Solar Atmospheres in Souderton, PA, has commissioned two additional 2-bar vacuum furnaces, expanding its capabilities to meet demand in the aerospace and industrial gas turbine sectors. The equipment will allow the company to specialize in hydride/de-hydride processing of titanium, tantalum and niobium.
Mike Moyer Vice President of Sales Solar Atmospheres Souderton
These vacuum furnaces, produced by the heat treater’s sister company, Solar Manufacturing, feature large working hot zones (45” x 45” x 72”) and are rated for operations up to 2400°F with a precise temperature uniformity of ±10°F.
“We’re thrilled to add these advanced furnaces to Solar Souderton’s lineup,” said Mike Moyer, vice president of sales, at Solar Atmospheres. “Equipped with Solar Manufacturing’s latest control systems, they ensure efficient, safe operation — meeting our customers’ needs for competitive pricing and fast delivery. This installation reinforces our commitment to consistently high-quality service.”
More Solar Atmospheres News…
Robert Hill, FASM President Solar Atmospheres of Western PA
Solar Atmospheres of Michigan, Inc., announced the completion of its 20,000 square-foot facility expansion, marked by the official receipt of an occupancy permit from Chesterfield Township.
“Next week, we’ll begin the process of moving our Shipping and Receiving Department, along with other essential ancillary equipment, into the newly completed adjoining building,” said Bob Hill, president of Solar Atmospheres of Michigan. “This expansion is a vital step forward, enabling us to optimize workflow, boost production capacity, and further improve the quality of our vacuum heat treating services for our valued clients.”
The expanded facility will allow Solar Atmospheres of Michigan to streamline operations and meet growing customer demands from various industries.
The press releases are available in their original forms here and here.
Retech, which provides advanced technologies for melting and refining reactive and refractory metals, has acquired ReMelt Scientific, broadening the capabilities for the vacuum and aluminum melting divisions of the SECO/WARWICK company. The two companies have been working alongside one another for decades on a less formal basis offering consulting, collaborating and subcontracting services. This acquisition formalizes that partnership.
Earl Good Managing Director Retech
ReMelt Scientific, based in Canton, Ohio, specializes in material handling and waste processing equipment for ultra-pure remelt of recycled tailings, scrap, and revert. This acquisition brings an advanced technology experience under one umbrella for clients of Retech’s innovative vacuum metallurgy solutions.
“I think ReMelt is a valuable acquisition and it seems to fit well with the Retech portfolio and the SECO/WARWICK Group business overall,” said Earl Good, managing director of Retech.
Sławomir Woźniak President & CEO SECO/WARWICK Group
The acquisition will allow the SECO subsidiary to offer more comprehensive solutions in the vacuum metallurgy segment. Vacuum metallurgy, which involves the melting and refining of metals in a controlled atmosphere, is critical for producing high-purity metals and alloys used in various high-tech applications. Aluminum melting is a complex process that requires precise control and advanced technology to ensure the production of high-quality aluminum products. ReMelt’s knowledge in aluminum waste processing and material handling will enable its new parent company to offer state-of-the-art aluminum melting solutions that meet the industry’s stringent demands.
“While ReMelt will join the Retech division, they really are an asset to the whole Group and our worldwide operations as a whole”, said Sławomir Woźniak, CEO of SECO/WARWICK Group.
The press release is available in its original form here.
The ECM Group, a provider of solutions and services for industrial heat treatment companies with a subsidiary based in North America, recently acquired Vacuum Service & Maintenance (Vacuum SM), an Italian company which specializes in the maintenance of industrial furnaces for vacuum heat treatment. This acquisition will enable the company to consolidate its European presence and improve its responsiveness by being closer to its client base.
Vacuum SM anticipates the benefit of support from ECM Group while keeping its independence under the management of Roberto Bartoli, Andrea Cantarini, and Lorenzo Tirloni. The company will begin training on the products of ECM Technologies, the Grenoble-based Group’s main subsidiary.
The press release is available in its original form here.
A U.S. military firearms manufacturer announced its plan to update its in-house stress relieving operation with a new vacuum retort furnace. The new equipment will be replacing an outdated vacuum stress relieving furnace in order to keep up with production demands.
Piotr Zawistowski Managing Director SECO/VACUUM Source: SECO/VACUUM
The SECO/VACUUM retort furnace will be used to stress relieve firearms components at 1400°F (760°C). At this relatively low temperature, the process is used to prevent subsequent part distortion while enhancing the quality of the firearms.
“Their old furnace was showing its age,” said Piotr Zawistowski, managing director of SECO/VACUUM, USA. “Once we showed them the control system advancements, the cycle time improvements, and the more competitive lead time we could offer, the upgrade really made sense from both a quality control and production pace standpoint.”
Switching from the vertical configuration of the old furnace to the new horizontally configured furnace will shorten loading times. The turbo-cooling option selected by the firearms manufacturer decreases the cooling cycle from 3.5 hours to 1.5 hours. Improved loading paired with shorter cooling will bring total heat treat cycle times down by as much as 2.5 hours.
The press release is available in its original form here.
A major ship builder has acquired a vacuum furnace for the Additive Manufacturing Division at the company’s new Manufacturing Center of Excellence. The single chamber vacuum furnace will be used primarily for annealing powder metal 3D printed parts, with additional capabilities for on-demand tool hardening applications.
Piotr Zawistowski Managing Director SECO/VACUUM Source: SECO/VACUUM
The 3D printing shop and annealing furnace supplied by SECO/VACUUM will enable rapid fabrication of critical replacement parts faster than traditional manufacturing methods, allowing the manufacturer to get ships out of dock and back underway sooner. The Vector furnace is equipped with a 36 x 36 x 48 inch metal hot-zone, a high-vacuum diffusion pump, and a 6-Bar high-pressure argon and nitrogen gas quench.
“To get their 3D operation up and running quickly, we were able to pull off some clever production schedule juggling in order to accommodate their special request for an accelerated delivery schedule,” said Piotr Zawistowski, managing director of SECO/VACUUM.
This vacuum furnace provides a wide range of additional processes, including hardening, tempering, solution heat treating, brazing and sintering, and low-pressure carburizing. Vector produces clean, uniform, high-quality parts with repeatable accuracy and no oxidation.
The press release is available in its original form here.
A major North American aerospace manufacturer has placed an order for a seventh vacuum furnace to expand capacity. This furnace is specifically designed for the heat treatment of high-performance engine components and is built to support rigorous production schedules.
Mark Hemsath President Nitrex Turnkey Systems
The vertical, large-precision vacuum furnace, built by G-M Enterprises, a Nitrex Vacuum company, is engineered to meet the aerospace company’s growing production needs and its demand for critical engine components. Six VVF series vacuum furnaces have previously been installed for the manufacturer to produce aircraft engine parts across a range of aerospace applications. The latest furnace order includes a 60” x 60” (1,524 mm x 1,524 mm) chamber with bottom loading, capable of handling loads up to 3,000 lbs (1,360 kg).
“The customer’s decision to expand with Nitrex reflects G-M Enterprises’ proven track record in furnace reliability,” said Mark Hemsath, president of Nitrex Turnkey Systems. “Our commitment to quality has anchored this partnership for over three decades.”
Jay Jefsen Regional Sales Manager Nitrex Vacuum
“Our long-standing relationship with this aerospace customer underscores Nitrex’s commitment to providing durable equipment backed by robust technical support,” said Jay Jefsen, regional sales manager for Nitrex Vacuum. “We are proud to contribute to their ongoing success and look forward to supporting their production goals with this latest addition.”
The furnace is scheduled for commissioning in April 2025.
The press release is available in its original form here.
Today’s News from Abroad installment is all about growth in the global heat treating market. A heat treater expands its contract machinery product line with brazing and sintering capabilities, a capital goods manufacturing group bolsters its vacuum heat treatment production capabilities, and a long-term technology alliance results in manufacturing growth of refractory products for glass melting plants in the glass industry. To round out our news from abroad, Japanese steel giants set their sights on government funding allocated to advance research and development in decarbonizing operations.
Heat TreatTodaypartners with two international publications to deliver the latest news, tech tips, and cutting-edge articles that will serve our audience — manufacturers with in-house heat treat.heat processing, a Vulkan-Verlag GmbHapublication, serves mostly the European and Asian heat treat markets, and Furnaces International, a Quartz Business Mediapublication, primarily serves the English-speaking globe.
Merger Results in Heat Treatment Furnaces Manufacturing Division
ECM Group reorganizing into four distinct divisions
“The ECM Group is reinforcing its capital goods manufacturing business by bringing together several legal entities under the company ECM Technologies. This merger between ECM Technologies, ECM Greentech, and ECM Technologies Villard Bonnot creates a division dedicated to the manufacturing of innovative heat treatment furnaces. The aim of this merger is to better serve its customers and respond more effectively to market changes. It will enable the ECM Group to build up a veritable hub of skills and knowledge around its core areas of thermal engineering, gas management and atmospheres. This marks a first step towards realizing its ambition of becoming the world leader in vacuum heat treatment equipment, all technologies combined.”
Japanese Steel Giants Pursue Government Allocated Green Funding
Japanese steel producers apply for government green subsidy
“Two of the largest integrated steel producers in Japan, Nippon Steel and JFE Steel, have applied for government funding allocated through the new Green Transformation Promotion Act (GX) to advance research and development in decarbonizing operations. JFE Steel is seeking funds to build a new large electric arc furnace (EAF) to replace blast furnace No. 2 at West Japan Works (Kurashiki). The company expects the EAF to be commissioned between 2027-2028. Blast Furnace No. 2 at the plant underwent a re-lining in 2003. JFE usually performs such maintenance after about 25 years of operation, so the next one is due in 2028. However, JFE Steel hopes that the new electric arc furnace will be operational by then, so the unit can be shut down. West Japan Works currently operates three blast furnaces with a steel output of about 8Mt/yr.”
Tresky Automation expands its machine park for contract manufacturing (Source: Tresky)
“Tresky Automation announces the latest addition to its contract manufacturing machinery. Customers will now benefit from a state-of-the-art vacuum brazing furnace and a powerful sintering press with a maximum pressing force of up to 15 kN. The new equipment enables Tresky to offer additional manufacturing technologies, which is particularly beneficial for demanding applications in the fields of photonics, optoelectronics, hybrid bonding, microelectronics and power electronics. The new vacuum brazing furnace offers the possibility to produce material bonding under controlled conditions with nitrogen (N2) or formic acid (HCOOH). This process effectively reduces voids, as the vacuum allows air or process residues to escape during the preheating and melting phase of the solder. The result is virtually void- and flux-free solder joints that are characterized by high reliability.”
Technology Alliance Enables Growth in Refractory Products Manufacturing
Long-term technology alliance of RATH and REFRATECHNIK
“RATH and REFRATECHNIK announced the launch of a long-term technology alliance. The goal of the ambitious partnership is close collaboration in the development and manufacture of refractory products for glass melting plants in the glass industry. As part of the technology alliance, both companies will contribute their respective know-how in glass manufacturing and refractory production to combine it into a unique technology solution. The two companies will be operating under the name ‘R² – THE GLASS FURNACE ALLIANCE.’ The alliance enables RATH to expand its technological expertise, as products manufactured by REFRATECHNIK will be developed in close collaboration with the research and development departments of both companies.”
A heat treater with surface hardening capabilities recently expanded its operational line with a vacuum furnace. The new equipment offers a working space of 35.5 x 35.5 x 47 in (900 x 900 x 1200 mm), enabling the processing of larger elements.
This is the 14th vacuum furnace that SECO/WARWICK has provided to Aalberts surface technologies Group, which specializes in vacuum heat treatment, vacuum brazing, hardening of stainless steels, and coating systems for industry. It is the seventh Vector vacuum furnace to be installed at this location in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. It is equipped with high-pressure hardening of 15 bar abs., the option of installing liquid nitrogen, convection heating, directional cooling, and isothermal quenching.
“The solution design is based on the standard VP vacuum furnace Vector type solution. Vector has a round heating chamber and an efficient cooling system,” said Grzegorz Głuchowski, sales manager at SECO/WARWICK. “The additional option of installing liquid nitrogen allows for the load faster cooling after the hardening process. This translates into the furnace’s greater efficiency.”
“This will be the seventh SECO/WARWICK solution operating in Eindhoven. This time, delivery time was key. The solution we ordered is quite specific. We have specific requirements, which are the result of over 80 years of industry experience. The Vector vacuum furnace’s design from the customer’s perspective is very well thought out, as it allows for modifications and additional options. It is one of the most flexible metal heat treatment furnaces on the market,” said Steffen Schneiders, managing director of “The Netherlands & Nordic” from Aalberts surface technologies.
The press release is available in its original form here.
A semiconductor industry supplier recently ordered an extra-large 2-bar vacuum furnace specific to the company’s high-temperature process. The new addition will increase the supplier’s capabilities to meet demand from industry sectors.
Piotr Zawistowski Managing Director SECO/VACUUM Source: SECO/VACUUM
The 2-bar vacuum furnace designed by SECO/VACUUMwill be shipped more quickly than other options.
“Not every thermal process calls for a solution that falls neatly into one of our traditional furnace categories. This one is oversized, has a hot-zone equipped for unconventional features, and will serve an application with different process considerations than most of our furnaces,” said Piotr Zawistowski, managing director of SECO/VACUUM.
The press release is available in its original form here.
Sandia National Laboratories has acquired two horizontal vacuum furnaces for one of its production labs in Albuquerque, NM. The furnaces will meet the multimission laboratory’s goal to maintain process parameters and datalogging essential for analysis to coincide with the process payload run results. The facility’s applications target roughly 70 industry sectors, including nuclear deterrence, arms control, nonproliferation, hazardous waste disposal, and climate change.
In the tandem system designed and set up by AVS Incorporated, one furnace operates at a maximum of 1600°C (2912°F) and the other at 1300°C (2372°F). Both have a 100-lb load capacity. The systems integrate wet and dry hydrogen process gas along with all refractory metal hot zones. The HMI interface and controls allow for countless combinations of recipes and selectable functions.
