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.
Nitrex Metal, St. Laurent, Quebec, Canada, has sold a compact nitriding system to Altest Ltd.at its Bulgarian plant to nitride aluminum extrusion dies. The NXK-412 system has a capacity of 880 lb., and is supplied with Nitreg technology, a neutralizer, and an ammonia purification system. Altest opted for a nitriding system with a higher capacity than their current requirements to keep pace with expansion plans that will see its extrusion capacity double by next year.
The U.S. Defense Logistics Agency is requesting assistance on identifying materials critical to military and essential civilian needs. To ensure consideration of all materials important to the U.S. Department of Defense, the agency is seeking survey responses to be received before the end of July from organizations and experts who are concerned with availability of critical materials.
