Lumenous Device Technologies, Sunnyvale, Calif., offers research, development, and design expertise for medical devices. Alloys include 300-series stainless steels, Nitinol (NiTi), and cobalt-chrome alloys. Typical material thickness ranges from 25 to 500 microns, and devices are cut with laser beams. Testing (analytical labs), finite element analysis, fatigue testing, and biocompatibility analysis are also offered. Kerf width varies with alloy, thickness, and speed of process.
Sulzer Metco plasma spray gun features cascading arc technology
Sulzer Metco, Switzerland, has released a new plasma spray gun, the SinplexPro, with cascading arc technology. It typically boosts process efficiency by 60% to 170% over conventional spray guns, based on testing to date. It eliminates the interdependence of the plasma arc with processing gases and flows, which results in a more idealized state of the plasma jet that provides more uniform heating of feedstock particles.
Test gauge measures very high pressure
Responding to the need for high-pressure products, Crystal Engineering, San Luis Obispo, Calif., a leader in high-end portable pressure calibrators and digital test gauges, introduced a 15,000 psi version of its popular XP2i test gauge. The ultra-rugged, intrinsically safe, easy-to-use test gauge joins the recently released GaugeCalHP Pressure Comparator and nVision Reference Recorder among other instruments offered by the company. The one-year XP2i accuracy specification is 0.
ThyssenKrupp and Audi partner for manufacture of hot-formed auto parts
ThyssenKrupp System Engineering, Germany, is developing a pioneering line for the manufacture of hot-formed parts in close cooperation with Audi AG and Ebner Ofenbau. Hot forming of high-strength steels is becoming established worldwide as a cost-efficient lightweighting solution in medium- and high-volume car body manufacture. Components produced in this way meet rising demands in terms of shape and occupant safety as well as for lower weight.
Titanium-based catalyst may enable cutting magnesium production cost in half
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Wash., is developing a titanium-based catalyst that regenerates an important chemical that will enable a more efficient magnesium extraction process that should cut magnesium production costs in half. PNNL is partnering with Global Seawater Extraction Technologies and Utah magnesium plant owner U.S. Magnesium LLC.