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.
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 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.
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.
Bruker microCT (Kontich, Belgium) introduces a newly developed volume rendering application for mobile devices operating under iOS, such as iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. It is now available as a free download on the App Store. Any 3D results obtained using SkyScan scanners can be sent to a mobile device for realistic visualization by real-time volume rendering with the possibility of 3D object manipulation, virtual cut, adjustments of object’s opacity and colors, etc.
