MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

Car Bottom Furnace Increases Large Component Heat Treat for Solar Atmospheres

/ ATMOSPHERE AIR FURNACES NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, TEMPERING, TEMPERING NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

Solar Atmospheres of Western PA recently commissioned their third car bottom air furnace. This Class 2 air furnace has a maximum operating temperature of 1350°F measures 60” wide x 38” high x 168” deep.

The newly installed equipment, manufactured by Heat Treat Equipment Inc., joins two other HTE car bottom furnaces that are 14’ long and 20’ long respectively.

“After successfully hardening in vacuum at 1850°F +/- 10°F, the fully hardened die was transferred to the air car bottom furnace for the triple temper operation of 1025°F +/- 10°F.” – Bob Hill, President, Solar Atmospheres WPA and Michigan
Source: Solar Atmospheres
Source: Solar
Robert (Bob) Hill, FASM
President
Solar Atmospheres of Western PA
Source: Solar Atmospheres

Bob Hill, president of Solar Atmospheres of Western PA and Michigan, states, “the addition of this large air tempering/aging equipment compliments our five (5) state of the art vacuum car bottom furnaces very nicely. Instead of hardening and triple tempering this 6000 pound H13 die exclusively in a vacuum environment, Solar can save our customers and our company over 100 hours of valuable and expensive vacuum processing time.”

He continues, “After successfully hardening in vacuum at 1850°F +/- 10°F, the fully hardened die was transferred to the air car bottom furnace for the triple temper operation of 1025°F +/- 10°F. These large and uniform car bottom furnaces are a win/win for both the customer and for production — not exclusively for heavy parts, but also when treating long components.”

This press release is available in its original form here.

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Fringe Friday: “So, I gave you the apple…”

/ FEATURED NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

We’re celebrating getting to the “fringe” of the weekend with a Heat Treat Fringe Friday installment: a video unveiling the learning progress of Figure 01. Learn more about this startling conversational machine that may become the world’s first commercially viable autonomous humanoid robot.

While not exactly heat treat, “Fringe Friday” deals with interesting developments in one of our key markets: aerospace, automotive, medical, energy, or general manufacturing.

“So, I gave you the apple because it’s the only, uh, edible item I could provide you with from the table.” A humanoid robot called Figure 01 (read “figure one”) is making a splash as a personable, multitasking robot.

If you are someone who appreciates clear speech patterns, rapid-fire conversation, and other social ques, like facial expression and hand motions, you are out of luck. But if you are looking for a patient, accommodating, young adult male, OpenAI models-trained machine to add to your workforce, this robot may be a commercially available option for you soon.

Figure 01 is intended for “general purposes,” coming beside humans in the workforce to “create and produce so much more, address drastic labor shortages, and reduce the number of workers in unsafe jobs.” One might imagine Figure 01 loading and unloading baskets with components to heat treat or perhaps take on the task of opening the furnace door and testing the atmosphere gasses that linger. Of course, if you were to ask Figure 01 to load a basket with components to heat treat, it may take him 4 seconds before answering, “Certainly.”

Watch the video below, created by Figure, a U.S.-based AI robotics company.

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Aluminum Extrusion Operations Bring Nitriding In-House

/ ALUMINUM PROCESSING NEWS, ATMOSPHERE AIR FURNACES NEWS, AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT, AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT TECHNICAL CONTENT, FEATURED NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, NITRIDING, NITRIDING NEWS

Extral SP. Z o.o., a Polish company specializing in aluminum extrusions, has bolstered its manufacturing capabilities to better serve the construction, automobile, and machinery industries. Alongside acquiring a new aluminum extrusion press, the company ordered a nitriding system to nitride H11 and H13 extrusion dies of various sizes.

Nitriding pit furnace from Nitrex

The Nitrex turnkey nitriding system includes an NX-1015 pit-type furnace with a 2-ton (4410-lb) load capacity and NITREG® technology, offering nitriding treatments that optimize die performance and throughput while concurrently reducing tooling costs.

This investment coincides with Extral’s expansion of its operational footprint in Poland, including the construction of a new building to house the extrusion press and furnace. This expansion enables the company to diversify its range of extruded products while maintaining a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. The new nitriding installation will contribute to these objectives by providing more efficient use of process gases and electricity.

Marcin Stokłosa
Project Manager
Nitrex Poland
Source: LinkedIn.com

Previously, Extral outsourced its nitriding operations to a local heat treater, due to quality issues encountered with an underperforming in-house nitriding unit. However, this latest investment enables them to bring nitriding operations back in-house, ensuring better control over the quality and consistency of their nitrided dies while also benefiting from expedited turnaround times.

Marcin Stoklosa, project manager at Nitrex, said, “Working with Extral on this project has been a pleasure. . . . Seeing customers invest in their business and achieve their goals, especially when it aligns with our values of innovation and sustainability, is always rewarding.”

This press release is available in its original form here.

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Increased HIP on the Horizon: Kittyhawk Expands with Stack HIP Acquisition

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT, AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, FEATURED NEWS, HIPING NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT NEWS

Kittyhawk, Inc., backed by the Dallas-based private equity firm Trive Capital, has acquired Stack HIP, LLC from Stack Metallurgical Group (SMG). The acquisition represents a significant expansion of capacity and capabilities in hot isostatic pressing (HIP) for aerospace, space, defense, and medical applications.

Operating from its facility in Albany, OR, Stack HIP provides HIP services to aerospace, defense, and medical clients by operating the largest high-pressure HIP vessels in North America. This enables them to process large, complex castings and additively manufactured metallic parts. Post-closing, SMG will continue to operate its classical heat treatment and aluminum special processing facilities in Portland, OR, Spokane, WA, and Salt Lake City, UT.

Brandon Creason
President
Kittyhawk

“We’re excited to welcome Stack HIP customers, employees, and suppliers into the Kittyhawk family,” said Brandon Creason, president of Kittyhawk. “Stack HIP will allow Kittyhawk to service mission critical parts up to 63” in diameter, enabling us to process the full array of components for our customers. At Kittyhawk, we commit every day to providing the best service and quality to our customers, and we’re thrilled to now do that with the added capabilities and dedicated employees of Stack HIP.”

Doug Puerta
CEO
Stack Metallurgical Group

Doug Puerta, CEO of SMG commented, “We look forward to continued collaboration with Kittyhawk to deliver a differentiated level of service, quality, and value to our shared customers. This transaction will allow both companies to further drive capacity, quality, and capabilities in our respective services to best serve the PNW market.”

“This is an important step in growing the platform specialized in this highly-differentiated HIP capability. [Kittyhawk] continues to benefit from strong industry tailwinds, and we are excited to support our customers by investing in capacity,” said David Stinnett, partner at Trive.

This press release is available in its original form upon request.

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US Army Enlists Metallus for Munitions Expansion

/ FEATURED NEWS, FORGING NEWS, FOUNDRY CASTING NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

Metallus, formerly known as TimkenSteel and a leader in high-quality specialty metals, manufactured components, and supply chain solutions, announced that the company has entered an agreement for up to $99 million in funding from the United States Army.

Half of the funding is currently obligated, with the balance subject to mutual agreement during subsequent phases after the final project details are presented to the Army. This funding will support a project aimed at bolstering the Army’s mission of ramping up artillery shell production in the coming years.

Mike Williams
President and CEO
Metallus
Source: Metallus

Specifically, this project will enable the development of additional capacity to help fulfill increased global demand for artillery shells. The new capability is expected to increase throughput of high-quality bar-based products used in artillery applications and support approximately $60 million of incremental base sales annually, demand dependent. The company is targeting late 2025 for this new capability to be operational with funding to be provided throughout the procurement and installation process.

“Metallus is honored to expand our commitment to the defense sector, reliably providing high-quality specialty metals for critical applications. With this funding, we intend to further optimize our assets to meet the Department of Defense’s heightened demand while reducing our carbon footprint,” affirmed Mike Williams, president and CEO.

The 2022 National Defense Strategy outlines the Department of Defense’s commitment to establishing a modernized and coordinated defense industrial network. This initiative aims to develop a reliable and resilient supply chain of industrial partners over the next several years that will significantly enhance the nation’s defense capabilities for the long-term.

This press release is available in its original form here.

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Innovative Engineering Partnership To Serve North American Lithium-Ion Battery Market

/ MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, OVENS-HIGH-TEMPERATURE

EVERGREEN KILN TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, located in Niagara Falls, U.S.A., and SUZHOU KILNPARTNER Mechanical Technology Co., Ltd., located in China, officially announced their strategic partnership to service and support the growing demands of the North American lithium-ion battery market.

This partnership will provide the market’s battery material producers with access to modern and innovative kiln system solutions for producing cathode (LFP, NMC) and Anode Active Materials.

EVERGREEN KILN TECHNOLOGIES, LLC will operate as a subsidiary of CAN-ENG FURNACES INTERNATIONAL, LTD. (CAN-ENG), where CAN-ENG will share over 60 years experience designing and developing customized thermal processing solutions.

This partnership between the two companies encompasses various areas including marketing, brand collaboration, technological development, production, and engineering, as well as after-sales services. The goal of the companies is to create innovative methods for the thermal processing of battery powder and provide kiln solutions to clients in North America.

This press release is available in its original form here.

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Vacuum Furnace for Global Wire Mesh Products Supplier in Auto Industry

/ AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT NEWS, COOLING SYSTEMS NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

A U.S.-based engineered knitted wire mesh solutions company and global supplier for the automotive, food service, and janitorial industries will receive a vacuum heat treat furnace. The furnace will be primarily utilized for vacuum annealing materials that are susceptible to adverse effects of their mechanical properties when exposed to any levels of oxygen or nitrogen.

Solar Manufacturing Mentor® Pro Model HFL-3036-2IQ furnace
Source: Solar Manufacturing
Jason Davidson
Northeast Regional Sales Manager
Solar
Source: solarmfg.com

This vacuum furnace features a molybdenum shielded hot zone measuring 18” wide x 18” high x 36” deep. It is capable of operating temperatures up to 2400°F and has a workload weight capacity of up to 1,000 lbs. Additionally, it includes the SolarVac® Essentials PLC-based control system. The internal gas cooling system with a 50 HP drive motor can reach quenching workloads at 2-bar positive pressure in either nitrogen or argon.

Jason Davidson, regional sales manager at Solar Manufacturing, states, “Our customer started running trials with our affiliate commercial heat treater, Solar Atmospheres. Once the trial results proved the heat treat cycle, and the [Mentor® Pro Model HFL-3036-2IQ] furnace demonstrated it could process the required quantities, the customer had confidence to place the purchase order with us.”

This press release is available in its original form here.

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Heat Treater Adds Austempering Capabilities for U.S. Markets

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS, HIPING NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

Aalberts surface technologies, a global provider of specialized thermal processing, surface treatment, and material coating solutions, announced on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, that it is making changes to its U.S. portfolio in response to changing market dynamics. The provider has made investments in its Canton, OH, facility, adding austempering capabilities which will provide a logistically favorable option to clients located in the Midwestern, Eastern, and Northeastern U.S. markets. To balance the capacity available in the market with demand, the heat treat provider will be closing its plant in Ft Smith, AR.

Steve Wyatt
President
Aalberts surface technologies – HIP | Braze | Heat Treatment

Source: Aalberts Surface Technologies

“The decision to exit the austempering market in the South was a difficult one, but the market for austempering in the addressable market for our Ft Smith, AR plant simply is not sufficient to sustain the operation. We recognize the hardships that this difficult decision may create and will be working with our Ft Smith Team to minimize the impact as much as possible, including exploring opportunities at one of the many other Aalberts locations,” says Steve Wyatt, president of Aalberts surface ­technologies – HIP ­­­­­­­|­­ braze | heat treatment.

The austempering capabilities in Canton, OH, will startup in mid-February 2024 and be fully production ready by the end of March 2024. The decommissioning of the Ft Smith, AR, plant will begin in mid-February 2024, with production expected to cease when we have completed working with clients to transition their product, but not later than April 2024.

Oliver Jaeger
CEO
Aalberts surface technologies
LinkedIn

“We are focused on optimizing our portfolio around the globe; this initiative is about responding to what the market needs and where it is needed.  In our business, logistics is a significant percentage of the total cost of our services, therefore, we must constantly be seeking ways to minimize that cost for our customers. We are committed to growing in the U.S. and look forward to partnering with our customers to develop solutions that contribute to our mutual success,” says Oliver Jaeger, CEO of Aalberts surface technologies.

The original press release from Aalberts surface technologies is available upon request.

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Supplier Expansion Anticipates Growth and Innovation for Manufacturers with Heat Treat

/ COOLING SYSTEMS NEWS, FEATURED NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS
Lee Sobocinski President Thermal Care Inc
HTD Size-PR Logo

PiovanGroup is launching a new strategic division for industrial and process refrigeration, the result of the integration of the businesses operated by the recently acquired Thermal Care and Aquatech.

With a legacy spanning over half a century, Thermal Care and Aquatech have solidified themselves as prominent players in industrial process cooling markets by providing high‐quality, sustainable equipment and solutions. Operating primarily out of the U.S., near Chicago, Thermal Care has been a leader in the design, manufacturing, sales, and service of heat‐transfer solutions across various industries.

Thermal Care and Aquatech products manufactured in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America will continue to be produced and sold in their respective regions, now under the newly established division. The integration of these business units will provide R&D efficiencies and an expanded portfolio of products, solutions, and services capable of serving a wider range of market sectors.

The Thermal Care brand now expands globally, facilitated by the integration of the Aquatech business which moves forward under the banner of Thermal Care. The inclusion of PiovanGroup into the Thermal Care logo not only signifies geographical expansion but also reflects a unified vision for growth and innovation.

The new division, headed by Lee Sobocinski, current president of Thermal Care Inc., shall operate under the Thermal Care brand and will have consolidated sales of approximately 100 million Euro, globally. The creation of the global brand, coupled with the exchange of the institutional knowledge within PiovanGroup into this emerging division, will provide assistance to clients, irrespective of their geographical presence, spanning from preliminary sales engagement to post‐sales support.

The announcement of this pivotal moment in the ongoing progression of Thermal Care coincides with the commemoration of the group’s 90th anniversary and its 60th anniversary in the polymer industry.

The original press release from Thermal Care is available upon request.

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Box Furnace Increases Tempering Capabilities for Castings Company

/ ATMOSPHERE AIR FURNACES NEWS, FEATURED NEWS, FOUNDRY CASTING NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, TEMPERING NEWS
Tom Schulz Sales Manager L&L Special Furnace Source: L&L
HTD Size-PR Logo

An investment castings manufacturer's heat treat department received a large floor-standing box furnace from a North American specialty furnace company. The furnace will be used as support in the client's tool and die production along with tempering of finished castings.

The L&L model XLE3436 box furnace from L&L Special Furnace has an effective work zone of 34” wide by 22” high by 32” deep. It is equipped with a direct-lift vertical door with a floor switch to activate. The cantilevered vertical door eliminates the need for the upright structure to reduce the overall height of the equipment.

Tom Schulz, sales manager at L&L, highlights the key role this will play for the heat treat department, saying that this type of furnace is the company's “workhorse when it comes to thermal processing.”

The inert blanketing gas enables the part to be heat-treated with minimal surface de-carb. A stack light indicates the furnace status via an audible and visual indicator light mounted on top of the control.

Additionally, the furnace is equipped with a pyrometry package that has reference control thermocouple ports along with corner locations to record the high and low points within the unit as indicated by the latest temperature uniformity survey.

The original press release from L&L Special Furnace is available upon request.

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