FPM Heat Treating has announced the acquisition of a vacuum furnace, enhancing the company’s capabilities to serve the manufacturing community, especially in the automotive and aerospace sectors. The furnace will meet an increasing demand for a specialized family of parts.
Bob Ferry Vice President of Quality & Engineering FPM Heat Treating
The furnace, fully compliant with NFPA, NADCAP, AMS, CQI-9, and other critical industry standards, has been installed at FPM Heat Treating by Solar Manufacturing. With an operating temperature of up to 2400°F (1315.5°C) and a weight capacity of 5,000 pounds, the furnace processes at specialized heat treatment cycles critical for automotive components as well as precise specifications for applications within consumer products and the military/aerospace sectors.
“We are committed to meeting the growing demands of our clients in the manufacturing community,” said Bob Ferry, vice president of quality and engineering at FPM Heat Treating. “The new Solar furnace enhances our capabilities and enables us to maintain the highest standards of quality and efficiency in our operations.”
Main Image: Adam Jones, Midwest regional sales manager at Solar Manufacturing, viewing the vacuum furnace’s 48” x 48” x 72” deep insulated hot zone
The press release is available in its original form here.
A manufacturer of components for the aviation and energy sectors is expanding its production capabilities with the acquisition of a horizontal vacuum heat treatment furnace. Huake Casting Control (Shanghai) Technology Co., Ltd., will use the equipment to manufacture precision gas turbine components and aircraft parts.
A Vector® horizontal vacuum heat treatment furnace Source: SECO/WARWICK Group
The solution, a member of the Vector® family of furnaces provided by SECO/WARWICK Group, comes with a graphite heating chamber and a 15-bar absolute gas quenching system, can operate at temperatures up to 2550°F (1400°C), and has a maximum gross load weight of 1767 lb (800 kg).
“We were convinced to choose the Vector furnace because of its wide range of heat treatment processes and applications, fast cycles with high pressure gas quenching and low consumption of energy, process gases and other media. Another undoubted advantage is that Vector is environmentally friendly and has low process gas emissions,” said Li Naixu, chairman of Huake Casting Control (Shanghai) Technology Co., Ltd.
“Huake Casting Control Technology has become our customer as the result of the SECO/WARWICK Group’s increasing reputation in Asia. . . . We want to provide partners with solutions which will allow them to grow and achieve their intended goals related to production, quality and profitability,” said Liu Yedong, managing director of SECO/WARWICK China.
The press release is available in its original form here.
U.S. Army Receives T901 Engines for UH-60 Black Hawk Flight Testing
The U.S Army recently received two T901 engines from a global aerospace propulsion, services, and systems provider. The engines have been slated for the Improved Turbine Engine Program’s UH-60 Black Hawk integration and testing.
The T901-GE-900 was developed by GE Aerospace in response to a need from the U.S. Army for increased power and reduced fuel consumption with a design that incorporates 3D-modeling, the use of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), and 3D-printed (additive) parts. The use of CMCs and additive manufacturing enables the engine to produce more power with less weight.
Amy Gowder President & CEO Defense & Systems GE Aerospace Source: GE Aerospace
“This delivery represents the beginning of a new era and a pivotal moment in our ongoing work with the U.S. Army,” said Amy Gowder, president and CEO, Defense & Systems at GE Aerospace. “The T901 engine will ensure warfighters will have the performance, power, and reliability necessary to maintain a significant advantage on the battlefield.”
This transaction follows the first ever ground run of an aircraft powered by a T901 engine, which took place in April, when a T-901 engine powered Sikorsky’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) prototype, Radar X, gathering data to support the engine’s integration into the service’s UH-60 Blackhawk and AH-64 Apache.
“Our team is immensely proud to announce the latest T901 deliveries to the U.S. Army,” said Tom Champion, director of GE Aerospace’s T901 program. “At every stage, these engines have demonstrated a level of performance that will undoubtedly help meet the demands of military missions for decades to come.”
Source: GE Aerospace
The next-generation rotorcraft engines were unboxed during a ceremony at Sikorsky’s facility in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Photo: GE Aerospace T901 engines unboxed during a ceremony at Sikorsky’s West Palm Beach facility. Source: GE Aerospace
The press release is available in its original form here.
Hot isostatic press (HIP) processing is a manufacturing technology used to densify metal and ceramic parts to improve a material’s mechanical properties. It is based on applying high levels of pressure (up to 2,000 bar/200Mpa) and temperature (up to 3632°F (2000°C)) through an inert atmosphere in order to densify parts and components, mostly of metallic and ceramic material, and to give them improved mechanical properties.
HIP technology has become the decisive tool for aerospace parts and components to certify materials and parts with the strictest quality and safety controls. These developments require highly advanced, complex, and processed materials capable of withstanding the demanding work they will be subjected to.
There are strategic materials and components in the space sector that can only be manufactured by advanced manufacturing in a specific way. Rubén García, project manager of HIP at Hiperbaric, noted that “These developments need very advanced, complex, and processed materials that are capable of withstanding the demanding work they will be subjected to. Therefore, advanced processes are needed to ensure and certify that these materials can be part of a satellite or rocket.” In addition to elements that form part of satellites and rockets and their respective engines, turbomachines, burners, and more intended for space also see benefits from HIP processing.
Rocket engine treated by HIP Technology Source: Hiperbaric
An X-ray inspection of each part evaluates the suitability of the component and ensures that it will not fail during the combustion process. “If we find any pores in the part, they are repaired with HIP technology, which repairs and densifies the component,” explains García. The HIP technology supplier uses Fast Cooling technology to cool materials very quickly, especially in materials whose capabilities may be impaired if they are not cooled quickly.
Emphasizing how HIP is the key that takes components to space, García describes, “The more complex qualification components are required to go through a HIP process to ensure that the component will not fail. Materials engineering and the metallurgical process are closely tied to these innovations to ensure what some processes can’t do 100%. That is where HIP becomes our best ally.”
Hiperbaric has devoted a HIP press for its HIP Innovation Center in Spain for companies worldwide for the purpose of investigating and developing HIP products with a particular focus on the aeronautical sector. Here, companies will find the help and knowledge required to achieve success.
About the Expert:
Rubén García Reizábal HIP Project Manager Hiperbaric
Rubén García Reizábal is an industrial engineer with a master’s degree in Material Components and Durability of Structures and has recently obtained his PhD. After his first stage in Hiperbaric, where he held the position of Quality Manager, he has been working as project manager of several R&D projects for more than 11 years. In this role, he leads all the actions of the Spanish-based company related to its hot isostatic pressing (HIP) business line, including R&D and business development efforts.
Spirit AeroSystems, a global manufacturer of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defense platforms, and business/regional jets recently announced it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with The Boeing Company. Additionally, Spirit has agreed to a subsequent agreement in which aerospace manufacturer Airbusacquires certain Spirit assets that serve Airbus programs.
Dave Calhoun President & CEO The Boeing Group Source: Linked In
The $8.3 billion Boeing transaction, expected to close mid-2025, will include all Boeing-related commercial, defense, aftermarket operations, and a commitment to ongoing partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense and Spirit defense operations. Spirit AeroSystems manufactures fuselage structures for the Boeing 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner, among other aircraft programs.
Patrick M. Shanahan President & CEO Spirit AeroSystems Source: U.S. Department of Defense
“This is an opportunity to bring back critical airplane manufacturing work on Boeing airplanes into our factories–where Boeing and Spirit world-class engineers and mechanics can work seamlessly together, focused on a common mission to build safe and quality airplanes for our customers,” said Dave Calhoun, president and CEO of Boeing, in a statement to employees on July 1, 2024.
The Airbus transaction will run concurrently with the closing of Spirit’s acquisition by Boeing and involves the potential acquisition of major activities related to Airbus, notably the production of A350 fuselage sections in Kinston, North Carolina, U.S., and St. Nazaire, France; of the A220’s wings and mid-fuselage in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Casablanca, Morocco; as well as of the A220 pylons in Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
“Bringing Spirit and Boeing together will enable greater integration of both companies’ manufacturing and engineering capabilities, including safety and quality systems,” said Patrick M. Shanahan, president and CEO of Spirit. “We are proud of the part we have played in Airbus’ programs and believe bringing these programs under Airbus ownership will enable greater integration and alignment.”
In taking over those operations, Airbus will pay a nominal $1.00 and will be compensated with $559 million from Spirit AeroSystems.
Related press releases are available in their original form here, here, and here.
A global manufacturer of aircraft parts has ordered a single-chamber vacuum furnace for brazing jet engine parts. The new equipment will replace a 30-year-old unit previously operating in its Poland-based plant.
Jędrzej Malinowski Sales Manager SECO/WARWICK Group Source: LinkedIn
The new Vector® vacuum furnace is being supplied by SECO/WARWICK, which also manufactured the retiring equipment. The upgrade is based on a standard Vector vacuum furnace with a working space of 900 x 900 x 1200 mm, with screen insulation and metal heating elements. The solution has been adapted to industry specific needs and can heat treat jet engine components, such as complex gears or main shafts.
“This unit is distinguished by the ability to carry out efficient and clean high vacuum processes thanks to the use of a molybdenum heating chamber and a very efficient pumping system. This ensures very high purity and the dynamics required for brazing processes. Another big advantage is the very good temperature uniformity in the molybdenum heating chamber and compliance with the strict requirements of industry standards such as AMS2750,” said Jędrzej Malinowski, sales manager, SECO/WARWICK Group.
The press release is available in its original form here.
An aerospace company has purchased a rod overbend box furnace to heat treat parts under an inert atmosphere. The heat treating furnace has a maximum temperature rating of 2,000°F and a load capacity of 6,000 lbs.
The box furnace, which was manufactured and shipped by Michigan-based Lindberg/MPH, has an automated load transfer table and is designed to heat treat parts in a nitrogen atmosphere. A nitrogen gas flow meter controls the atmospheric conditions.
The box furnace includes an automated load transfer table. Under the table, five (5) fans with a variable-frequency drive provide accelerated cooling. The load table utilizes a pusher/puller mechanism to move parts trays in and out of the furnace.
The furnace’s radiant heating system uses heavy-gauge alloy rod over-bend heating elements mounted along the side walls and the floor. Two (2) Watlow F4T controllers control and record the furnace temperature, which allows for seven (7) zones of heating. The box furnace also meets Class 3 temperature uniformity of ±15°F at 1,000°F – 1,800°F.
The press release is available in its original form here.
An aerospace, industrial gas turbine, and automotive market leader has expanded its heat treatment operations with a recently purchased air atmosphere furnace. Connecticut-based Doncaster Precision Castings will use the new furnace to support annealing, tempering, and heat treatment of steel and castings.
Doncaster Precision Castings previously received a similar model for use in its heavy-duty industrial processes within the aerospace and automotive sectors. The furnace, supplied by L&L Special Furnace, has a maximum temperature of 1850°F (1010°C) and a capacity to handle a typical load weight of 2,000 pounds.
The press release is available in its original form here.
An electrically heated drop bottom furnace with a traveling quench tank and a maintenance platform has been shipped to an aerospace company for the solution heat treatmentMike Grande Vice President of Sales Wisconsin Oven Corporation Source: Wisconsin Oven Corporationof aluminum parts.
Wisconsin Oven designed the drop bottom furnace with sufficient capacity to heat 600 pounds of aluminum per load and provide a quench delay that does not exceed 5 seconds. The system also includes a slow drop speed program to be used for heating applications that do not require a quench.
“This drop bottom furnace was designed with a 5 second quench delay, and a temperature uniformity of +/- 5°F at the set points 850°F and 1,100°F. In addition, the system was tested to be in compliance with AMS2750F, Class 1 furnaces and instrumentation Type C prior to shipment from our manufacturing facility,” said Mike Grande, vice president of sales at Wisconsin Oven.
The press release is available in its original form here.
We’re celebrating getting to the “fringe” of the weekend with a Heat Treat Fringe Friday covering news about the promise gallium nitride (GaN) for the future of missions to Venus. Specifically, how this high-temperature-defying material may be used to form semiconductors that won’t melt on the near 900°F surface of Venus.
While not exactly heat treat, “Fringe Friday” deals with interesting developments in one of our key markets: aerospace, automotive, medical, energy, or general manufacturing.
Gallium nitride is a material that researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have been studying how it performs when exposed to high temperatures. They have recently announced that their research has shown successful performance results at 500°C for 48 hours.
The surface of Venus can reach temperatures of up to 480°C. With silicon-based electronics incapable of operating at these high temperatures or a long duration of time, finding a material that can take the heat becomes critical to prospect of sending a rover to the planet’s surface.
John Niroula, an electrical engineering and computer science (EECS) graduate student and lead author of the paper, commented, “Transistors are the heart of most modern electronics, but we didn’t want to jump straight to making a gallium nitride transistor because so much could go wrong. We first wanted to make sure the material and contacts could survive, and figure out how much they change as you increase the temperature. We’ll design our transistor from these basic material building blocks.”
Funding of this research has come from numerous interested parties, including the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Lockheed Martin Corporation, the Semiconductor Research Corporation through the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, Intel Corporation, and the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
