Buehler’s new Wilson universal hardness testers can hold several indenters and objectives
February 20, 2019 Source: ASM International
Buehler, Lake Bluff, Ill., introduces the Wilson UH4000 series universal hardness testers, which are designed for high-volume production labs and the production floor.
Continue readingBuehler AutoMet grinder-polishers feature intuitive touch screen, z-axis material removal
February 19, 2019 Source:
Buehler, Lake Bluff, Ill., an ITW company, introduces the AutoMet family of semi-automatic grinder-polishers that feature a new intuitive touch screen interface that is simple to learn and quick to operate. The AutoMet 250, AutoMet 250 Pro, and the AutoMet 300 Pro grinder-polishers are ideal for material testing or for processing a high volume of samples. 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.
Buehler created the AutoMet Pro grinder polishers to expedite the sample preparation process and improve the quality of the samples, while saving time and money in the training of laboratory technicians. Customers have already noted the difference it makes in their daily production. It has eliminated constantly setting the machine and the possibility of human error. The AutoMet supports complex lab applications and is also ideal for high throughput labs especially in the automobile, aerospace, medical device, electronics, heat treating, metals, and other manufacturing industries.â€
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 such as an adjustable water spout, 360-degree bowl rinse, and bowl liners save time and effort during daily cleaning.
Reproducibility and 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, Lake Bluff, Ill., an ITW company, introduces the AutoMet family of semi-automatic grinder-polishers that feature a new intuitive touch screen interface that is simple to learn and quick to operate.
Continue readingHigh-temperature nickel superalloy to improve efficiency of coal-fired power plants
February 14, 2019 Source:
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory, in partnership with Energy Industries of Ohio Inc., is set to scale up the fabrication of components made from advanced nickel superalloys that will help bring advanced ultrasupercritical (AUSC) power plant technology to the level of readiness for commercial-scale demonstration.
Conventional coal-fired power plants, which generate steam to drive a power generation turbine, operate with efficiencies varying from 32 to 42 percent, depending upon the age and design of the plant. AUSC power plants can potentially operate at temperatures and pressures higher than current state-of the-art coal-fired power plants—about 25 percent more efficient than the average U.S. coal-fired power plant fleet, and 10 percent more efficient than state-of-the-art coal-fired power plants. AUSC power plants would require less coal per megawatt-hour, resulting in lower emissions and lower fuel costs per megawatt.
Successful widespread use of AUSC technology requires fabrication of advanced nickel superalloys into large plant components; development of installation and repair methods for the nickel superalloy components; and sufficient testing and metallurgical analysis to support the final design of a commercial-scale AUSC demonstration plant.
Since the early 2000s, NETL has been working with a partnership to conduct AUSC research. This partnership consists of the Energy Industries of Ohio, the Electric Power Research Institute, and industry partners known as the AUSC Consortium. Together, they have done research to the point that the fabrication of AUSC nickel components is ready to be built at full commercial scale—the last stage of research and development before a commercial-scale demonstration of AUSC power plant technology can be implemented.
Private-sector partners involved in the current phase of the AUSC project include Energy Industries of Ohio, Electric Power Research Institute, ALSTOM Power Division of General Electric, Riley Power, MetalTek, Special Metals, and AECOM
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), in partnership with Energy Industries of Ohio Inc., is set to scale up the fabrication of components made from advanced nickel superalloys that will help bring advanced ultrasupercritical (AUSC) power plant technology to the level of readiness for commercial-scale demonstration.
Continue readingU.S. Steel to restart pipe mill in Texas and EAF construction in Alabama
Source: ASM International
United States Steel Corp., Pittsburgh, announces plans to restart the No. 1 Electric-Weld Pipe Mill at Lone Star Tubular Operations in Lone Star, Texas, and also to restart construction on a technologically advanced electric arc furnace steelmaking facility at its Tubular Operations in Fairfield, Ala.
Continue readingXerox acquires Vader Systems for its liquid-metal additive manufacturing technology
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Xerox, Norwalk, Conn., announces that it has acquired metal additive manufacturing company Vader Systems, which will enable it to offer its customers access to low-cost metal additive manufacturing with a greater variety of metals.
“Manufacturing customers want to use 3D printing, but the current offerings only serve the prototyping market well, not broad manufacturing,†the company stated. “Xerox-developed, acquired and partnered printing, software and material technologies are expected to deliver the productivity, materials range and cost and design tools to enable part manufacturing.â€
Based in Buffalo, New York, Vader Systems is a developer of liquid metal additive manufacturing technology which primarily uses affordable metal wire feedstock. Its offerings include the Vader Polaris liquid metal AM system, the Magnet-o-Jet subsystem for hybrid manufacturing equipment integration, and the Ares microsphere production system for the production of spherical metal powders.
www.vadersystems.comXerox, Norwalk, Conn., announces that it has acquired metal additive manufacturing company Vader Systems, which will enable it to offer its customers access to low-cost metal additive manufacturing with a greater variety of metals.
Continue readingArconic to invest $100 million to expand aluminum hot-mill capability in Tennessee
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Arconic Inc., New York, announces an investment of approximately $100 million to expand its hot-mill capability and add downstream equipment capabilities to manufacture industrial and automotive aluminum products in its Tennessee Operations facility near Knoxville.
Customer commitments for the majority of the anticipated increase in capacity are already in place, and the remainder is expected to be filled by projected customer demand. The expansion, which is expected to create 70 new jobs, is already underway and is expected to be complete by the fourth quarter of 2020.
“This investment will add capacity to meet growing demand for industrial products and automotive aluminum sheet,†says Tim Myers, President of Arconic’s Global Rolled Products business. “With this expansion, we are further diversifying the portfolio of one of our largest North American facilities.â€
The industrial market consists of products made with common alloy aluminum sheet, which is used in applications for commercial transportation, appliances, machinery, and construction.
In the automotive market, aluminum is used in applications from bumper to bumper, and demand for automotive aluminum sheet in North America is expected to double in the next ten years, according to a report published in July 2017 by independent research firm Ducker Worldwide. Arconic’s expansion of the Tennessee facility’s capacity continues its growth strategy which originated with its $300 million expansion (completed in 2015) to capture growing demand for automotive aluminum sheet.
Arconic Inc., New York, announces an investment of approximately $100 million to expand its hot-mill capability and add downstream equipment capabilities to manufacture industrial and automotive aluminum products in its Tennessee Operations facility near Knoxville.
Continue readingIpsen International Holding announces leadership changes in global operations
February 6, 2019 Source:
Ipsen International Holding GmbH, Kleve, Germany, announces that effective February 1, Ipsen Group CEO Thorsten Krüger has moved to the Advisory Board of the company, and has handed over global operational responsibilities to Mr. Geoffrey Somary, who is now CEO of Ipsen Group worldwide.
The Advisory Board thanks Mr. Krüger for his contributions at Ipsen since 2013, and looks forward to his shift from operational responsibility to an advisory capacity, where he will support the further development of the company.
Mr. Somary has held several senior positions within Ipsen, always closely involved with customers and with team members of the company. He has demonstrated the ability to bring together employees of different cultures in a way that delivers the best possible solutions to Ipsen customers.
Ipsen Group Management will be complemented by Mr. Houman Khorram, who will continue to serve as Group CFO, a position he has held since 2013.
The Board is confident that this leadership team, together with Ipsen’s dedicated employees, will continue to advance its unique success story and further strengthen its position as global market leader.
Ipsen designs and manufactures industrial vacuum and atmosphere heat-treating systems, supervisory control systems and predictive maintenance platforms for a wide variety of industries, including Aerospace, Automotive, Commercial Heat Treating, Energy and Medical. With production locations in Europe, North America, and Asia, along with representation in 34 countries, Ipsen is committed to providing 360-degree support for customers worldwide.
Ipsen International Holding GmbH, Kleve, Germany, announces that effective February 1, Ipsen Group CEO Thorsten Krüger has moved to the Advisory Board of the company, and has handed over global operational responsibilities to Mr. Geoffrey Somary, who is now CEO of Ipsen Group worldwide.
Continue readingOne Minute Mentor: Normalizing Ductile Iron
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Normalizing (air cooling following austenitizing) can result in a considerable improvement in tensile strength and may be used in the production of ductile iron of ASTM grade 100-70-03, which is shown in the figure. The microstructure obtained by normalizing depends on the composition of the castings and the cooling rate. The graph shows hardness versus strength and ductilityof ductile iron.
The composition of the casting dictates its hardenability, that is, the relative position of the fields in the time-temperature CCT diagram. The cooling rate depends on the mass of the casting, but it also may be influenced by the temperature and movement of the surrounding air during cooling. Normalizing generally produces a homogeneous structure of fine pearlite, if the iron is not too high in silicon content and has at least a moderate manganese content (0.3 to 0.5% or higher).
https://dl.asminternational.org/books/book/52/chapter/639854/Heat-Treatment-of-Ductile-Iron
Normalizing (air cooling following austenitizing) can result in a considerable improvement in tensile strength and may be used in the production of ductile iron of ASTM grade 100-70-03, which is shown in the figure.
Continue readingCan-Eng Furnaces commissions continuous mesh belt heat treat system for auto fasteners
February 5, 2019 Source:
Can-Eng Furnaces International Ltd., Niagara Falls, Ontario, recently commissioned a state-of-the-art continuous mesh belt heat treat system for the production of high quality automotive fasteners in the Piedmont Region of Italy. This Italian project was one of four installation locations for a global producer of specialty automotive fasteners.
The company chose Can-Eng based on proven reliability, efficiency, and soft part-handling features that are hallmarks of its mesh belt furnace systems. The high-volume fastener system features energy-efficient combustion and waste heat recovery systems, atmosphere-controlled mesh belt hardening system, oil quench, post wash system, temper furnace, soluble oil system, bi-directional conveyor discharge, and its Level 2 SCADA system.
The PET system provides the user with access to vital Industry 4.0 features, such as product traceability, detailed process data for continuous process improvements, comprehensive equipment diagnostics, cost analysis, and inventory management. It also integrates Can-Eng’s energy reduction system, which significantly lowers energy requirements. The system was commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2018, and has met and exceeded the client’s performance expectations.
Can-Eng Furnaces International Ltd., Niagara Falls, Ontario, recently commissioned a state-of-the-art continuous mesh belt heat treat system for the production of high quality automotive fasteners in the Piedmont Region of Italy.
Continue readingSeco Warwick vacuum heat treating/brazing system includes high-pressure gas quench
Source: ASM International
Seco Warwick, Meadville, Pa., announces that is has provided a vacuum heat treatment and brazing system equipped with high-pressure gas quench to Grupo TTT for its facility in Bergara, Spain.
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