“The Heat Is On:” New social event at Heat Treat 2015
August 26, 2015
Source:
The ASM Heat Treating Society, Materials Park, Ohio, is pleased to announce that a new social event will be held at Heat Treat 2015 in Detroit.
This party overlooking the waterfront will feature dinner, an open bar, "hot" fire-related entertainment, and much more. It will take place on Wednesday, October 21st from 7-10 pm. Cost will be $60 per person, and tickets are available to purchase when you register.
Kelly Thomas, Senior Manager of Global Events at ASM International, is looking forward to a memorable evening. "Since the Heat Treating Society started in Detroit, it's only fitting that we present the first Heat Treat Conference networking event there."
To register for "The Heat Is On," simply add it to your conference registration.
Organized by ASM International, the biannual Heat Treat Conference is recognized by industry, academia, and government professionals as the premier heat treating gathering in North America. This year it is taking placing in Detroit, a city with deep roots in heat treating and the birthplace of the ASM Heat Treating Society.
To register for Heat Treat 2015 and "The Heat is On," visit asminternational.org/heattreat
About ASM International
As the world's largest association of materials-centric engineers and scientists, ASM International is dedicated to informing, educating, and connecting the materials community. A member and volunteer based organization, ASM serves as a central resource that gathers the latest applied information from the field and disseminates it back to industry, academia, and government through published content, classes, conferences, expositions, and local chapter engagement.
To learn more about ASM International, visit www.asminternational.org.
About The ASM Heat Treating Society
HTS, an Affiliate Society of ASM International formed in 1994, is the world's largest network of heat treaters. HTS members work to provide events and services to serve their worldwide membership of captive and commercial heat treaters, equipment manufacturers, researchers, governments and technicians. HTS members have their own unique leadership and agenda to serve the global heat treating community, and are dedicated to: Bringing heat treaters together to discuss heat treating challenges; providing the technical information, knowledge and education needed by all heat treaters; serving as a central clearinghouse for information of value to heat treaters; and interfacing with all organizations that serve heat treaters.
To learn more about HTS, visit www.asminternational.org/hts3-new
The ASM Heat Treating Society, Materials Park, Ohio, is pleased to announce that a new social event will be held at Heat Treat 2015 in Detroit.
Continue reading
Materion to provide AlBeCast components to Lockheed Martin for F-35 jet
Source:
Materion Beryllium & Composites, Elmore, Ohio, announces that it has delivered the first finished AlBeCast aluminum-beryllium investment cast components to Lockheed Martin for the F-35 Lightning II Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS). These alloys are 25% less dense than aluminum and have four times the specific stiffness of aluminum, titanium, steel, and magnesium. They have higher damping capacity than aluminum, and a coefficient of thermal expansion almost 50% lower.
Aluminum-beryllium materials and castings provide favorable cost/benefit advantages for technically demanding applications such as EOTS that require a combination of ultra-low density, high stiffness, mechanical stability, and thermal properties.
The proprietary AlBeCast technology extends Materion's aluminum-beryllium product offering beyond its powder metallurgy-derived AlBeMet materials by offering rapid prototyping and solidification modeling to provide investment cast parts with short lead times at competitive pricing.
EOTS is a high-performance, lightweight, multi-function system that provides precision air-to-air and air-to-surface targeting capability. As the first sensor to combine forward-looking infrared and infrared search and track functionality, EOTS enhances situational awareness and allows aircrews to identify areas of interest, perform reconnaissance, and precisely deliver laser- and GPS-guided weapons. Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 170 EOTS for the F-35 Lightning II.
www.materion.com
Materion Beryllium & Composites, Elmore, Ohio, announces that it has delivered the first finished AlBeCast aluminum-beryllium investment cast components to Lockheed Martin for the F-35 Lightning II Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS).
Continue reading
CoorsTek Medical to expand production of CeraSurf alumina matrix composites
Source:
CoorsTek Medical, Fort Worth, Texas, announces a five-year, multi-million dollar capital investment program to support the growing worldwide demand for its ceramic hip replacement components and turnkey hip arthroplasty solutions. The investment funds a twenty-fold production expansion of CeraSurf alumina matrix composites.
The CoorsTek Medical's CeraSurf alumina matrix composite is both CE-compliant and substantially equivalent to the latest generation material used in ceramic hip implants today. Since 2011, more than 7000 CeraSurf hip balls and acetabular liners have been sold for distribution across key global markets
As the largest manufacturer of engineered ceramics, CoorsTek produces critical-duty products and components for 10,000 customers from its portfolio of more than 300 advanced materials. CoorsTek Medical provides specialized OEM medical device solutions designed around durable, biocompatible ceramic technology - delivering more than 1,000,000 components annually to the world's leading medical device manufacturers.
"As we engage medical innovators and key opinion leaders globally, they are applying the unique, high performance benefits of our ceramic materials to improve the longevity and lifestyle for more patients each year," explains Jonathan Coors, CEO of CoorsTek Medical. "Our valued partners deserve a choice and will be successful with a trusted partner who embraces today's dynamic healthcare economy. This investment demonstrates the CoorsTek Medical commitment to being that partner of choice for implant-grade ceramic materials which make lives measurably better."
www.coorstekmedical.com
CoorsTek Medical, Fort Worth, Texas, announces a five-year, multi-million dollar capital investment program to support the growing worldwide demand for its ceramic hip replacement components and turnkey hip arthroplasty solutions.
Continue reading
Allcast to add 29,000 square feet of aluminum die-casting capability
Source:
Allcast LLC, Allenton, Wis., announces a $14 million, 29,000-square-foot addition to its current aluminum diecasting facility in the Town of Addison. Construction of the first phase, a 14,420-square-foot foundry expansion, is expected to be completed by October. The company provides a variety of precision aluminum tool and die services, including casting capabilities ranging from 400 to 1800 tons, CNC machining, drilling, tapping, grinding, turning, heat-treating, deburring, and finishing. It serves numerous blue-chip companies in the lighting, automotive and transportation, recreational vehicle, consumer goods and equipment, and industrial markets.
"We are very excited to be able to continue to grow and expand our operations here in Washington County," said Mark Magnarini, Allcast president and chief executive officer. "Wisconsin has always had a rich history in manufacturing, including tool and die and high-pressure die-casting, which has allowed Allcast to develop a very talented and dedicated team of people here. When we assessed our options for expansion in other geographic locations, it was the combination of our team of people and the tremendous support we received from the state, county, and local resources that provided us with a clear competitive advantage to expand here at home in Wisconsin."
www.allcastinc.com
Allcast LLC, Allenton, Wis., announces a $14 million, 29,000-square-foot addition to its current aluminum diecasting facility in the Town of Addison.
Continue reading
Lake City acquires new vacuum furnace from VFS
Source:
Lake City Heat Treating Corp., Warsaw, Ind., announces that it has acquired a new vacuum furnace, bringing the company's vacuum heat treating line to seven. The furnace features 6-bar capabilities, with a variable-speed 200 HP cooling blower. The VFS Model HIQ3836-6 furnace can achieve vacuums of 10−6 torr and process temperatures up to 2400°F with a work load size up to 24 x 24 x 36 in.
With this new furnace, LCHT now offers nitrogen as well as argon quench. These capabilities allow the company to process customer requirements to exact specifications. Lake City provides heat treating services for the aerospace, medical, and other quality-critical industries. It specializes in bright aging, hardening, annealing, and stress relieving of many different alloys, including nickel, cobalt, and titanium.
It provides aerospace heat treating, medical heat treating, and other state-of-the-art vacuum heat treating services for quality critical industries. Stainless steel tempering and other bright processing technologies are also available.
www.lakecityheattreating.com
Lake City Heat Treating Corp., Warsaw, Ind., announces that it has acquired a new vacuum furnace, bringing the company’s vacuum heat treating line to seven.
Continue reading
Vac Aero launches series of articles on vacuum pump technology
August 16, 2015
Source:
Vac Aero, Burlington, Ontario, announces that it will publish a new monthly column on vacuum pump technology in its "What's Hot" newsletter. It will be written by vacuum heat treating expert Dan Herring, The Heat Treat Doctor, in collaboration with Edwards Vacuum, and will offer helpful tips and techniques on vacuum pumping systems.
Titled "Practical Vacuum Pump Practice with Dan Herring," the purpose of this column is to inform, educate, and answer questions for anyone who owns and operates vacuum equipment or is thinking of doing so. Dan will draw upon his vast experience as well as work with leading Edwards' experts in the field of vacuum technology to provide examples of the concepts being discussed.
It will focus on commercial and captive heat treaters; engineers, metallurgists, maintenance personnel, supervisory staff, heat treat operators, quality control and quality assurance personnel, and anyone else who is interested in the subject of vacuum pumping and vacuum processing.
The first article will appear in the September 15th "What's Hot!" newsletter. This exclusive publication was launched back in September 2007. It contains hundreds of archived articles that can now be found in the "Resources" section of the Vac Aero website, where anyone can sign up for the monthly newsletter.
www.vacaero.com
Vac Aero, Burlington, Ontario, announces that it will publish a new monthly column on vacuum pump technology in its “What’s Hot” newsletter.
Continue reading
Companies to jointly develop carbon fiber for lighter cars
August 13, 2015
Source: ASM International
The Ford Motor Co. and DowAksa signed a joint development agreement to formally advance research on cost-effective, high-volume manufacturing of automotive-grade carbon fiber.
Continue reading
Berkshire Hathaway to acquire Precision Castparts in cash transaction
August 12, 2015
Source:
The boards of directors of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Omaha, Neb., and Precision Castparts Corp., Portland, Ore., have unanimously approved a definitive agreement for Berkshire Hathaway to acquire all outstanding PCC shares for $235 per share in cash. PCC will remain headquartered in Portland as a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, and will continue to do business around the world under the Precision Castparts name. The transaction is valued at approximately $37.2 billion, including outstanding PCC net debt.
"I've admired PCC's operation for a long time," says Warren E. Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway chairman and chief executive officer. "For good reasons, it is the supplier of choice for the world's aerospace industry, one of the largest sources of American exports. Berkshire's Board of Directors is proud that PCC will be joining Berkshire."
"We are very pleased to be joining forces with Berkshire Hathaway," says Mark Donegan, PCC's chairman and chief executive officer. "We see a unique alignment between Warren's management and investment philosophy and how we manage PCC for the long-term.
"We believe that as part of Berkshire Hathaway, PCC will be exceptionally well-positioned to support our customers into the future. This transaction offers compelling and immediate value for our shareholders, and allows PCC's employees to continue to operate in the same manner that has generated many years of exceptional service and performance."
The transaction requires approval by a majority of PCC's outstanding shares. Closing is expected during the first quarter of calendar 2016, subject to customary closing conditions, including clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and competition clearance in certain foreign jurisdictions.
Precision Castparts Corp. is a worldwide, diversified manufacturer of complex metal components and products. It serves the aerospace, power, and general industrial markets. PCC is a market leader in manufacturing complex structural investment castings and forged components for aerospace markets, machined airframe components, and highly engineered, critical fasteners for aerospace applications, and in manufacturing airfoil castings for the aerospace and industrial gas turbine markets. PCC also is a leading producer of titanium and nickel superalloy melted and mill products for the aerospace, chemical processing, oil and gas, and pollution control industries, and manufactures extruded seamless pipe, fittings, and forgings for power generation and oil and gas applications.
www.berkshirehathaway.com
http://www.precast.com/investors/press_release/?id=666
The boards of directors of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Omaha, Neb., and Precision Castparts Corp., Portland, Ore., have unanimously approved a definitive agreement for Berkshire Hathaway to acquire all outstanding PCC shares for $235 per share in cash.
Continue reading
Argonne receives patent for ultra-fast boriding process, Bodycote acquires license
Source:
Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Ill., announces that it has been granted a patent for its ultra-fast boriding process. In this technology, parts are dipped into a molten borax-based solution that converts a metallic surface into a hard, durable boride layer 100 micrometers thick in half an hour. Bodycote Thermal Processing, Dallas, Texas, has obtained an exclusive license for Argonne's development.
The patent covers the ultra-fast nature of the technology, the range of materials that can be treated, and several specific steps in the process. Developed by Distinguished Fellow Ali Erdemir and his team at Argonne, the process reportedly saves time, money, and energy. Because boron is supplied so quickly, the layers are more uniform and dense than those produced by conventional pack boriding, while using 80% to 90% less energy.
Not only is ultra-fast boriding faster, but also it reportedly creates tougher layers than any existing option for surface hardening, including the use of carbon or nitrogen in place of boron.
"The application conditions for all kinds of machinery are getting harsher," says Dr. Erdemir. "The conventional approach to surface hardening is just not enough to sustain these machines." This includes automobiles, with parts that bear the burden of heavy loads, erosion, and corrosion. In the aerospace industry, many components are made of titanium, which would be more resilient if treated with ultra-fast boriding.
The three-year project was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, Advanced Manufacturing Office.
www.anl.gov
Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Ill., announces that it has been granted a patent for its ultra-fast boriding process.
Continue reading
Bioabsorbable magnesium wire for orthopaedic implants
August 7, 2015
Source:
nanoMAG LLC, Livonia, Mich., developed a high strength bioabsorbable magnesium alloy, BioMg 250, whcih is now available in wire form for biomedical orthopaedic procedures. Building on the wire-making skills of Fort Wayne Metals, Ind., wire is available at 1.1 mm and 0.3 mm diameter. Yield strength varies between 300 and 370 MPa. The wire's ductility is demonstrated by the tight knot tied in the 0.3 mm wire (pictured). Potential applications in orthopaedics using wire include K wire, suture wire and cables, tension band wiring, mesh for stents, and fiber-mesh for reinforcing hydroxyapatite bone-filling cements.
nanoMAG often partners with biomedical implant makers to design and develop metallic implants to be bioabsorbable, according to Steve LeBeau, president. These implants are developed using proprietary alloys of magnesium and other compatible elements which provide the appropriate strength and bone support while healing occurs, after which the implant dissolves and is absorbed by the body. The alloy content of BioMg 250 is aluminum- and rare earth element-free. It is microalloyed with elements that are nutrients in the body and which foster new bone growth.
At the same time, these microalloying elements are balanced to provide high strength for bone fixing along with optimum bioabsorption rate to obviate any need for secondary removal operations. Suggested applications include screws, staples, tacks, wire, rods, plates, and 3D shapes for ligament fixations, craniofacial implants, and small bone implants. "These new magnesium parts could radically change how orthopaedic implants are made and used," said LeBeau.
nanoMAG is seeking potential partners interested in collaborating on new product development projects. The materials are being tested as part of an ongoing internal program to obtain FDA regulatory approval for the use of bioabsorbable magnesium alloy implants in orthopaedic applications.
This technology development was supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Contract No. 0847198 (Project Manager, Prakash Balan).
nanoMAG LLC, Livonia, Mich., developed a high strength bioabsorbable magnesium alloy, BioMg 250, whcih is now available in wire form for biomedical orthopaedic procedures.
Continue reading 