comply with the regulations and not increase the risk to other aircraft or people on the ground, beyond what is currently in effect. Additionally, NMSU is accessing the requirements for software along with what are the most feasible airborne or ground-based sensors.
ASSURE will form teams between its member universities, government agencies and industry partners to address both government and commercial UAS challenges. "Each of those universities has specific skills and abilities, and the idea is to marry all of the technical expertise to provide real research answers for flight safety in the National Air Space," Cathey said.
Established in 2007, the New Mexico State University Physical Science Laboratory’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Test Center is the first of its kind.
Continue readingThe lightest metal ever (with video)
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The Boeing Co., Seattle, released a video showcasing the lightest metal structure ever, called Microlattice—"the world's lightest material."
Sophia Yang, a research scientist at HRL Laboratories, Malibu, Calif., who worked with Boeing on the creation of the material, says the metal is 99.99% air. She compares the material to bone, which has a rigid outside and mostly hollow inside, creating an open-cellular structure, which means it's remarkably strong and light. The structure is composed of a network of super thin, hollow struts. The struts are around 100 μm in diameter and have walls just 100 nm thick. It's this design that makes Microlattice 10 times lighter than Styrofoam. However, despite it being extremely light, it is also tremendously strong.
Yang also highlights the material's ability to absorb high levels of impact. Using the "egg challenge" as an example, she says: "You need to drop an egg from 25 stories and protect that egg ... What we can do is design the microlattice to absorb the force that the egg feels. So instead of having an egg that's wrapped in three feet of bubble wrap, now you have a much smaller package that your egg can sit in."
The material has been made primarily for use in in aerospace engineering. Engineers intend to use the microlattice for plane interiors in places such as side panels, overhead cabins, or walkway areas. This would dramatically reduce the weight of the aircraft, making it more fuel-efficient and cheaper to run.
Microlattice was first announced in 2011 when a nickel-phosphorous alloy prototype was developed in collaboration between University of California, Caltech, and HRL Laboratories—the Boeing-owned lab that built the first laser in 1960. As the video explains, this development has many possibilities, ranging from use in aerospace, high-performance vehicles, as well as shock absorption and vibration insulation.
The Boeing Co., Seattle, released a video showcasing the lightest metal structure ever, called Microlattice—”the world’s lightest material.”
Continue readingAir Products to highlight latest gas technologies at Heat Treat 2015
October 14, 2015 Source:
Air Products, Lehigh Valley, Pa., will highlight the company's latest gas technologies for the metals processing industry at the Heat Treat 2015 Conference and Exhibition in Detroit, October 20-22. The company will also share its latest developments in furnace atmospheres — including plasma-activated case hardening of steels at atmospheric-pressure.
Zbigniew Zurecki, FASM and senior research associate at Air Products, will share new developments in atmosphere treatments as part of the "New Directions and Opportunities in Heat Treating" panel session on Wednesday morning, October 21. In addition, Air Products' Dr. Liang He, principal application engineer, will present the results of original research titled "Optimization of Protective Atmospheres for Annealing and Hardening Operations in Continuous Furnaces" during the Atmosphere Technology Session on Wednesday afternoon.
Metals processors are invited to stop by Air Products booth 508 to speak with a knowledgeable representative about their particular heat treating challenges. With over 50 years of heat treating experience, Air Products' applications engineers can work with customers to learn their specific annealing, brazing, hardening, or sintering process and make recommendations to help improve their overall operation.
Air Products' industrial gases are available in a variety of supply modes to match each customer's requirements efficiently and cost-effectively. The company also offers gas handling equipment and technology, as well as process audits and troubleshooting, to help metals processors optimize gas use, lower operating costs, maximize uptime, increase throughput, and improve product quality.
Air Products, Lehigh Valley, Pa., will highlight the company’s latest gas technologies for the metals processing industry at the Heat Treat 2015 Conference and Exhibition in Detroit, October 20-22.
Continue readingLockheed Martin awards Alcoa titanium supply contract for Joint Strike Fighter
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Alcoa, Pittsburgh, announces that Lockheed Martin has awarded it a contract to supply titanium plate and billet for the F-35 Lightning II aircraft program, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter. Under the contract, Alcoa becomes the titanium supplier for airframe structures for all three variants of the F-35 over nine years, from 2016 to 2024. At current projected build rates, the contract has an estimated value of approximately $1.1 billion.
"Through our expansion in titanium, Alcoa is sharpening its leadership edge on state-of-the-art aircraft, including the most advanced fighter jet in the world—the F-35," said Alcoa Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Klaus Kleinfeld. "We are expanding Alcoa's range of multi-material offerings for this program while helping Lockheed Martin meet aggressive weight, range, and fuel efficiency targets."
The titanium will be used to manufacture airframe structures for all three F-35 JSF variants: The F-35A Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) aircraft, the F-35B Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft, and the F-35C Carrier Variant (CV). Under a different existing contract, Alcoa will use the metal to forge all of the largest titanium bulkheads—the "backbone" of the aircraft structure—for the CTOL variant at its Cleveland, Ohio operations. Approximately 75 percent of all F-35s produced are CTOLs.
"This contract with Alcoa is a key element in securing our supply chain with a strong U.S. partner for a critical, strategic raw material," said Dan Pleshko, vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics' Enterprise Supply Chain Management.
The F-35 Lightning II is an advanced fighter aircraft combining stealth, speed and agility, designed for many kinds of missions. Lockheed Martin's full-rate production goal is 13 aircraft a month by the mid-2020s, up from an average of three aircraft delivered per month in 2014.
Alcoa has been growing its multi-material aerospace business to capture growth in the global aerospace market in support of its broader transformation. Alcoa recently acquired global titanium leader RTI International Metals, aerospace components manufacturer Tital, and global jet engine parts leader Firth Rixson.
Alcoa, Pittsburgh, announces that Lockheed Martin has awarded it a contract to supply titanium plate and billet for the F-35 Lightning II aircraft program, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter.
Continue readingIpsen introduces Quick Ship program for heat treating furnace parts
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Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, Ill., introduces the Quick Ship program, which provides one-day shipment of high-demand heat treating furnace replacement parts such as gas nozzles, power feedthrough assemblies, pumps, and much more. "Our ultimate goal, and reason that we created the Quick Ship program, is to provide customers with the tools and support needed to minimize downtime and keep their furnaces operating at peak performance," says Aaron Bolhous, Aftermarket Parts Manager at Ipsen USA.
With rapid turnaround times and on-time deliveries, the Quick Ship program provides access to specific parts during standard business hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST. Customers can call 1-844-Go-Ipsen to receive immediate support. Customers are guaranteed same-business-day shipment for Quick Ship parts orders placed by 10 a.m. EST.
Find the full list of Quick Ship parts and learn more about Ipsen's 360° support for furnaces at www.IpsenUSA.com/Parts
Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, Ill., introduces the Quick Ship program, which provides one-day shipment of high-demand replacement heat treating furnace parts such as gas nozzles, power feedthrough assemblies, pumps, and much more.
Continue readingExpanite opens a new heat treatment center in Ohio
October 13, 2015 Source:
Expanite, Denmark, announces that it has established a subsidiary in the United States known as Expanite Inc., and has opened a new heat treatment center in Twinsburg, Ohio, for surface hardening of stainless steel. According to the company, the Expanite process makes it possible to increase the material's surface hardness tenfold, while at the same time maintaining and even increasing corrosion properties.
Expanite can now offer its North American customers the same superior gaseous surface hardening treatment options as in Europe. Customers can choose to have their material processed in its facilities in Ohio on a day-to-day basis, or opt for a fully automatic solution installed directly in their production line.
The Expanite treatment is said to remove the oxide film, which allows controlled incorporation of carbon and nitrogen atoms into the underlying metal. The hardened layer is characterized by an interstitial hardened zone known as expanded austenite, expanded martensite, or simply Expanite. Unlike other technologies, this method not only coats the surface, but also enables carbon and nitrogen to go into and beneath the surface to create a hardness profile with an optimal concentration of carbon and nitrogen. This is said to significantly improve resistance to corrosion, galling, fatigue, and wear.
Expanite also welcomes its new North American Sales Manager, Dr. Christian Dalton, who has a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
Expanite, Denmark, announces that it has established a subsidiary in the United States known as Expanite Inc., and has opened a new heat treatment center in Twinsburg, Ohio, for surface hardening of stainless steel.
Continue readingOne Minute Mentor: Steps for Hardening of Tools as a Function of Time, Temperature, and Phase Transformation
October 9, 2015 Source:
Steps for Hardening of Tools as a Function of Time, Temperature, and Phase Transformation
After hot forming, tool steel usually is submitted to heat treatment processes that may be split into two major steps. The first step (shown last week) is done to produce a low-hardness condition. The second step involves this homogeneous microstructure being converted to a higher-hardness condition, usually by martensite formation during the hardening and tempering heat treatments.
In a graphical form, the graph shows the typical processing and heat treatment sequences for hardening of tool steels, as a function of time, temperature, and phase transformation.
The graph shows plots of temperature versus time showing sequence of operations required to produce tool steels. Hardening heat treatment. L, liquid; A, austenite; C, cementite; F, ferrite; Ms, temperature at which martensite starts to form on cooling; RT, room temperature.
Volume 4D, Heat Treating of Irons and Steels -> Heat Treating of Carbon and Low-Alloy Steels -> Introduction to Heat Treating of Tool Steels -> Heat Treatment Applied to Tool Steels
After hot forming, tool steel usually is submitted to heat treatment processes that may be split into two major steps.
Continue readingLIFT co-locates at Detroit headquarters
October 8, 2015 Source:
Lawrence E. Brown, executive director of LIFT—Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow, welcomed the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) as the two organizations confirmed that IACMI will open a scale-up facility at LIFT's headquarters in Detroit.
The facility will support production-scale composite materials development focused on vehicle lightweighting in collaboration with automotive companies. IACMI and LIFT are both part of President Barack Obama's National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI) initiative.
The composites scale-up facility will be run by Michigan State University, which leads IACMI's vehicle technology area in Detroit. LIFT is located at a previously abandoned and distressed facility in Corktown, the oldest neighborhood in Detroit. The 100,000 ft2 facility has been extensively renovated by LIFT through collaborative efforts with Michigan Economic Development Corp., The New Economy Initiative, and Mayor Mike Duggan's office.
"Taking weight out of vehicles will require different approaches; we are focused on metals and IACMI is focused on composites," says Brown. "But we are both working toward the same goal with many of the same industry partners, so it only makes sense for us to be physically together. All of the national institutes are based on collaborations, and we expect this one to be particularly strong."
At a recent event in Detroit, Vice President Joe Biden echoed Brown's lightweighting charge, saying, "Lightweighting is critical to our future. We want to own the 21st century in innovation, and composites are a big part of that goal. That's why this administration is making a $40 million investment in the Composites Institute (IACMI) co-locating in a facility in Detroit."
Michigan has more than 300 industrial technical centers related to automotive technology and conducts more than 70% of U.S. automotive research and development. "IACMI's technology areas are strategically located in America's manufacturing heartland to serve industry needs," says Craig Blue, IACMI's CEO. "Co-locating with LIFT in the Motor City reinforces our commitment to collaboration through partnerships that enhance the entire automotive ecosystem."
Both IACMI and LIFT are identifying applications for lighter materials in next generation vehicles, IACMI via advanced composites and LIFT via lightweight metals. Locating in the same facility provides a unique opportunity for collaboration between NNMI institutes and the transportation industry, which have identified the need of lightweight materials to meet goals for fuel efficiency, safety, and performance.
Support of this co-location is evidenced by numerous federal, state, industry, and local commitments to the city of Detroit and this shared facility. Approximately $12 million in Federal funding will come to Detroit for cost-shared development projects; the state of Michigan has committed $15 million for equipment and staffing; industrial support is valued at $18 million; and the city of Detroit is supporting IACMI's efforts to establish the vehicle scale-up facility.
Several hundred new jobs in the industrial sector are expected as a result of the commercialization successes facilitated by this pilot-scale facility managed by IACMI.
Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) will open a scale-up facility at LIFT.
Continue readingBodycote expands capacity for treating specialty stainless steels in Ohio
October 6, 2015 Source:
Bodycote, England, announces that it has expanded capacity for specialty stainless steel processes (S3P) at its facility in London, Ohio, and is building a new S3P facility in North Carolina that is to open in 2016. These technologies are dedicated to improving resistance to surface wear such as cavitation erosion, abrasion, and especially galling in stainless steels, nickel-base alloys, and cobalt-chromium alloys, while maintaining corrosion resistance.
Many surface treatments, when applied to stainless steel, negatively affect the metal's inherent corrosion resistance. However, the S3P process imparts increased mechanical and wear properties without adversely affecting corrosion resistance.
Specialty stainless steel processes (S3P) featuring Kolsterising and Nivox technology, offer unique surface hardening solutions for austenitic stainless steel, nickel-base alloys, and cobalt-chromium alloys. Benefits include higher surface hardness to 900-1300 HV0.05, depending on base material and surface conditions. Treated alloys are highly resistant to surface wear environments such as sliding combined with abrasive wear and cavitation erosion. The paramagnetic properties of austenitic materials remain unchanged after treatment.
Bodycote's S3P process presents engineering benefits for industries such as medical/pharmaceutical, automotive, and chemical engineering
Bodycote, England, announces that it has expanded capacity for specialty stainless steel processes (S3P) at its facility in London, Ohio, and is building a new S3P facility in North Carolina that is to open in 2016.
Continue reading