Heat Treat technical program announced
August 6, 2015
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The technical program of Heat Treat 2015 is now live. This year's show, presented by ASM International, Materials Park, Ohio, and the Heat Treating Society, features over 130 technical sessions on the latest research and developments in the field of heat treating on topics such as heat treating, advance processes, quenching and cooling, processes and applications, vacuum process, and technology, and much more.
Professor Richard Sisson, Chairperson of the Heat Treat 2015 Organizing Committee, focuses on the comprehensive technical programming offered during Heat Treat 2015. "The Organizing Committee has been hard at work putting together the programming for Heat Treat, and I think attendees will respond positively to the quality and variety of our technical sessions. In addition to topics such as advances in heat treating, quenching and cooling, applied energy, and processes and applications, we will offer a new applied technology track for operators and technicians. You also won't want to miss the return of the Master Series, which features three special lectures on Martens & Osmond: Hardenite Past & Future, Bainite and the Bainite Controversy, and Hollomon and Jaffe on Tempering. Industry leaders also present their view of the future direction of the industry during a special panel session, New Directions and Opportunities in Heat Treating. There are more opportunities to learn and exchange ideas than ever before, so I encourage heat treat professionals at any level to attend this show."
Special Highlights and New Tracks for 2015
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Inductoheat bar heating system features flexible modular design
August 5, 2015
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Inductoheat, Madison Heights, Mich., offers the InductoForge modular bar heating system for the forging industry. The flexible modular design allows the forge shop to assemble an induction system that exactly matches its application requirements. The InductoForge system offers flexibility and efficiency with its individually controlled (500 to 6000 Hz) power modules.
The InductoForge heating systems utilize proprietary iHaz temperature profile modeling software, giving the user the tools to generate an ideal system recipe and precisely heated billet.
The iHaz software package is a predictive numerical simulation technology that accurately forecasts the temperature throughout the cross section of the billet, from the surface to the core. The heating system's modular design makes it possible to employ a standby function that keeps the billet at temperature, ready to start forging immediately following minor line disruptions.
www.inductoheat.com
Inductoheat, Madison Heights, Mich., offers the InductoForge modular bar heating system for the forging industry.
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Case-hardening technology reduces distortion during heat treating
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Seco Warwick, Meadville, Pa., introduces the UniCase Master case-hardening technology, a single-piece-flow case hardening system for mass production. Case hardening is achieved by low-pressure carburizing and high-pressure gas quench. The goal is to address the major causes of deformation during heat treatment and create a method for controlling, correcting, and eliminating distortion.
The system adjusts to the size and shape of the particular gear in order to minimize distortion, and it ensures ideal repeatability of results. It is a compact system, designed for high-volume gear heat treating, ideal for lean manufacturing configurations. This system can easily be integrated into machining centers.
www.secowarwick.com
Seco Warwick, Meadville, Pa., introduces the UniCase Master case-hardening technology, a single-piece-flow case hardening system for mass production.
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Software in pendulum impact test systems enables hardware to analyze quality
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Tinius Olsen, Horsham, Pa., manufactures a several high-capacity pendulum impact testers. All testing hardware is fully complemented by Horizon software, which turns hardware into a sophisticated quality analysis system. Most testers can be easily changed from a Charpy configuration to an Izod configuration, or even to a tensile impact configuration.
Available in several capacities, they are designed primarily for determining the impact resistance of metals. They are built to fully comply with the specifications outlined in ASTM E23, BS EN ISO 148-3, BS EN ISO 148-2 and ISO 442.
These machines have a number of different features and accessories that ensure safe and reliable testing while maintaining accuracy and repeatability of results. These features include motorized return, electric brake, 'Low Blow' impact (where machine capacity is reduced by limiting the release height of the pendulum), safety shields, and a variety of result display options.
www.tiniusolsen.com
Tinius Olsen, Horsham, Pa., manufactures a several high-capacity pendulum impact testers.
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Buehler PlanarMet with stone grinder features high-torque motor
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Buehler, a division of ITW Inc., Lake Bluff, Ill., introduces the PlanarMet 300 benchtop planar grinding machine. It utilizes a fixed abrasive stone for rapid sample grinding, and accommodates specimen holders up to 7 in. diameter. Directly integrated with the EcoMet/AutoMet Grinder-Polisher, this stone grinder features a high-torque, continuous-duty, 5.7 Hp motor with auto wheel dressing, compact interlocking safety cover, and built-in cooling.
The 5.7 Hp motor allows aggressive material removal, and is up to four times faster than grinding with SiC paper: One grinding stone is equivalent to 1000 sheets of SiC paper. Aluminum or SiC grinding stones can be used for almost any material application. The auto dressing system ensures fresh, consistent, abrasive surfaces.
The PlanarMet's programmable grinding depth is accurate to 0.01 mm. It has two operational modes: timed cycle, and controlled material depth removal (Z-axis). High water flow and a unique manifold keep specimens cool, minimizing subsurface damage. No compressed air or water hook-up is needed.
The benchtop design saves space and allows for direct integration to grinder-polishers for polishing steps, yet is just as powerful as large floor models. The durable cast cover provides maximum user safety with magnetic interlock.
http://www.buehler.com/PlanarMet-300.php
Buehler, a division of ITW Inc., Lake Bluff, Ill., introduces the PlanarMet 300 benchtop planar grinding machine.
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Oerlikon Balzers and Metco service center to offer thermal spray and thin-film coatings
August 4, 2015
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Oerlikon, Switzerland, announces that its Surface Solutions Segment has opened its first joint technology service center in Canada. The center offers both thin-film and thermal spray deposition technologies and services to the automotive and aviation industries. The one-stop shop leverages the combined competencies of both Oerlikon Balzers and Oerlikon Metco, bringing the benefits of a full set of surface solutions.
With the opening of its new site in the rapidly growing industrial region of Guelph, near Toronto, the Surface Solutions Segment significantly strengthens its presence in the Canadian market, where some of its strategic global customers are located.
From the new and larger facility, the business is able to serve its customers with the full portfolio of its two brands: Oerlikon Balzers and Oerlikon Metco. The service center will provide thin-film coating (PVD) including nitriding and regrinding services – a complete solution for tool reconditioning. It will offer the complete portfolio of thermal spray services.
"Offering both thin-film and thermal spray coating technologies makes us a unique supplier in the surface solutions market," says Roland Herb, CEO of the Surface Solutions Segment. "Through this first joint center, we can provide Canadian customers with not only the benefits from both technologies, but also better services and interactions in close proximity,"
www.oerlikon.com
Oerlikon, Switzerland, announces that its Surface Solutions Segment has opened the first joint technology service center in Canada.
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Stratasys to provide up to 1000 3D printers to China
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Stratasys Ltd., Minneapolis, announces that Kangshuo Group Co. Ltd is opening the largest 3D printing service bureau network dedicated to serving China's domestic market with up to 1000 high precision 3D printers from the company's Solidscape subsidiary. The 80,000 ft2 multi-story facility in Guangdong Province represents the first phase of a multi-year agreement to build and equip four service bureaus.
This far-reaching agreement includes the creation of 100 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centers across China, each featuring Stratasys' Solidscape high precision 3D printers. Also included in the comprehensive agreement is a plan to supply China's 3D printing education initiative with many Solidscape 3D printers. Finally, the facility features a full 21,000 ft2 assembly factory where Kangshuo will assemble-to-order Solidscape 3D printers for sale in the domestic Chinese market.
This marks the most comprehensive 3D printing collaboration to date in China for Solidscape, and is aimed to help drive significant revenue growth.
Kangshuo exclusively chose Solidscape high precision 3D printers since these 3D printers produce the most accurate, detailed models with the industry's highest quality surface finish – all critical for the rigorous demands of custom manufacturing applications. The combination of a high precision 3D printer capable of a 6 micron resolution with wax materials enables custom manufacturers to design and 3D print models with complex, organic geometries that are 100% castable in any metal.
www.stratasys.com
Stratasys Ltd., Minneapolis, announces that Kangshuo Group Co. Ltd is opening the largest 3D printing service bureau network dedicated to serving China’s domestic market with up to 1000 high precision 3D printers from the company’s Solidscape subsidiary.
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Ethanol-based eGun system reduces HVOF cost and improves coating quality
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Flame Spray Technologies, Netherlands, introduces its ethanol-fuel-based eGun System with UHP/HVOF eGun liquid fuel torch. Compared with kerosene, ethanol is said to provide a larger operating window, allowing for the development of unique parameters, and has lower emissions. Ethanol allows the system to operate in a neutral, oxygen-rich, or fuel-rich combustion mode. In effect, the eGun enables better control over the balance between the kinetic and thermal energy.
The system reportedly reduces operating costs while increasing coating quality, by imparting higher particle velocities due to higher combustion chamber pressures of up to 13 bar, which is 3 to 5 bar greater than conventional liquid HVOF systems.
Studies have shown that higher combustion chamber pressure generates higher flame velocity, which in turn generates higher particle velocity and improved coating density. The company reports that numerous spray trials have demonstrated that the eGun delivers coatings with quality equal to or better than conventional HVOF or HP/HVOF torches.
The use of pre-combustion, together with a highly efficient combustion chamber, provides for a powerful and efficient combustion process. Ethanol allows the use of a significantly smaller main combustion chamber, which contributes to the reduction in the overall size and weight of the eGun.
www.fst.nl
Flame Spray Technologies, Netherlands, introduces its ethanol-fuel-based eGun System with UHP/HVOF eGun liquid fuel torch.
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Premier Furnace endothermic gas generator provides flexibility in gas flow capacity
August 3, 2015
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Premier Furnace Specialists Inc., Farmington Hills, Mich., recently received an order from a large Commercial Heat Treater in the state of Michigan to design, manufacture, and install an endothermic gas generator. It is a stand-alone unit designed to generate 3000 to 12,000 CHF of endothermic gas, and consists of four independent heating/cracking modules.
The system will provide wide flexibility in gas flow capacity that is automatically adjusted by the included Endolnjector gas mixing system. The generator insulation will have fiber modules in walls and roof and brick insulation on the floor. The burner system is direct fired with individual flame monitoring. The Endolnjectorâ„¢ will have integrated temperature control loops to control the temperature of the retorts. The "main control screen" will provide an overview of all important generator process factors.
http://www.premierfurnace.com/
Premier Furnace Specialists Inc., Farmington Hills, Mich., recently received an order from a large Commercial Heat Treater in the state of Michigan to design, manufacture, and install an endothermic gas generator.
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Proto Labs launches rapid magnesium thixomolding service
July 31, 2015
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Proto Labs Inc., Maple Plain, Minn., has introduced magnesium injection molding into its current rapid manufacturing services. This advanced injection molding process, known as thixomolding, enables product designers and engineers to prototype with the same materials and processes as the final production part. In addition to prototypes, Proto Labs offers production parts in quantities up to 5000+, with a typical turnaround time of 15 days.
Magnesium injection molding is a process of manufacturing fully dense, net-shape magnesium parts, similar to those produced in die casting, using an injection molding press. Referred to also as thixomolding, the process involves heating chipped magnesium feedstock in the barrel of a press. A reciprocating screw works the material into a thixotropic (gel-like) state, and the material is forced into a steel mold at high speed and pressure to create the part. Magnesium injection molding is a mature, established manufacturing process that produces strong, lightweight magnesium parts that maintain detailed features and thin walls.
Magnesium is a strong and lightweight metal that is increasingly being used in the automotive and aerospace industries to reduce weight. "In recent years, lightweighting has become a significant factor in automotive product development, for example, as engineers are being tasked with drastically reducing vehicle weight in order to improve vehicle gas mileage," says Becky Cater, Proto Labs' engineer and product manager. "We see magnesium injection molding as an important tool for achieving this."
Magnesium AZ-91D joins Proto Labs' current injection molding offerings that include more than a hundred thermoplastic, liquid silicone rubber, steel, and stainless steel materials.
The company uses advanced 3D printing, CNC machining, and injection molding technologies to produce parts within days. The result is an unprecedented speed-to-market value for product designers and engineers worldwide.
www.protolabs.com
Proto Labs Inc., Maple Plain, Minn., has introduced magnesium injection molding into its current rapid manufacturing services.
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