Solar Manufacturing designs vacuum furnace to process mu-metal shields
March 1, 2017
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Solar Manufacturing, Souderton, Pa., has completed a new Model HFL-5772-EQ vacuum furnace specially designed by Solar for processing mu-metal shields at Magnetic Shields Ltd. for electronic applications. Mu-metal is a nickel-iron soft magnetic alloy with very high permeability suitable for sensitive electronic equipment shielding. The new furnace, with hot-zone dimensions 36x36x72 inches, will operate in partial pressure hydrogen or high vacuum in the 10-5 Torr range.
The furnace has full CE rating to the strict European code. The furnace incorporates the new SolarVac 5000 electronic controls with touchscreen overview programming. SolarVac 5000 enables precise temperature control from ambient to 2400°F, then down through the critical order-disorder transformation range for mu-metals, and finally to the nitrogen fan blower quench, to ambient.
According to Magnetic Shields CEO Colin Woolger, "High vacuum performance is also provided for nickel brazing of complex mu-metal assemblies." Magnetic Shields is the largest supplier of this type of electrical shielding in Europe, as well as worldwide..
"The furnace design is based on Magnetic Shields' years of mu-metal heat treating experience," says William R. Jones, CEO of Solar Atmospheres. "It allows for minimum furnace power loss and minimum hydrogen consumption."
www.solarmfg.com
www.magneticshields.co.uk
Solar Manufacturing, Souderton, Pa., has completed a new Model HFL-5772-EQ vacuum furnace specially designed by Solar for processing mu-metal shields at Magnetic Shields Ltd. for electronic applications.
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SecoWarwick brazing system to produce aluminum heat exchangers for race cars
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SecoWarwick, Meadville, Pa., announces that a complete controlled atmosphere brazing (CAB) system will be installed in a C & R Racing (USA) facility for the production of high-performance aluminum heat exchangers.
"The addition of this equipment is an important step in PWR Performance Products' global strategy to expand our reach into the North American market with the new C & R Racing technology," says Kees Weel, CEO and Managing Director, PWR Performance Products. "We purchased our first SecoWarwick brazing line 15 years ago for our facility in Australia as part of our overall manufacturing strategy to keep all operations in house for optimum quality control over all of our products. The Seco Warwick brazing technology has operated with the reliable performance that we demand to produce high quality product."
SecoWarwick will provide a complete CAB manufacturing cell that will include an inline dry-off oven and a radiation braze CAB furnace system equipped with patented Accubraze process control technology. Installation is scheduled for the third quarter of 2017.
A SecoWarwick Radiation CAB System is an ideal method for brazing similar size products in a continuous flow environment. The furnace is designed to use a stainless steel muffle to contain the nitrogen atmosphere and provide uniform heating of the products. The heat input into the furnace chamber is proportionally controlled to heat the muffle, which in turn heats the products. Product results are consistently high, and fully automated material handling provides maximum efficiency with minimal operator intervention.
www.secowarwick.com
SecoWarwick, Meadville, Pa., announces that a complete controlled atmosphere brazing (CAB) system will be installed in a C & R Racing (USA) facility for the production of high-performance aluminum heat exchangers.
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SSI vacuum controller enables complete process traceability for Spectrum furnace
February 28, 2017
Source: ASM International
Spectrum Thermal Processing, Cranston, R.I., recently retrofitted a Super Systems (SSI) Series 9220 Vacuum Controller onto a CI Hayes vacuum oil quench furnace.
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NASA selects two proposals for Space Technology Research Institutes
February 23, 2017
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NASA, Washington, has selected proposals for the creation of two multi-disciplinary, university-led research institutes: the Institute for Ultra-Strong Composites by Computational Design (US-COMP); and the Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES). Each STRI will receive up to $15 million over the five-year period of performance.
"NASA is establishing STRIs to research and exploit cutting-edge advances in technology with the potential for revolutionary impact on future aerospace capabilities," says Steve Jurczyk, associate administrator for NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate in Washington. "These university-led, multi-disciplinary research programs promote the synthesis of science, engineering, and other disciplines to achieve specific research objectives with credible expected outcomes within five years. At the same time, these institutes will expand the U.S. talent base in areas of research and development with broader applications beyond aerospace."
US-COMP aims to develop and deploy a carbon nanotube-based, ultra-high strength, lightweight aerospace structural material within five years. Success will mean a critical change to the design paradigm for space structures. Through collaboration with industry partners, it is anticipated that advances in laboratories could quickly translate to advances in manufacturing facilities that will yield sufficient amounts of advanced materials for use in NASA missions.
US-COMP is a multidisciplinary team of 22 faculty members led by Gregory Odegard, principal investigator at the Michigan Technological University, in partnership with Florida State University, University of Utah, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Florida A&M University, Johns Hopkins University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Minnesota, Pennsylvania State University, University of Colorado and Virginia Commonwealth University. Industrial partners include Nanocomp Technologies and Solvay, with the U.S. Air Force Research Lab as a collaborator.
The CUBES institute will advance research into an integrated, multi-function, multi-organism bio-manufacturing system to produce fuel, materials, pharmaceuticals and food. While the research goals of the CUBES institute are to benefit deep-space planetary exploration, these goals also lend themselves to practical Earth-based applications. For example, the emphasis on using carbon dioxide as the base component for materials manufacturing has relevance to carbon dioxide management on Earth.
http://www.nasa.gov/spacetech
NASA, Washington, has selected proposals for the creation of two multi-disciplinary, university-led research institutes: the Institute for Ultra-Strong Composites by Computational Design (US-COMP); and the Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES).
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Team Penske and Stratasys partner for 3D printing of tooling and parts
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Stratasys, Minneapolis, announces that it will partner with Team Penske to provide state-of-the-art 3D printing solutions to create manufacturing tooling and car parts as well as to rapidly generate engineering prototypes. Under the new technical alliance, Stratasys will also provide technical support to Team Penske for customized motorsports applications and materials engineering.
"Our strategic partnership with Stratasys should keep our manufacturing and engineering processes at the front of the pack," said Team Penske President Tim Cindric. "Stratasys is on the cutting edge of additive manufacturing technology for automotive applications. Utilizing their equipment and technical support will provide us with another means to put our ideas on the race track first."
Stratasys plans to highlight its new partnership with Team Penske by engaging with its customers through tours of the team's facility, technical talks and product demonstrations designed to showcase the company's unique solutions and offerings.
"We are proud to be a part of Team Penske and look forward to working with them over the coming years to drive their NASCAR and IndyCar teams to victory," said Rich Garrity, President Americas at Stratasys. "Stratasys additive manufacturing solutions are being increasingly adopted by the world's top motorsports teams and manufacturers. The engineering-grade quality, high throughput and wide choice of materials our 3D printing solutions provide are a perfect fit for the customized tools and innovative part designs our automotive customers demand."
www.stratasys.com
Stratasys, Minneapolis, announces that it will partner with Team Penske to provide state-of-the-art 3D printing solutions to create manufacturing tooling and car parts as well as to rapidly generate engineering prototypes.
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One Minute Mentor: Nitriding Potential
February 17, 2017
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The nitriding potential controls the amount of nitrogen in the metal. The graph shows the atomic concentration of nitrogen as a function of nitriding potential (Kn) and depth.
The nitriding potential controls the amount of nitrogen in the metal. The graph shows the atomic concentration of nitrogen as a function of nitriding potential (Kn) and depth.
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CompuCore expands controls retrofit options for vacuum heat treating systems
February 16, 2017
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Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., introduces CompuCore, a competitively priced option for controls retrofits available for installation on most brands of vacuum heat-treating systems. These newly enhanced controls reduce the potential for human error and maximize uptime, allowing users to achieve greater efficiencies.
The controls software package is a cost-effective option for those who want to automate their manual system with the latest technology. It helps users gain comprehensive control of all furnace functions, while also achieving repeatable throughput and results.
CompuCore features five main screens, which allow operators to monitor and control operations – including viewing and editing an entire recipe – while it monitors and controls vacuum levels and temperatures. Other key features:
Capability to meet applicable AMS 2750 requirements
Greater control over temperature uniformity with DigiTrim and DigiPID heat-zone control (five temperature ranges each)
Ability to easily create, edit, store, and execute process recipes be means of a menu-driven screen that shows the entire recipe
www.IpsenUSA.com/CompuCore
Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., introduces CompuCore, a competitively priced option for controls retrofits available for installation on most brands of vacuum heat-treating systems.
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Solar Atmospheres adds new furnace with 5×10-6 Torr vacuum and all-moly hot zone
February 15, 2017
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Solar Atmospheres of Western Pennsylvania, Hermitage, recently added a state-of-the-art vacuum furnace with an all-molybdenum hot zone having dimensions 24 x 24 x 36 inches. The all-stainless steel chamber rated at 2500°F is equipped with an oversized pumping system. Unlike other vacuum furnaces, this pumping system has a series of isolation valves that concentrate the critical vacuum levels within the location that matters most – the vacuum chamber.
This furnace was built exclusively for the critical materials often encountered in the aerospace, medical, and semiconductor arenas that are sensitive to vacuum levels and the potential contact of carbon particles. To enhance the unshielded processing of critical parts at vacuum levels lower than 5x10-6 Torr without any contamination, Solar Atmospheres will construct an environmentally controlled room surrounding this furnace. The room will feature tightly controlled temperature, humidity, and positive pressure, which will aid in eliminating water vapor, dust, and debris concerns. New and clean dedicated fixturing will be used exclusively for this furnace, never leaving the premises.
According to Bob Hill, President of Solar Atmospheres of Western Pennsylvania, "This brand new furnace and environs will enable us to guarantee bright clean work while eliminating the safety hazard of handling razor sharp stainless steel foils. Now that this furnace is fully operational, in 2017 we look forward to adding the MedAccred medical accreditation to our ever expanding list of approvals. I would like to thank our sister company Solar Manufacturing for designing and constructing this outstanding, pristine furnace that will enable us to produce parts that will significantly add even more value to our customer's operations."
www.solarwpa.com
Solar Atmospheres of Western Pennsylvania, Hermitage, recently added a state-of-the-art vacuum furnace with an all-molybdenum hot zone having dimensions 24 x 24 x 36 inches.
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Heavy Carbon president awarded patent for Endocarb carburizing system
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The Heavy Carbon C., Pittsford, Mich., announces that its president, George Barbour, has been awarded a patent for "A method of carburizing which allows a carburizing process in a furnace at high temperatures in a protective atmosphere." Called Endocarb, the primary function of this method is soot control, with an atmosphere flow providing constant low methane (CH4 ) to produce a strong reaction for a high quality atmosphere regardless of carbon-potential set point
This method is said to carburize at a carbon potential well into the soot range, while maintaining a controllable carbon potential with stable CH4. This stability maintains a constant reaction, cracking an air/gas mix in a self-heated retort to a temperature of 1825°F before entry into the furnace. The high carbon potential penetrates the steel surface at a rate up to 30% faster, saving time and money while producing higher quality parts. The system can be added to existing furnaces or built into a furnace at the time of manufacture.
In addition to the speed at a higher carbon potential at high temperatures, the atmosphere will also penetrate lower-grade steels at lower temperatures without using ammonia to raise the hardness (HRC). The air/gas mix is cracked in a retort outside the furnace to form the atmosphere, and is heated at the same high temperature of 1825°F before entry into the furnace. In this manner, the low furnace temperature does not hinder the reaction that must take place in the furnace.
Soot control takes place simultaneously while the carburizing cycle is in operation; therefore, no time is lost to clean soot from the furnace, instead of taking furnace time to remove soot and clean the furnace, loads can be run instead. Time is money and soot burnout takes time. Because less time is required per load, less gas and power is wasted, resulting in more cost savings.
www.heavycarbon.com
The Heavy Carbon Company, Pittsford, Mich., announces that its president, George Barbour, has been awarded a patent for “A method of carburizing which allows a carburizing process in a furnace at high temperatures in a protective atmosphere.”
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Air Products installs nitrogen supply system for Boeing composite-wing autoclave
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Air Products, Lehigh Valley, Pa., recently installed an advanced nitrogen supply system at Boeing's new 777X Composite Wing Center in Everett, Washington. The nitrogen will be supplied to the world's largest autoclave, where it will create the inert atmosphere and rapid pressure required to form and cure large carbon fiber composite wings for Boeing's new 777X commercial jetliners.
"Boeing is a leader in their industry, and we are excited to build on our existing relationship by playing a part in the fabrication of the world's largest carbon fiber composite wings for their newest commercial jetliner,"
"Air Products has extensive experience in supplying the aerospace industry, particularly with autoclaves, says Paul Householder, vice president‒Western Region Americas for Industrial Gases at Air Products. "We appreciate Boeing's confidence in our ability to provide them with a reliable supply of high-quality nitrogen for this very critical application."
The advanced nitrogen supply system includes three 15,000-gallon liquid tanks and a steam sparged water bath vaporization system. Boeing's assembled wings are placed into the autoclave, which is closed, sealed, and flooded with nitrogen at specific flow rates, pressures and temperatures to purge out oxygen and create the atmosphere required for the curing process. This project represents the third major autoclave project Air Products has completed with Boeing in the last three years.
www.airproducts.com/aerospace.
http://www.airproducts.com
Air Products, Lehigh Valley, Pa., recently installed an advanced nitrogen supply system at Boeing’s new 777X Composite Wing Center in Everett, Washington.
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