ASM member Julien Noel named Vice President/General Manager of Buehler
January 8, 2019
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ITW Test and Measurement Group President Yahya Gharagozlou has named ASM member Julien Noel Vice President/General Manager of its Buehler worldwide division. Buehler, Lake Bluff, Ill., is an ITW company and a premier manufacturer of scientific equipment and consumables for materials analysis.
Julien Noel has been at Buehler since 2015, where he most recently served as the Americas Commercial Director in addition to Global Director of Strategy and Innovation. Noel came to ITW during the acquisition of North Star Imaging in 2010. There he held several leadership roles including General Manager of Europe, Product Management and Business Development. Prior to that, he was Business Manager for Digisens and Professor at the Grenoble School of Management in France. He replaces Meredith Platt, who has been transferred to ITW's Automotive segment and is taking up the role of Vice President/General Manager for a global automotive division -- Seats, Safety, and Motion.
“I am excited to take on this crucial leadership role for Buehler,†says Mr. Noel. "During the last few years we developed successful new products, streamlined online shopping, and improved our customer care/service offerings. I look forward to leading the charge and continuing on the path to create superior products.â€
www.buehler.com
ITW Test and Measurement Group President Yahya Gharagozlou has named ASM member Julien Noel Vice President/General Manager of its Buehler worldwide division.
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Solar installs 100-ton vacuum hot press heat treating system with gas fan quench cooling
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Solar Manufacturing Inc., Souderton, Pa., announces that it has completed the installation and startup of a large 100-ton-force vacuum hot press that is capable of treating a 4000-pound part for Refrac Systems’ commercial and aerospace diffusion-bonding operation in Chandler, Arizona. The system includes a two-bar gas fan quench.
Working with Solar’s engineering team, Refrac Systems selected a derivative of the Solar Manufacturing standard HLF-5748-2IQ internally quenched two-bar vacuum furnace as the base design. The furnace hot zone was modified to contain a 100-ton load hydraulic ram centered over the zone, which is configured to diffusion bond parts up to 36 inches wide x 48 inches long x 30 inches tall. The system was specifically designed to diffusion bond large plastic injection molding dies, while concurrently quench hardening them. In addition, the system is finding applications in bonding advanced superalloy heat exchangers, for which the quench cooling offers significant improvement in performance.
According to Norm Hubele, President of Refrac Systems, “We really drew on the extensive engineering experience base that Solar Manufacturing has for building large gas fan quench-cooled vacuum furnaces coupled with our own vacuum hot-pressing experience to build this very unique hot-press system.â€
During the course of system design and development, a number of new and complex engineering solutions were needed to reduce the operational and ownership risks for the new type of furnace system.
William Jones, CEO of the Solar Atmospheres family of companies, notes that “Norm put together a team of engineers to design and build this state-of-the-art GFQVHP, and it contains many innovations. Throughout the entire process, Norm personally reviewed all aspects of the design and added considerable insight to the development of this unique vacuum furnace system.â€
Solar Manufacturing designs and manufactures a wide variety of vacuum heat treating, sintering and brazing furnaces, and offers replacement hot zones, spare parts, and professional service.
www.solarmfg.com
www.refrac.com
Solar Manufacturing Inc., Souderton, Pa., announces that it has completed the installation and startup of a large 100-ton-force vacuum hot press that is capable of treating a 4000-pound part for Refrac Systems’ commercial and aerospace diffusion-bonding operation in Chandler, Arizona.
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Wisconsin Oven ships mix of custom and standard ovens in 2018 to many industries
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Wisconsin Oven, East Troy, reports that 2018 was another year of strong growth, as the company shipped 224 pieces of equipment to customers in industries such as composites, aerospace, technology, and automotive.
This equipment included a mix of custom and standard batch and conveyor ovens that were used for curing composites, treating aluminum castings, post curing refractory material, and stress relieving automotive springs. This year the Wisconsin Oven team installed the world’s largest composite cure oven, a significant accomplishment in the drive to be the leading supplier of composite curing ovens in the world.
Dave Strand, President, and CEO, had been noticing for years the need for more skilled trades workers in the job market, and in 2018 made his dream of Wisconsin Oven Universal Training Center (WOC-U) a reality. At the new WOC-U center, experienced Wisconsin Oven production personnel and engineers provide specialized training to help prepare the workforce of the future. The students are paid during their training and many are hired to full time upon graduation.
www.wisoven.com
Wisconsin Oven, East Troy, reports that 2018 was another strong year of growth, as the company shipped 224 pieces of equipment to customers in industries such as composites, aerospace, technology, and automotive.
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Lindberg ships 130 heat treating systems to automotive, aerospace, and other industries
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Lindberg MPH, Riverside, Mich., reports that in 2018 the company shipped a total of 130 units to companies in industries such as automotive, aerospace, foundry, electronics, R&D, oil & gas, and technology. Some examples of applications include soldering parts for computers, casting parts for recreational vehicles, and stress relieving drill heads for the oil & gas industry.
"Our strategic growth plan has been paying off, as we realized significant growth in equipment orders,†says Steve Kempowski, President, Lindberg/MPH. “We have added many jobs to our work force to support our growth. As we continue to execute our growth initiatives, we expect 2019 to be another very good year.â€-
www.lindbergmph.com
Lindberg MPH, Riverside, Mich., reports that in 2018 the company shipped a total of 130 units to companies in industries such as automotive, aerospace, foundry, electronics, R&D, oil & gas, and technology.
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Contour Hardening acquires gas nitride induction system to heat treat complex parts
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Contour Hardening, Indianapolis, announces the purchase of a gas nitride unit that will help Contour expand its offerings in the automotive sector and expand more deeply into the aerospace market. Contour will install the first unit at its global headquarters in Indianapolis, in late spring 2019.
Since its founding in 1986, Contour has both manufactured induction heat treat systems and offered commercial induction processing services for industry partners around the globe. The new gas nitride unit allows Contour to expand services focusing on distortion-critical, complex parts for clients. With the addition of nitriding, it allows increased offerings to solve complex parts demanding dimensional control through engineered processes.
“Our customers rely on our controlled heat-treatment processes, 100% hardness verification, and dimensional inspections,†says Neil Merrell, Director-Heat Treat.. “Our goal is to drive out part variation and provide a repeatable dimensionally accurate part.â€
“For several years we have planned to have a more significant presence in the aerospace, agricultural, heavy truck and light automotive industries,†says Ben Crawford, Contour CEO and President. “The purchase of this gas nitride unit will allow us to do just that, and complement our induction and dimensional services. We are committed to offering innovative thermal heat treat solutions to our clients globally, and this investment is proof of our commitment.â€
www.contourhardening.com)
Contour Hardening, Indianapolis, announces the purchase of a gas nitride unit that will help Contour expand its offerings in the automotive sector and expand more deeply into the aerospace market.
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AK Steel uses neutron spallation source at Oak Ridge to improve manufacture of AHSS
January 3, 2019
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AK Steel Corp., West Chester, Ohio, accepted an award of up to $1.2 million last October from the U.S. Department of Energy under the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office program to investigate novel low-density steels that could ultimately be used in automotive structural applications.
Specifically, scientists from AK Steel are using neutrons at Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) to discover how different manufacturing processes affect the performance of the company's new advanced high-strength steel (AHSS), called Nexmet 1000. Neutrons, unlike electrons or X-rays, are highly penetrating, nondestructive, and sensitive to lighter elements, making them an ideal probe for this novel category of steel materials.
"The Vulcan instrument at the SNS provides information about the crystal structure of AHSS during different stages of the stamping process that we cannot get anywhere else in the United States," said Wei Wu of AK Steel. "This data will be vital to improving our manufacturing methods and will make it easier to quickly identify the best new materials to blend with Nexmet 1000 to produce lighter, safer, and more durable automotive components."
The three-year project is being conducted in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory Materials Science and Technology Division, and the Advanced Steel Processing and Products Research Center in the Department of Metallurgical & Materials Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines.
The objective of the project is to conduct alloy design, laboratory validation, and testing of low density steels that are alternatives to currently available advanced high strength steels and other lightweight metals. These low density steels are expected to generate energy savings by bringing efficiencies in manufacturing and lifetime savings in automotive structural applications.
www.aksteel.com
AK Steel Corp., West Chester, Ohio, accepted an award of up to $1.2 million last October from the U.S. Department of Energy under the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office program to investigate novel low-density steels that could ultimately be used in automotive structural applications.
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MEC introduces detachable powder feeder canister for quick powder changeover
January 2, 2019
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Metallizing Equipment Corp. (MEC), India, introduces a state-of-the-art “Quick Detachable Canister†volumetric feed powder feeder PF-3350-MFS for instant changeover of powder for different powders during same coating/cladding process without emptying the powder canister.
These powder feeders are available in standard version with Massflow controlled, independently PLC operated, for standalone/multicoat processes. They can be used with MEC thermal spray systems or existing spray/cladding systems. It is available in 3350 cc volumetric capacity.
The volumetric feeding principle exhibits excellent powder feed rate consistency throughout any thermal spray operation. It contributes significantly uniform thermally sprayed coatings, and also results in predictable coating thickness. With unlatching/latching toggle clamps, the complete canister assembly can be removed from the feeder base, thus allowing easy replacement with other pre-filled canisters of different powders.
In the single feeder type design, a stand is provided on the portable trolley for the operator to place the detached feeder, in order to keep the canister assembly secured for the next operation. This feature saves operator time in changing the type of powder, as considerable time is consumed in emptying, cleaning, and re-filling the canister with new powder. It also avoids contamination of the powder, which could happen when changing to different powders in one canister.
www.mecpl.com
Metallizing Equipment Corp. (MEC), India, introduces a state-of-the-art “Quick Detachable Canister” volumetric feed powder feeder PF-3350-MFS for instant changeover of powder for different powders during same coating/cladding process without emptying the powder canister.
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Spray Tips: Continuous Galvanizing Line
January 1, 2019
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The schematic diagram shows the pot region of a continuous hot dip metal coating line. Degradation of sink rolls and other rolls associated with continuous galvanizing lines is due to zinc and/or aluminum reactions with iron from the steel rolls. These reaction products degrade the rolls and affect the surface of the steel products. Some of these reaction products are called dross particles.
The most commonly used zinc baths are galvanized zinc with minor concentrations of aluminum, zinc with 0.5 wt% Al, and zinc with 55 wt% Al and minor amounts of silicon. Currently, coatings consist of tungsten carbide/cobalt powders applied via HVOF or detonation gun technology. The success of these coatings depends on the spray parameters, powder manufacturing method, and sealant system. The key to increased life is to reduce the amount of free cobalt in the coating.
https://dl.asminternational.org/books/book/12/chapter/132957/Thermal-Spray-Applications-in-the-Steel-Industry
The most commonly used zinc baths are galvanized zinc with minor concentrations of aluminum, zinc with 0.5 wt% Al, and zinc with 55 wt% Al and minor amounts of silicon.
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Praxair receives award from Pratt & Whitney for reducing costs, increasing efficiency
December 31, 2018
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Praxair Surface Technologies, Danbury, Conn., announces that it has received Pratt & Whitney’s 2018 Supplier Sustainability Award, which is given yearly to recognize a supplier that demonstrates exemplary commitment to environmental sustainability. Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture, and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, as well as auxiliary power units.
“Praxair is committed to improving our customers’ performance while helping them to reduce their environmental footprint,†said PST Vice President of Americas, Dean Hackett. “We work with our customers to develop solutions that help them reduce operating costs, increase process efficiencies, and improve environmental performance.â€
Recently, the aviation industry has increased its focus on replacing chrome, cadmium, and other materials with more sustainable options. PST offers replacement solutions that help reduce reliance on these materials, helping to improve their environmental performance. Other advanced coating solutions also decrease energy consumption and reduce NOx emissions.
“PST emerged as a leader among many strong applicants for this year’s sustainability award,†said Lisa Szewczul, vice president, Environment, Health & Safety, Pratt & Whitney. “We were particularly impressed with their transparency, ambitious targets, and alignment with Pratt & Whitney’s environment, health, and safety goals. Praxair’s use of life cycle analysis demonstrates the link between sustainability and business value. This positions them to support our commitment to reducing the overall environmental impacts of our operations and products.â€
www.praxairsurfacetechnologies.com.
Praxair Surface Technologies, Danbury, Conn., announces that it has received Pratt & Whitney’s 2018 Supplier Sustainability Award, which is given yearly to recognize a supplier that demonstrates exemplary commitment to environmental sustainability.
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Pitt and General Carbide partner to improve tungsten carbide powders for 3D printing
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The University of Pittsburgh and General Carbide Corp., Greensburg, Pa., report that recent awards from the state of Pennsylvania will enable research into improving tungsten carbide powders and developing 3D printing methods for more effective and economical additive manufacturing.
Tungsten carbide is one of the most versatile metal compounds and is renowned for its durability and strength, making it perfect for cutting tools, boring machines, and surgical instruments. Although it would seem ideal for additive manufacturing, tungsten carbide is susceptible to fractures and breakage when exposed to the extreme laser heat used in printing metal powders.
"Additive manufacturing is increasingly adopted by industry to build highly complex metal parts, but the rapid local heating and cooling during energy beam-based 3D metal printing produces large thermal gradients that cause tungsten carbide to crack," explains principal investigator Markus Chmielus, Pitt assistant professor. "Binder jet 3D printing is more effective because it selectively joins powder particles with a binder, one microscopic layer on top of another, without any temperature fluctuations during printing."
Still key to utilizing tungsten carbide, however, is that after a part is printed, it needs to withstand sintering and potentially HIP. Therefore, Dr. Chmielus and General Carbide will investigate various tungsten carbide base powders that can be utilized in a binder jet 3D printer, as well as optimize the printing process and subsequent sintering and HIP.
The project is financed in part by a $57,529 grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the first round of the PA Manufacturing Innovation Program (PAMIP). Cost share from Pitt's Swanson School of Engineering and General Carbide will provide a total funding of $145,000.
www.engineering.pitt.edu
The University of Pittsburgh and General Carbide Corp., Greensburg, Pa., report that recent awards from the state of Pennsylvania will enable research into improving tungsten carbide powders and developing 3D printing methods for more effective and economical additive manufacturing.
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