Castrip to build build steel plant for thin-strip casting process
April 30, 2014
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Castrip LLC, Charlotte, N.C., has signed a license agreement with one of North America's fastest growing steelmakers to build and operate a plant utilizing the Castrip thin-strip casting process. The new casting facility will have the capability to produce 500,000 tons of thin-gauge, high-strength sheet steel for local manufacturing and construction markets. Castrip has not revealed the name of the steelmaker or the location of the plant.
The independent EAF steelmaker will be the first licensee outside of Nucor to build a Castrip facility. Nucor owns and operates thin-strip casting facilities in Crawfordsville, Ind., and Blytheville, Ark.
"We are very pleased to add another partner to the Castrip family that is well suited technically and commercially to exploit this game changing technology," said Frank Fisher, President of Castrip LLC.
The process equipment and technical services for the new facility will be provided by a consortium comprised of Siemens Metals Technologies, IHI, and Castrip LLC. IHI and Siemens are licensed exclusively by Castrip LLC to provide core equipment for Castrip facilities. The consortium has developed an optimized supply model for world-wide distribution of all new Castrip plants.
The new twin-roll casting and rolling plant will produce UCS (Ultra-thin Cast Strip) coils up to 1680mm wide, with gauge ranging between 0.8mm – 1.8mm. Start-up of the new Castrip facility is expected in early 2016.
Castrip LLC is a joint venture of Nucor Corp., BlueScope Steel of Australia, and IHI Corp. of Japan. The partnership was formed to market and license the intellectual property developed jointly by its three owners, related to the twin-roll casting of carbon and stainless steels. Castrip LLC currently holds more than 1500 patents and patents pending related to strip casting.
http://www.castrip.com
Castrip LLC, Charlotte, N.C., has signed a license agreement with one of North America’s fastest growing steelmakers to build and operate a plant utilizing the Castrip thin-strip casting process.
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Zimmer to acquire Biomet in transaction valued at $13.35 billion
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Zimmer Holdings Inc. and Biomet Inc., both of Warsaw, Ind., have approved a definitive agreement under which Zimmer will acquire Biomet in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $13.35 billion, including the assumption of net debt. The merger will position the combined company as a leader in the $45 billion musculoskeletal industry and is aligned with Zimmer's strategic framework, which focuses on growth, operational excellence, and prudent capital allocation.
The combined company is expected to deliver attractive growth by offering a more comprehensive and scalable portfolio of solutions with enhanced cross-selling opportunities. In addition, the combined company is expected to advance innovation to benefit healthcare stakeholders, and stockholders are expected to benefit from a more diversified and predictable revenue mix consistent with the comprehensive portfolio.
Upon closing, the transaction is expected to be double-digit accretive to Zimmer's adjusted diluted earnings per share in the first year. Cash flows from operations are expected to increase by 1.5 times Zimmer's stand-alone estimates.
"This is a milestone combination that brings together two highly complementary organizations and is consistent with our mission to lead the industry in delivering value to healthcare providers, their patients and stockholders," said David Dvorak, Zimmer President and CEO. "The transaction positions the combined company as a leader in the musculoskeletal industry with a broad portfolio of products, technologies and services, enabling us to help shape how solutions are developed and delivered.
According to Jeffrey R. Binder, Biomet's President and Chief Executive Officer, "The combination with Zimmer will prepare us to compete as a stronger entity in the medical device industry of the future. Our combined scale will extend the reach and influence with which we pursue our common passion: delivering products and services that benefit our customers and the patients we ultimately serve."
www.zimmer.com
Zimmer Holdings Inc. and Biomet Inc., both of Warsaw, Ind., have approved a definitive agreement under which Zimmer will acquire Biomet in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $13.35 billion, including the assumption of net debt.
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Cartech’s precision machining bar provides high strength and corrosion resistance
April 24, 2014
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Carpenter Technology Corp., Wyomissing, Pa., has expanded its Project 70+ PDB portfolio of precision stainless steel machining bar designed for CNC Swiss-style screw machines by adding Project 70+ PDB Custom 630 (17Cr-4Ni) stainless. This is a martensitic, precipitation/age-hardening stainless steel offering high strength and hardness along with excellent corrosion resistance. The alloy can be age-hardened by a single-step, low-temperature treatment. Custom 630 stainless offers customers greatly improved machinability over standard 17Cr-4Ni stainless, boosting productivity of machine shop operations.
Carpenter launched the Project 70+ PDB stainless family of precision drawn machining bar in April 2013. The highly engineered bars are drawn to ASTM half standard (h9) tolerances and possess characteristics that can help fabricators and machine shops maximize their productivity. Project 70+ PDB stainless machining bar has performed well on CNC Swiss-style screw machines.
www.cartech.com
Carpenter Technology Corp., Wyomissing, Pa., has expanded its Project 70+ PDB stainless portfolio of precision machining bar designed for CNC Swiss-style screw machines by adding Project 70+ PDB Custom 630 (17Cr-4Ni) stainless steel.
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Ipsen vertical vacuum furnace heat treats flowformed aerospace products
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Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, Ill., reports that PMF Industries in Pennsylvania selected Ipsen to manufacture a vertical MetalMaster vacuum heat treatment system. PMF will use this furnace to manufacture stainless steel flowformed products for the aerospace industry. This particular MetalMaster vacuum furnace has a 48 x 84 in. all-graphite hot zone with a 6000-pound load capacity. It utilizes gas cooling to 2-bar absolute pressure and operates at temperatures of 1000 to 2400°F. The furnace also features a 35-in. Varian diffusion pump and Ipsen's CompuVac control system.
The need for a clean manufacturing environment and overall uniform cooling drove PMF to select Ipsen's MetalMaster, which delivers cleanliness and uniform cooling, while also providing a cost-effective, versatile, and adaptable vacuum furnace system. Ipsen equipment is also capable of meeting Nadcap and AMS 2750E applicable requirements.
MetalMaster heat treatment furnaces are available in a wide variety of sizes and configurations, including horizontal or vertical designs and all-metal or graphite insulated hot zone packages. This multi-purpose vacuum furnace series features a specially engineered heat exchanger and turbine blower designed to optimize gas flow for more efficient cooling and excellent temperature uniformity of ±10 °F (±5 °C) or better. In addition to Ipsen's CompuVac control system, MetalMaster offers other high-productivity options, including specialized instrumentation, increased pumping capability, and material handling systems.
www.ipsenusa.com www.pmfind.com
Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, Ill., reports that PMF Industries in Pennsylvania selected Ipsen to manufacture a vertical MetalMaster vacuum heat treatment system.
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Duplex stainless steel yacht is lighter than aluminum
April 22, 2014
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Sandvik Materials Technology, Sweden, has built a prototype stainless steel yacht manufactured entirely of Sandvik SAF 2507 duplex stainless steel. Construction is based on a thin hull with internal ship-length reinforcements. It is lighter than traditional aluminum boats, and consumes half as much fuel. SAF 2507 provides excellent corrosion properties and very high mechanical strength. It is particularly well-suited for service in aggressive environments such as warm chlorinated seawater and acidic, chloride-containing media.
Suitable for service in highly corrosive conditions and where high strength is required, the properties of Sandvik SAF 2507 are being widely used in offshore oil and gas exploration and production, and in heat exchangers in petrochemical and chemical processing. The grade is also a good choice for hydraulic and instrumentation applications in tropical marine environments.
The external surface is manufactured and delivered under license from Outokumpu, while Sandvik delivers the boat's details, such as strip steel for hull reinforcements, welding wire, tubes, and propeller-shaft rods.
www.smt.sandvik.com
Sandvik Materials Technology, Sweden, has built a prototype stainless steel yacht manufactured entirely of Sandvik SAF 2507 duplex stainless steel.
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Novelis launches aluminum beverage can with 90% recycled content
April 16, 2014
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Novelis, Atlanta, announces that Red Hare Brewing Company will launch the world's first commercial use of Evercan, the company's independently certified high-recycled-content aluminum sheet for beverage cans. Evercan aluminum sheet is made of a guaranteed minimum 90% recycled content. The company has announced capital investments of approximately $500 million over the last two years that will double its global recycling capacity to 2.1 million metric tons by 2015.
"Evercan is a perfect fit for Red Hare," noted Roger Davis, founder and CEO of Red Hare Brewing Company. "The independent certification of the closed-loop recycling process behind evercan strengthens our commitment to employing the best in sustainable business practices, making evercan a natural extension of the Red Hare brand."
Red Hare Brewing Company, one of the fastest-growing micro-breweries in the U.S., selected Evercan aluminum as part of its commitment aimed at reducing the company's environmental footprint, while preserving the freshness and enhancing the taste of its finely crafted beer. Red Hare was the first craft brewery in Georgia to package its products in aluminum cans, following a trend in the micro-brewery industry to move from bottles to cans as a way to expand distribution and appeal to on-the-go consumers.
www.novelis.com
Novelis, Atlanta, announces that Red Hare Brewing Company will launch the world’s first commercial use of Evercan, the company’s independently certified high-recycled-content aluminum sheet for beverage cans.
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Vac Aero commissions vacuum furnace for aerospace manufacturer
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Vac Aero, Burlington, Ontario, has commissioned a high-vacuum production-scale, 2-bar VAH3436 horizontal vacuum furnace with work zone dimensions of 24-in. wide x 24-in. high x 36-in. deep. It is designed to process aerospace parts under high vacuum and partial pressures with excellent process control, and is rated at a normal operating temperature of 2400°F (1316°C).
The hot zone is comprised of curved graphite elements and the heavy duty hearth is constructed with quickly removable rails of pure molybdenum designed to support a uniformly distributed load of 1000 lb at 2400°F. The vacuum chamber and door are constructed of carbon steel and feature a double-wall, water-cooled design. The furnace operating system is based on Vac Aero's versatile HC900 interactive hybrid control package with SCADA and complete network integration capabilities and remote monitoring and control. The furnace is expected to run at full capacity next month.
www.vacaero.com
Vac Aero, Burlington, Ontario, has commissioned a high-vacuum production-scale, 2-bar VAH3436 horizontal vacuum furnace with work zone dimensions of 24-in. wide x 24-in. high x 36-in. deep.
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Lucifer Furnaces supplies high temperature box furnace to battery maker
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Lucifer Furnaces, Warrington, Pa., recently shipped a high-temperature laboratory box furnace to a leading producer of products for the battery, ceramics, and glass industries around the globe. Model 3027-K12 heats to 2500°F with silicon carbide rod-type heating elements mounted above and below the hearth providing uniform heat in the work chamber.
The 12 x 12 x 12-in. chamber is lined with 7 in. of insulation consisting of 5 in. insulating brick and 2 in. mineral wool block. The double pivot horizontal swing door with insulating plug meets with the throat section at the front of the furnace chamber minimizing heat loss. Hammond Lead Products, Pottstown, Pa. , selected a Honeywell UDC 3500 temperature controller with enhanced set point programming, fast scanning and onboard diagnostics, as well as an Overtemperature Safety System for automatic furnace shutdown in the event of a high temperature excursion, an add-on recommended for unattended furnace operation.
Controls are mounted in the furnace base cabinet and include a voltage-regulating power transformer with selector switches. A type R platinum thermocouple mounted through the roof provides a fast, accurate response and excellent lifespan at elevated temperatures. Hammond will be using the furnace for the development of PZT powders. Jon Hegland of Hammond says they chose a Lucifer because it was "the right product at the right price, and everyone involved in the sale were friendly and helpful."
www.luciferfurnaces.com
Lucifer Furnaces, Warrington, Pa., recently shipped a high-temperature laboratory box furnace to a leading producer of products for the battery, ceramics, and glass industries around the globe.
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Ambrell induction heating system purchased for pipe bending process
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Ambrell, an Ameritherm Co., Scottsville, N.Y., has sold an Ekoheat 125 kW/10 kHz induction heating system to a manufacturer of pressure control products for the oil industry. The application involves heating a narrow band around a large steel pipe to 1000°C. Air and water quenches are typically used before and after heating to ensure bending only in the heated zone. Once the temperature is achieved, pressure can be applied by a bending arm to bend pipe into shape.
Ambrell has expertise with numerous tube and pipe applications. Curing tube and pipe coatings, pre- and post-weld heating, drill pipe heat treatment, and preheating drill bits for insert brazing are some of the popular induction applications. Induction is often favored because it provides rapid, controllable, non-contact, energy efficient heat.
Ambrell was founded nearly 30 years ago and has sold more than 10,000 systems into over 50 countries. All clients are offered free application testing to ensure their system achieves process objectives.
http://www.ambrell.com/
Ambrell, an Ameritherm Co., Scottsville, N.Y., has sold an Ekoheat 125 kW/10 kHz induction heating system to a manufacturer of pressure control products for the oil industry.
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New Auto Consortium targets material challenges
April 11, 2014
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At the SAE World Congress in Detroit, Granta Design, UK, announced the launch of the Automotive Material Intelligence Consortium (AutoMatIC). This collaboration will bring together OEMs and suppliers in the automotive and off-highway vehicle sectors to develop best practice for materials information and its use. It will help these members as they aim to increase engineering productivity, lower costs, improve product performance, lower risk associated with materials supply and regulations on restricted substances, and make the most of investments in simulation and PLM.
AutoMatIC is modeled on two projects that have pioneered the industrial application of materials information technology: the Material Data Management Consortium (MDMC) and the Environmental Materials Information Technology (EMIT) Consortium.
In a climate of aggressive deadlines, major redesigns, and reduced physical prototyping, the automotive industry is acknowledging the strategic importance of accurate, controlled materials information. This information is essential to initiatives involving Virtual Product Development, materials substitution, supply chain qualification, certification, and risk assessment.
Automotive organizations also need to keep up with a rapidly-evolving materials landscape, understanding and applying innovations in areas such as higher-strength steels and composite materials. Good materials data and effective materials decisions are essential in optimizing product designs for global manufacturing, lightweighting, and emissions reduction.
A strong base of technology already exists to manage materials information, deploy it for use, and turn it into material intelligence that can have business impact. AutoMatIC will further enhance this technology for automotive applications. Competitive advantage will accrue to member organizations, as they will be able to adopt and apply these tools with maximum speed and effect as well as benefiting from sharing experiences and networking with other members at regular Consortium meetings.
The Consortium will begin an initial three-year phase in June. Founding members will be announced before the first meeting later this year and are expected to include leading OEMs and suppliers from the US and Europe. The project is open to any organization in the relevant sectors interested in applying materials information technology.
The Consortium is expected to develop similarly to the MDMC and EMIT consortia. MDMC, founded in 2002, remains active with over twenty leading aerospace, defense, and energy member organizations (e.g., Boeing, NASA, GE, Rolls-Royce). It pioneered tools to meet the stringent materials data management requirements of companies in these sectors. EMIT, founded in 2008, has a dozen members (e.g., Airbus Helicopters, Emerson Electric, Honeywell) from varied manufacturing sectors. It is developing tools to assess environmental and restricted substance risk in organizations' materials portfolios and product designs.
In supporting the work of the Consortium, Granta will provide members with access to technology, data, and project work including: software to manage corporate materials data; innovative tools to integrate materials data into CAD, PLM, and simulation; leading reference data sources on automotive steels, lightweight alloys, polymers, and composites; and the outcomes of collaborations in areas such as data generation for steel and composite crash models, and restricted substance reporting.
"The AutoMatIC project will build on established technology for material intelligence in automotive organizations", says Dr Patrick Coulter, Chief Operating Officer at Granta Design. "It also applies the proven Consortium model, which has enabled close collaboration with industry to develop software and information resources that have a practical impact in materials engineering, simulation, product design, and development."
More information:
www.grantadesign.com/automatic
At the SAE World Congress in Detroit, Granta Design, UK, announced the launch of the Automotive Material Intelligence Consortium (AutoMatIC).
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