Seco Warwick 96-foot CAB line enables brazing a variety of parts and heat exchangers
September 4, 2019
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Seco Warwick, Meadville, Pa., announces that it has been selected to relocate a very large CAB line for a customer who purchased it with the intention of brazing its own heat exchangers. Built by Seco Warwick for another Houston OEM in 2005, the CAB line will be a first for Cold Shot Chillers, as they have not previously conducted furnace brazing in house.
The indexing CAB furnace has an overall load size of 48 inches by 100 inches. The entire line, which measures 96 feet, includes a wet spray fluxer with blow off, load table, dry off (dehydration) oven, entrance/purge chamber, convection furnace, atmosphere air cooling chamber, final air-blast cooling chamber, and final unloading table. In addition, there is a power panel, a control panel and an atmosphere scrubber.
The controlled atmosphere brazing (CAB) process heats a product to brazing temperatures while maintaining uniform temperatures within the product in an oxygen-free nitrogen atmosphere. The Seco Warwick design allows OEMs and aftermarket specialists the flexibility to produce a wide variety of sizes and types of heat exchangers on a daily basis. The Indexing solution allows a variety of parts to be brazed with no changes to the menus or furnace settings.
The Seco engineering team has the knowledge and experience to manage fleets of heat treating equipment in a planned and professional manner regardless of the equipment manufacturer. The solutions offered by the Group are universal because they are based on best practices.
www.secowarwick.com
Seco Warwick, Meadville, Pa., announces that it has been selected to relocate a very large CAB line for a customer who purchased it with the intention of brazing its own heat exchangers.
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Salt template made by 3D printing enables magnesium bioresorbable bone implants
August 27, 2019
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ETH Zurich researchers announce that they have succeeded in producing magnesium scaffolds with structured porosity that are suitable for bioresorbable bone implants, with the help of a 3D printed salt template.
For the treatment of complex bone fractures or even missing bone parts, surgeons typically deploy metal implants. In this context, an attractive alternative to the traditional materials such as bioinert titanium are biodegradable magnesium and its alloys. Implants made of this light metal are advantageous because they can biodegrade in the body, which can absorb magnesium as a mineral nutrient, rendering a second surgery forimplant removal unnecessary.
To promote rapid healing, the design of implants or their surfaces should be directed towards promotion of cellular adhesion or even in-growth. Materials researchers from the Laboratory of Metal Physics and Technology and the Complex Materials Group at ETH Zurich have therefore collaborated to develop a new procedure for the manufacture of magnesium implants that contain numerous structurally ordered pores, but still retain their mechanical stability. This development is the subject of a forthcoming article in Advanced Materials.
To create a porous structure, the researchers first printed a three-dimensional salt template. Because pure, standard table salt is not suitable for printing, they developed a gel-like salt paste for this purpose. The strut diameters and spacings of the salt template can be tailored by the printing process. To gain sufficient mechanical strength, the salt structure was subsequently sintered. During sintering, the fine-grained materials are heated significantly, while the temperature is chosen safely below the paste's melting point.
The next step was to infiltrate the pores with magnesium melt. "The infiltrates obtained in this way are mechanically very stable and can be easily polished, turned and shaped," says Jörg Löffler, Professor of Metal Physics and Technology in the Department of Materials. After mechanical shaping the researchers dissolved the salt, leaving a pure magnesium implant with numerous, regularly structured pores.
"The possibility to control the pore size, distribution and orientation in the material is decisive for clinical success, because bone cells like to grow into these pores," says Prof. Löffler. Growth into pores is in turn decisive for the rapid integration of the implant in bone.
https://ethz.ch/en.html
ETH Zurich researchers announce that they have succeeded in producing magnesium scaffolds with structured porosity that are suitable for bioresorbable bone implants, with the help of a 3D printed salt template
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Novelis and Georgia Institute of Technology establish aluminum innovation Hub
August 26, 2019
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Novelis Inc., Atlanta, announces a new collaboration with the Georgia Institute of Technology in which it will invest $2.5 million to establish a Novelis Innovation Hub to promote aluminum basic and translational research, innovative business models, and related educational endeavors. It will serve as a cross-functional hub connecting Novelis' technical and business innovators with Georgia Tech's students and faculty. The company has committed $2.5 million to initiate research, and for faculty, student, and educational program support.
With the Novelis funding, Georgia Tech intends to recruit a senior interdisciplinary faculty member to serve as the director of the Novelis Innovation Hub. The director is expected to be identified and in place by the 2020 academic year.
Under the terms of the agreement, Novelis will annually identify sponsored research and/or provide a list of innovation needs, for which Georgia Tech faculty will be invited to offer proposals. An advisory board comprised of representatives from Georgia Tech and Novelis will evaluate the proposals that utilize the Novelis funding and external funding opportunities, as well as foster future technology collaborations.
"Our combined efforts will advance our mission to lead the aluminum industry as the partner of choice for innovative solutions,†says Todd Summe, Novelis Chief Research and Development Officer. “At the same time, we are helping fill the industry's talent pipeline with outstanding innovators. We see this as just the next step in our partnership, which can serve as a model for transformative innovation across Novelis, the Aditya Birla Group, and our industry at large."
www.novelis.com
Novelis Inc., Atlanta, announces a new collaboration with the Georgia Institute of Technology in which it will invest $2.5 million to establish a Novelis Innovation Hub to promote aluminum basic and translational research, innovative business models, and related educational endeavors.
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Seco Vacuum to discuss triple chamber vacuum furnace systems at Heat Treat 19
August 22, 2019
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Seco Vacuum Technologies, Meadville, Pa., announces that its technical director will present a discussion of triple chamber vacuum furnace systems at the Heat Treat 2019 conference in Detroit in October. The presentation is titled “Triple Chamber Vacuum Furnace Systems – The Low Pressure Carburizing Workhorse.â€
Multi-chamber vacuum furnace systems have become the system of choice for high throughput, highly precise low pressure carburizing (LPC) applications over the past two decades. Compared to traditional gas carburizing in continuous or batch integral-quench atmosphere furnaces, an LPC run in modern vacuum furnaces reduces carburizing gas consumption while providing more consistent results when considering case depth, surface hardness, and core hardness.
Multi-chamber furnaces provide this level of precision, while also maintaining the high production level required in automotive or aerospace applications. To understand the potential benefits of these systems, two sample applications using a triple chamber semi-continuous vacuum carburizing system will be discussed. Both oil and gas quenching capabilities are considered.
Results show that the semi-continuous, triple chamber design is capable of similar, if not superior results, while providing increased productivity and uptime versus more traditional multi–furnace or continuous furnace systems.
Author: Don Marteeny, SVT Technical Director
30th Heat Treating Society Conference & Exposition
October 15-17, 2019
Detroit, Michigan
Thursday, October 17, 2019 at 10:20 am in Room 251C (COBO Center)
https://www.asminternational.org/web/heat-treat-2019
Seco Vacuum Technologies, Meadville, Pa., announces that its technical director will present a discussion of triple chamber vacuum furnace systems at the Heat Treat 2019 conference in Detroit in October.
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One Minute Mentor: High-Hardenability Steels in the 52100 Family
Source: ASM International
To overcome the limitations on product cross-sectional thickness and the risk of slack quenches, alloy modifications have been introduced over the years to the base 52100 chemical composition. The modifications constitute a group of high hardenability 52100 steels.
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ALD Vacuum’s velocity gauge enables gas flow measurement during quenching
August 21, 2019
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ALD Vacuum Technologies GmbH, a division of AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V., Germany, reports that its newly developed velocity gauge enables the gas flow in the batch chamber to be checked during gas quenching, helping to ensure the quality of gas-quenched components. It allows preventive testing of the quenching system, supports fault analysis in the event of quenching problems, and helps to ensure the quality of gas quenched components.
According to the company, an important process parameter in gas quenching is the flow velocity of the circulated quenching gas, as well as other parameters that determine the quenching intensity, such as quenching pressure, gas type, and temperature. These parameters can significantly influence component properties such as hardness, microstructure, and distortion. Therefore, it is important to ensure that these process parameters be measured and documented. Although gas temperature and gas pressure are typically recorded and documented by appropriate sensors, the gas velocity is generally not recorded.
Now gas velocity can be measured and recorded by a velocity gauge, which works according to the physical measuring principle of a Prandtl sensor. The company explains that this makes it possible to measure the distribution of the flow velocity over the base area of a quenching chamber without great effort.
Once the measurement has been recorded, a protocol with the current measurement data is generated, which can then be compared with the data at the time of delivery of the quenching system. In case of deviations, the analysis of the measured flow profile enables conclusions to be drawn about possible causes of faults in the system.
www.ald-vt.com
ALD Vacuum Technologies GmbH, a division of AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V., Germany, reports that its newly developed velocity gauge enables the gas flow in the batch chamber to be checked during gas quenching, helping to ensure the quality of gas-quenched components.
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Solar Atmospheres donates Mentor vacuum heat treating furnace to Lehigh University
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Solar Atmospheres, Souderton, Pa., in conjunction with the William and Myrtle Jones Foundation, has donated and installed a Mentor laboratory furnace for Lehigh University’s Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science.
The Mentor was designed and built by Solar Manufacturing, and features the SolarVac Polaris control system, a hot zone capable of holding up to 250 pounds, and a maximum temperature of 2800°F. It was installed by Solar in Lehigh University’s Whitaker Lab, along with the necessary Solar-built transformer and a water cooling system specifically designed for the installation.
“This is a very powerful, advanced piece of equipment that will allow us to conduct important experiments in our metallurgy teaching and research, especially around additive manufacturing,†explains Dr. Wojciech Misiolek, professor and chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University.
After a tour of Lehigh University in early 2019, Solar founder and CEO William R. Jones decided that donating this furnace would benefit Lehigh, its students, and Solar as well. “Bill was thoroughly impressed during his tour of the metallurgical labs,†says Tim Steber, Regional Sales Manager for Solar Atmospheres. “He saw an opportunity to advance Lehigh’s capabilities and launch them into another area.â€
“The need for a pre-production size vacuum furnace for heat treating of additive-manufactured, 3D-printed parts and other metallurgical heat treating operations became apparent for Lehigh University and its teaching and experimental research,†Mr. Jones states.
www.solaratm.com
Solar Atmospheres, Souderton, Pa., in conjunction with the William and Myrtle Jones Foundation, has donated and installed a Mentor laboratory furnace for Lehigh University’s Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science.
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Shimadzu Vickers micro-hardness testers feature high data reliability and expandability
August 19, 2019
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Shimadzu, Japan, has released the HMV-G30 / HMV-G31 series Vickers micro-hardness testers, which are equipped with new functions to improve data reliability, to accommodate ISO standards, and to provide high expandability.
In a Vickers micro-hardness tester, a quadrangular pyramidal diamond indenter applies a tiny force to a sample, and hardness is calculated by measuring the indentation formed on the surface. This type of tester is used in a wide range of industries for inspections of steel, other metals, and mechanical parts, as well as for evaluation of surface improvements such as platings and heat treatments. However, in recent years, there has been a need for stronger data management, improved operability, and enhanced functions that suit the application.
The Shimadzu HMV-G30 / HMV-G31 series is compliant with measurements at low test forces in accordance with ISO standards related to Vickers hardness tests. Protective functions to heighten data reliability, as well as report creation functions, are also included. Additionally, a motorized micrometer for adjusting the position of the stage can be added, and a model equipped with a five megapixel color camera, the best in the industry, has been added to the series.
The testers are compliant as standard with measurements at the low test force value of one gram, in accordance with ISO6507-1 and ISO6507-2, standards related to Vickers hardness tests. In addition to adding a model with a five megapixel color camera, the best in the industry, an optional micrometer for making motorized adjustments to the position of the stage can now be introduced. The system can be configured to suit the application and the user.
https://www.ssi.shimadzu.com/products
Shimadzu, Japan, has released the HMV-G30 / HMV-G31 series Vickers micro hardness testers, which are equipped with new functions to improve data reliability, to accommodate ISO standards, and to provide high expandability.
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Super Systems completes heat treating modernization of Milacron manufacturing facility
August 16, 2019
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SuperSystems Inc., Cincinnati, recently completed major upgrades to the heat treating assets at Milacron LLC in Mt. Orab, Ohio, installing the latest furnaces and equipment, state-of-the-art controls, and modern SCADA infrastructure.
Included in the scope of work were new control cabinets, atmosphere flow panels, SCADA software, and a new ammonia dissociator. Equipment addressed as part of the upgrade were two pit nitriders, two pit tempers, a pit carburizer, an integral quench furnace, a batch temper furnace, an oil quench system, and the new ammonia dissociator with controls.
All furnaces are capable of running recipes to automate processes, creating an easy to use interface for operators. The furnaces are centrally controlled and operated using the SuperDATA SCADA package, which provides proof of process and quick access to real-time and historical process and load data.
“We enabled gas flow control with our eFlo product line, recipe controls with our 9205 and 9215 products, and data acquisition with SuperDATA,†says “Bob Fincken, National Sales Manager with Super Systems. “All the installation and project management were carried out by our Field Engineering Team.â€
Super Systems Inc., based in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been developing and manufacturing products for the thermal processing industry since 1995. SSi’s products include probes, analyzers, flow meters, controllers, software solutions, and engineered systems. With over 100 years of combined experience, SSi continues to satisfy industry demands with innovative technology, enabling customers to be more efficient and to produce higher quality products.
Milacron is the only global company with a full-line product portfolio that includes hot runner systems, injection molding, mold components and extrusion equipment plus a wide market range of advanced fluid technologies.
www.supersystems.com
www.milacron.com
SuperSystems Inc., Cincinnati, recently completed major upgrades to the heat treating assets at Milacron LLC in Mt. Orab, Ohio, installing the latest furnaces and equipment, state-of-the-art controls, and modern SCADA infrastructure.
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ASM member George Durfee to receive the ITA 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award
August 12, 2019
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The International Titanium Association (ITA), Denver, Colo., announces that metallurgist George L. Durfee has been named the recipient of the ITA’s 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award. A member of ASM International, Mr. Durfee is a metallurgist who built his career around pioneering applied research projects for the titanium industry at forging company Wyman-Gordon Co. He will be honored at the ITA’s 35th annual Titanium USA conference and exhibition, which will be held Sept. 22–25 at the SMG Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Alabama.
In the nomination form, Max Schilenger, the president of Flight Rail Corp., Ukiah, Calif., praised Mr. Durfee for “pioneering Ti-6-Al-4V alpha-beta processing knowhow in forging and flow forming.†He pointed out that through Mr. Durfee’s insights and efforts, press and hammer optimal forging of titanium alloys—ceramic and nickel-plated—were critical in producing parts on the legendary Lockheed SR71 Blackbird, the high-speed, long-distance reconnaissance jet. The SR71 was an iconic aircraft that played a key role for the U.S. Air Force during the Cold War era of the 1960s.
Born in 1929 and growing up on a farm in Falls City, Nebraska, Dr. Durfee was fascinated by the welding and repair of metal farm equipment—what he referred to as “blacksmith work.†He received a scholarship to Michigan Tech (today known as Michigan Technical University in Houghton, Mich.) and graduated in 1951. As a student at Michigan Tech, his research on thermal analysis of metals and ceramic coatings used in forgings would prove to be essential as a foundation for his career in the titanium industry.
Hands-on, applied research became his calling when he joined Wyman-Gordon on Aug. 1, 1954. Initially, his assignments at Wyman-Gordon involved micro-polishing and heat treating to improve the in-service performance of high-temperature alloys and large aluminum forgings used in aerospace programs. In April 1955, he was assigned to a high-priority project: develop Ti-6Al-4V forgings and present a plan for the approval of Pratt & Whitney for the production of compressor disks, which would be used in the J57 engines to power the Boeing B52 long-distance bomber, another iconic military aircraft.
In order to reduce friction and minimize surface defects of the forged titanium compressor disks, he developed the use of ceramic coatings for the starting metal before the metal was heated for forging. The ceramic coatings significantly improved uniform part geometry. Pratt & Whitney, in November 1955, approved Ti-6Al-4V as the bill of material for jet engine compressor discs used on the J57 turbo-jet engines.
In another important project at Wyman-Gordon, Mr. Durfee created procedures for chemically applying a nickel coating on a proprietary titanium aerospace alloy used for forged aerospace parts. As a result, he received a patent for the electroless nickel plating of titanium. In a separate effort, he pioneered flow forming Ti-6Al-4V and, along with co-inventors, was granted a patent.
www.titanium.org
https://titanium.org/page/AchievementAward
The International Titanium Association (ITA), Denver, Colo., announces that metallurgist George L. Durfee has been named the recipient of the ITA’s 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award.
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