We mention them today as their Livonia facility has just announced the addition of a new gas nitrider at their Livonia, Michigan, USA location-read on for the details;
“Aalberts surface technologies has added another gas nitriding furnace. Now, in addition to Greenville, SC, we have a gas nitrider in our Livonia, MI location with capabilities for Nitriding, Ferritic Nitro Carburizing (FNC), Tempering, and Stress Relieving.
This new furnace is compliant to AMS 2750F, AMS 2759/10, and 2759/12 requirements. It also features pre and post oxidation control and has an ammonia dissociator for zero white layer control. This furnace includes the latest technology for automatic atmosphere control and electronic process gas flow control.”
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From a regular reader in the Turkish heat treat market about commercial heat treater “DÖNÜŞÜM ISIL İŞLEM”, one of the larger in the country;
Dönüşüm Isıl İşlem, based in Kocaeli,has one of the most qualified heat treatment facilities in Turkey,which has continued its activities both domestically and internationally since 2010.
Heat treatment is generally performed for tool and die steels, stainless steels, and special metals. In this way, it cooperates directly and indirectly with many sectors such as automotive, aviation, plastic, glass, defense, mining, medical, and energy industries. Also, there is a steel service department called Dönüşüm Metal which supplies tool & mold steel, stainless steel, and special alloys, both department works coordinately. Dönüşüm Metal ve Isıl İşlem is the first company in Turkey to provide steel and heat treatment services together.
In the heat treatment facility, there are 9 vacuum heat treatment furnaces of BMI, SHMETZ, and IPSEN with different processing and weight capacities. Due to these furnaces, can provide special cooling rates at various pressures for a different analysis of materials. The heat treatment abilities are following that:
Quenching and Tempering
Gas Nitridation
Vacuum Nitridation
Gas Carburizing
Oil Carburizing under Vacuum
Normalization
Recrystallization
Cryogenic
The properties of metals and alloys in engineering applications vary depending on the atomic, crystalline, and microstructure ofthe materials. The microstructure in equilibrium can be predicted by looking at the equilibrium diagrams of metals or alloys. In practical terms, the mechanical properties can be changed as desired by various heat treatments. These heat treatment processes involve raising a metal or alloy to a certain temperature, holding it at that temperature for the required time, and finally cooling it from that temperature. If necessary, this solid-state process can be repeated multiple times. In short, the heat treatment process is the name given to the heating and cooling operations performed to obtain the desired mechanical properties of metals or alloys. The following changes can occur in the properties of metal alloys by heat treatment:
The sky is the limit for Dönüşüm Isıl İşlem,as it continues its investments to improve its abilities. In addition, it provides engineering services to its business partners by developing special processes with its experienced and dynamic engineering staff.
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Mr. John Levensky has spent most of his working life in sales positions in the commercial heat treat industry in the western US. Just recently he became Business Development Manager at Heat Treatment Australia in Los Angeles. Heat Treatment Australia (HTA) is the largest commercial heat treater in Australia and also has one facility in in Los Angeles. HTA was recently mentioned by “The Monty Heat Treat News” when they installed a new Ion Nitriding system https://themonty.com/hta-brisbane-announces-launch-of-australias-first-rubig-plasma-nitriding-service/
Eduardo Machado was recently appointed General Manager of Nitrion do Brasil Ltda., in Feliz, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Eduardo has worked with a number of heat treaters in Brazil over the years including Uddeholm and Bodycote (Bodycote exited Brazil a number of years ago). Nitrion do Brazil was originally part of Nitrion in Munich, Germany but the two companies seperated a number of years ago when Bodycote bought the facility in Germany. Nitrion do Brazil has the largest nitriding capacity of any commercial heat treater in the country and was mentioned on “The Monty Heat Treat News” when they installed two KGO nitriding systems last year.
Mr. Bill Davis of Bodycote/Lake City Heat Treating in Warsaw, Indiana, USA recently retired. Bill was President and owner of commercial heat treater Lake City Heat Treating in Warsaw, Indiana a firm which was acquired by heat treating giant Bodycote January 19 of this year. “Lake Armida Oradeiis a medical market provider of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and vacuum heat treatment services, primarily supplying the orthopedic implant market as well as civil aerospace. Lake City Heat Treating is forecast to have achieved 2023 full year revenues of about $14 million.” https://lakecityheattreating.com/
Ms. Armida Oradei has parted ways with American Heat Treating in Monroe, CT, USA. Armida was General Manager of the company for the past 7 years after having worked with heat treating firms in both Italy and the USA. During her time at American Heat-Treating, Armida made a number of large investments in additional equipment including a Beavermatic Batch IQ line. More information about American Heat Treating can be found at https://americanheattreating.com/
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Commercial heat-treating giant Bodycote is pretty pleased to launch their new Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) facility in Greenville, SC, USA. “The Monty Heat Treat News” has been fortunate enough to visit this facility several times over the years including in 2023 and it has been fascinating to watch how it has changed.
Originally this facility was part of the “Carolina Commercial” heat treat group before being acquired by Bodycote a number of years ago. What was at one time a fairly average commercial heat-treating plant with batch IQ and continuous furnaces has evolved into a clean, upgraded and expanded plant with 2 HIP systems and several vacuum furnaces in addition to some of the older furnaces. All in all, a fully equipped Additive Manufacturing plant of which the company can be proud.
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From furnace builder SECO/WARWICK we have this report about how their various divisions in North America are doing these days. According to this report from the company they are doing pretty darn well-thanks for asking.
“SECO/WARWICK USA., the Group’s North American Thermal, CAB, and Aluminum processing equipment & service division and original anchor in Meadville, Pennsylvania. In the two years since, the company expand local manufacturing capabilities and alliances to pivot faster and more efficiently to the needs of the North American market. This includes adding in-house assembly space currently under contract, as well as forging ties with local and regional contract manufacturers in order to diversify their supply chain and offer greater choice to customers.
In April of 2024 SECO/WARWICK USA opened a sales office in Monterey, Mexico. The Mexico office will also have its own aftermarket segment, taking on aftermarket support for customers throughout Latin-America.
“We’ve always had furnaces and heat treat Partners to support, from Mexico down to Chile. That demand has grown to the point that it is time to open a base of operations dedicated to that market,” – says Sławomir Woźniak, SECO/WARWICK Group’s CEO.
SECO/VACUUM, also in Meadville, recognizing that vacuum processes were growing to dominate the heat-treating industry, it made sense to offer those customers more specialized support for the unique demands of vacuum processing.
To meet those demands, and to take advantage of local redevelopment efforts in Meadville, SECO/VACUUM moved into a recently refurbished space, joined shortly thereafter by SECO/WARWICK USA, in a revived Meadville factory space where they both have more room to expand and more convenient opportunity for collaboration between the two business units.
Supported by investment from SECO/WARWICK Group, SECO/VACUUM is in the process of upfitting their new larger space to house their newly reshored manufacturing capacity for select products, beginning with their signature single-chamber vacuum furnace, the Vector, as well as more space for new and aftermarket control panel assembly, and more warehouse space housing their extensive stock of spare parts.
Beyond growing their manufacturing footprint, SECO/VACUUM has also been increasing their staff. New sales manager Eric Gisonno brings extensive experience in thermal processing at both the production level and at the cutting-edge research level. Marc DeBruyne, hired last year, manages process development customer support by performing proof-of-concept trial runs of potential partners’ product samples before they commission a new furnace.
All the planning, investment, and staffing has paid off, garnering an impressive list of new orders, exceeding 60% of their annual sales forecast in just the first quarter alone!
Retech, the Group’s business unit for vacuum melting equipment, has also experienced impressive growth. The company celebrated their 60th anniversary just last summer. Now located in Buffalo, NY under the guidance of Managing Director Earl Good, they have already outgrown their Northland facility and have opened a second Buffalo location, with the last of the major renovations to be completed early this summer with the installation of the largest of their bridge cranes, with a 20 ton capacity and a 45 foot hook clearance.
Funding this expansion in part is a $10 Million investment, made possible due to a subsidized stimulus loan from an award to the parent company, SECO/WARWICK Group, out of the Foreign Expansion Fund 2 FIZ AN managed by PFR TFI, which offers Poland-based companies co-financing of their foreign investment projects through financial instruments tailored to the scale of the project and the capabilities and needs of the Polish investor.
As with the Meadville divisions, the support from SECO/WARWICK Group shows demonstrable returns in the form of record high sales and revenue performance across the Retech product portfolio, along with recent R&D achievements that favorably position Retech to meet growing industry demand for advanced metals for years to come.
The most prominent of these achievements, new advancements in Plasma Gas Atomizing from Retech’s Director of Powder Metals and Product Development, Aamir Abid, PhD, are already enabling the development and production of exciting new materials not possible under previously existing technology, and greatly reducing the cost of high-volume production for high-demand products like titanium powder.
Beyond the SECO/WARWICK Group and the metallurgy community, the wider business community has taken notice as well. Retech collected the Manufacturing Award for Operational Excellence in Western New York. The award recognizes businesses that support the economic health and vitality of the western New York regional community.
In recognition of his team, Earl said “It is really quite amazing that we won such an award, as we have only been doing manufacturing in Buffalo for approximately three years. Major credit to the awesome team at Retech who have worked hard to make this happen. It takes everyone working together to accomplish good things.”
Sławomir Woźniak concludes “Together, our three US divisions accounted for 37% of the SECO/WARWICK Group’s global sales last year. If they can perform like this while under renovation, I can’t wait to see what they can do once all the upfitting is complete. It is a compelling indicator of the value of investing in our people, giving them the tools and facilities that support their success, and by extension supporting the success of our partners in thermal processing.”
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Barnes Group based in Bristol, CT, USA is a global industrial technology and aerospace manufacturer and service provider whose facilities around the world quite often include in house heat treatment departments. It would appear from this note that Barnes is in the process of adding a state of the art heat treatment facility at their Strömsholmen, Sweden location.
“At Barnes Strömsholmen, we produce and market gas springs and gas hydraulic systems for press tools, balancing springs for robot arms and vehicle suspension for heavy off-road vehicles. The products and systems are designed for optimal performance in industrial equipment, automation, medicine, white goods, plumbing, automotive, aviation and defense. We are part of the Motion Control Solutions business area within Barnes Group Inc. (NYSE:B). More information is available at onebarnes.com“
The new installation will consist of several nitriding units provided by global furnace builder Ipsen with the entire process being highly automated. Acceptance is expected shortly; “The construction of our new state-of-the-art surface treatment equipment is proceeding according to plan. The pictures show two of the furnace cells with the rail-controlled automation in front. This investment will further increase our production efficiency and quality. We are looking forward to the first round of testing that is fast approaching and are excited to see how the system performs in real life, said a spokesman at the Strömsholmen facility. “
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“In today’s automotive industry, where innovation and sustainability drive the future of the supply chain, a leading Chinese gear manufacturer stands at the forefront. Recently, this customer expanded its operations by integrating a fourth Nitrex nitriding furnace into its automated gear production. This strategic move positions the manufacturer to meet the industry’s growing demands while upholding its commitment to gear excellence.
The Chinese gear producer serves local automotive OEMs and is also an important global exporter. The latest turnkey system not only meets current market demand but also provides capacity for future growth. From transmission gears to transfer case gears, synchronizers, and engine-gear rings, the focus is on leveraging advanced technology to streamline operations and continuously improve gear quality, durability, and reliability.
At the heart of the new system lies Nitreg® nitriding technology, which enhances the metallurgical properties of gears, ensuring structural integrity, dimensional stability, and long-term performance. Featuring an NXHL-910512 system, this front-loading batch model supports high-volume, fully automated production. This setup allows for a high degree of precision and production efficiency, optimizing resource sustainability by minimizing waste and maximizing output.
Tao Liu, Sales Manager at Nitrex China, explained the strategic significance of this investment: “This expansion goes beyond capacity enhancement; it elevates the manufacturer’s in-house capabilities and tightens production controls. It allows the company to focus resources on driving innovation and sustainability across domestic and international vehicle markets, including the growing new energy vehicle (NEV) sector.”
“This latest installation underscores our customer’s dedication to producing high-quality, high-performance gears while prioritizing environmental responsibility. This commitment aligns with Nitrex’s mission of empowering manufacturers to achieve operational excellence and meet the evolving demands of the automotive industry,” remarked Nikola Dzepina.
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For our many German readers this makes for interesting reading. The Industrieverband Härtetechnik (IHT) is a very well respected organization serving the German heat treatment industry. According to this press release Mr. Uwe Schmelzing will be appointed as the new chairman at IHT’s annual general meeting this September. Uwe has had a very distinguished career in the heat treat industry having worked with commercial heat treater Härterei Hauck (now Aalberts). “The Monty” worked with Uwe many years ago and we have always had a high opinion of the man. We dug through our archived photos and came up with this one from October of 2023 taken at the HT23 exhibition. Uwe is on the right and Jordan Montgomery is on his right.
“We are proud to announce that the board of the IHT elected our technical director Uwe Schmelzing as new chairman at this year’s annual general meeting in Dresden. On September 1st, 2024, Uwe Schmelzing will succeed Peter Keller, who is going into well-deserved retirement.
We congratulate Uwe on his election; he is already the third chairman from the ranks of Aalberts. After the chairmen Karl-Heinz Horz (founding chairman) and Rolf S. Wamhser, at that time still under the old company name Härterei Hauck, Uwe Schmelzing will endeavour to successfully continue the tradition from the Aalberts companies.
The Industrieverband Härtetechnik (IHT) is integrated into the general representation of interests of the German industry and uses the advantages of an intelligent division of labour within the network. The partners of this network are the BDI (Bundesverband der deutschen Industrie e.V.) and the WSM (Wirtschaftsverband Stahl- und Metallverarbeitung e.V.).”
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The link below will take you to the July 2024 digital edition of “The Monty Heat Treat News” for over 30 years the world’s largest source of heat treat industry news. Some stories we in this edition include these;
“The Monty” speaks with the voice of “The Heat Treat Podcast”., Mr. Carlos Torres of furnace builder MATTSA himself
We regret to mention the passing of Mr. Norm Sousa of commercial heat treater “The Sousa Corp.”
Vacuum furnace builder reports record sales
USA Chain manufacturer continues to expand heat treat department
Carburizing of Large Gears-Fascinating photos of 40,000 pound gears being heat treated
“The Heat Treat Podcast” talks Boronizing with Mr. Craig Zimmerman of Bluewater Thermal
In addition to 90 pages of heat treat industry news and trends make sure to talk to “The Monty” about your surplus heat treating equipment-we have one of the largest listings of top quality surplus furnaces in the industry.
As always “The Monty Heat Treat News” looks forward to your thoughts and comments. Sincerely, Gord, Jordan, Dale, Anne and Charlene.
“Lindberg/MPH, a leading manufacturer of heat-treat furnaces, is pleased to announce the shipment of a rod overbend box furnace with an automated load transfer table to the aerospace industry. This furnace will heat-treat parts under an inert atmosphere. This heat-treating furnace has a maximum temperature rating of 2,000°F and a load capacity of 6,000 lbs. It features an impressive workspace of 36” W x 96” D x 36” H and is designed for 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.”
“This furnace is designed to heat treat up to 6,000 lbs under a nitrogen atmosphere. The automated load table is customized to accelerate cooling when the part trays are unloaded.”
– Ken Constant, Heat Treating Product Manager
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