Enhance your understanding of the heat treating industry! This unique opportunity will give you the chance to network with fellow heat treaters and listen to how others are attacking industry specifications, addressing everyday problems, and looking to innovate in the future. There is a link to the sign up page below that you can click on and if you have any questions please contact Jordan Montgomery. ([email protected], 647-200-2000)
Some of the topics to be discussed will be:
- Carbon atmosphere basics and troubleshooting,
- Carbon probe basics and troubleshooting,
- PID control,
- Nitriding and FNC,
- TUS/SATs and AMS-2750 G,
- NDIR for atmosphere measurement.
Date: May 2nd, 2023
Starting Time: 8 AM
Location: 7385 E Danbro Crescent, Mississauga, ON L5N 6P8
Sign Up Link: Seminar Signup Page | Super Systems Inc
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Chain manufacturer and captive heat treater Allied Locke in Dixon, Illinois, USA has graced the pages of “The Monty Heat Treat News” several times in the past because of their substantial investments in their heat treat department. Another recent investment has been into their metallurgical lab headed up by Mr. Troy Greene, who is quite proud of what the company has achieved. So proud in fact that he sent us these pictures of his upgraded lab. Gord Montgomery of “The Monty Heat Treat News” will be visiting this facility in a few weeks and we look forward to giving you some first hand details about the company.
“FEBRUARY 20th 2023. In House Heat Treater Continues to Expand Heat Treat Department; Headquartered in Dixon, Illinois, USA Allied Locke is a manufacturer of chain and chain products. Founded in 1965 as Allied Chains the company has grown and prospered over the years and now has five divisions: Agricultural Chain, Precision Roller Chain, Industrial Chain, Sprockets, and Environmental Products. The primary manufacturing facility (Plant 1) in Dixon, IL covers nearly 675,000 square feet. Home – Allied-Locke Industries (alliedlocke.com)
The firm has always considered heat treating to be a “core competency” and to that end they have continued to invest and expand their heat treat department, to the point that it is becoming one of the larger captive heat treaters in the US. Currently Allied has 6 batch IQ furnaces, each 36″ X 72″ X 36″, 3 Can Eng mesh belt furnace lines and related equipment including endothermic generators. As we speak a 3rd Can Eng mesh belt line is being installed and plans include one more batch IQ line.
At the same time the company has recently installed what was described to us as an “amazing, new” metallurgical lab and is working towards CQI-9. So often heat treating is an afterthought in manufacturing firms and is relegated to that dark dirty area at the back of the plant. It makes our day at “The Monty Heat Treat News” to see that some companies rightfully understand the importance of heat treating-Allied Locke is certainly one of these.”
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The Honda “Anna Engine Plant” in Anna, Ohio is one of the largest engine builders and consequently one of the larger in-house heat treaters in North America. The company recently celebrated 35 years of production with this summary of where the plant has come from and where it is going. Of most interest to us in the heat treating department which consists of mainly smaller pusher furnace supplied by Japan based Dowa.
“ANNA — The Anna Engine Plant (AEP) opened in 1985 as a 200,000 square-foot facility with just 94 associates. Today, the 2.8 million square-foot facility is Honda’s largest engine plant in the world, with more than 60 production lines covering casting, machining, heat treating, and assembly operations, and is one of the industry’s most vertically integrated engine plants. The facility supplies engines and powertrain components for Honda and Acura products made in Ohio, Indiana, Alabama, Canada, Mexico, and other locations across the globe and has produced nearly 30 million engines over the past 35 years.
The company has submitted the following report:
Associates at Anna produced engines for four exciting new models in 2022, as well as a new Honda-first powerplant that will drive the company’s newest hybrid models. These models were manufactured at plants throughout North America and all were supported by the efforts of the hard-working teams at the Anna Engine Plant. The team introduced a newly refined hybrid engine that will help lead the company into its electrified era, as Honda has set the goal of having 100 percent of its sales come from electrified vehicles by 2040.
The all-new, 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine built at AEP is the first Honda engine to combine high-pressure direct-injection with multistage injection for an extremely homogeneous mixture that delivers clean combustion. Developed for use as part of Honda’s new hybrid powertrain, the new Atkinson-cycle engine was introduced in the 2023 CR-V hybrid, which is being built at Honda plants in Canada, Indiana and East Liberty, Ohio.
The sixth generation CR-V, which is the best-selling SUV of the last 25 years in the U.S., is already playing a key role in the Honda electrification strategy with CR-V hybrid-electric models positioned at the top of the lineup and expected to represent about 50% of annual CR-V sales.
In May, AEP built the turbocharged 1.5-liter VTEC engine producing 200 hp and 192 pound feet of torque for the Acura Integra, which marked the first factory Integra to feature a turbocharged engine. The powerplant went on to be named one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines for 2002 and played a major role in the Integra being named as the North American Car of the Year for 2023. Anna associates also worked very closely with their compatriots in Alabama to assist in the production of a new all-aluminum V6 engine for the 2023 Honda Pilot. The two sites collaborated on the assembly of the engines, with the blocks continuing to be cast by Anna associates. The team didn’t stop when the calendar flipped over, providing the turbocharged 1.5-liter gasoline engine and the 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle powerplant for the 2023 Accord and Accord hybrid respectively. The latest Accord model rolled off the assembly line in Marysville on Jan. 5.
The Anna Engine Plant has already started the process of manufacturing electrified products and components, as Honda expands hybrid and electric vehicle sales significantly in the coming years. While change is imminent, it is still in the formative stages, and Anna’s internal combustion engines continue to have a place in Honda’s current lineup. So as Honda changes, it’s logical that the role of our plants, and our associates, will need to change as well and our Anna leadership team will be prepared to support them as we make this transition.
From the onset of the pandemic, the company has been committed to keeping its associates safe at work, all while managing production and delivering high-quality products to a global customer base. This would not have been possible without the many talented associates at the plant who rose to the challenges and came together as one team to support the company.”
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“Solar Atmospheres of California (SCA) successfully installed a brand new 14 foot long car bottom Air Furnace with a total load capacity of up to 30,000 pounds. The furnace was surveyed in accordance with AMS2750 and is uniform within ±10°F (Class 2). The furnace has a working zone that is 60-inches square by 168 inches long and handles a workload up to 30,000 pounds. With a maximum operating temperature of 1450°F, this furnace accommodates not only the tempering of large tool steel components but also age hardening of 15-5 PH, 17-4 PH, 13-8PH and nickel-based alloys, and the annealing of Titanium Forgings.
Solar is typically known around the world as a “vacuum only” heat treater. However, there is a great need for heat treating non finished parts and materials in accordance with the same specifications (AMS, MIL, Boeing and Airbus) within different atmospheres where surface oxidation is permissible. This new 14 foot Air Furnace allows the “raw material customer” an option, while being more price competitive than with a vacuum environment. This new investment will only complement the vast array of vacuum furnaces that Solar operates every day.
Derek Dennis, President of Solar Atmospheres of California states, “Solar Atmospheres of California is excited to be adding this new furnace and the added capability/capacity. SCA’s customers have requested this additional capability and it’s our responsibility to meet their needs in supporting the valuable partnerships that we share.”
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“William Disler, President and CEO at AFC-Holcroft, has announced that he is stepping down from the company, effective March 30, 2023. As part of the departure news, the company also announced Tracy Dougherty and Ronald Waligora will share senior leadership responsibility for leading the company. Dougherty, formerly Vice President of Sales, has been named Chief Operating Officer for Sales, Applications, Marketing and Aftermarket Sales while Waligora, formerly Senior Engineering Manager, has been named Chief Operating Officer for Project Management, Engineering, Manufacturing and Field Services.
Disler said, “It has been an exciting and rewarding journey with AFC-Holcroft. It is hard to believe it started more than 35 years ago. Over the years I have had a chance to work with manyincredible people and have made many friends.” He added, “I have every confidence that the new leadership will continue to guide the company in a good direction. We have brought together a stellar team, and I feel good that I am leaving the company in such capable hands, and that this company will continue its long history of excellence into the future. I am very proud of AFC-Holcroft and the people that have always worked so hard to make it such a great company.”
Disler started his career at the Holcroft Company in 1987 as an electrical engineer newly graduated from Lawrence Technical University, where he currently sits on the Advisory Board of the College of Engineering. His career included extensive international involvement, including living in Asia for more than 2 years coordinating furnace co-builds with multiple customers. He began to transition his way into engineering and sales roles, such as Manager of Advanced Controls and Far East Operations Manager, with a growing emphasis on international business, which eventually led to his senior positions at AFC-Holcroft. He traveled throughout more than 25 countries around the world while supporting sales,
engineering, and manufacturing activities. After serving as the company’s Executive Vice President starting in 2005, he was named President and CEO of AFC-Holcroft in 2012. Christian Grosspointner, CEO of Aichelin Group said, “I would like to offer my appreciation to Bill for his dedication to AFC-Holcroft over so many years. And to the new management team, I wish you great success as you lead the company forward.”
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- Revenues up 20.8% to £743.6m (17.3% at constant currency)
- 10.1% underlying revenue growth excluding energy related surcharges of £44m
- Headline operating profit up 19% to £112.2m
- Closing net debt1 of £33.4m (2021: £51.9m)
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“Aalberts surface technologies – HIP | braze | heat treatment announces a significant expansion of its austempering capabilities and capacity in Canton, OH and Ft. Smith, AR. Three atmosphere-to-salt furnaces will be added at the existing facility in Canton, OH. This expands the number of austempering locations in the Aalberts surface technologies US footprint to four. Infrastructure will be engineered in Canton to allow for up to six austempering furnaces in the future. The expansion in Canton will allow Aalberts to better serve customers located in the eastern US and those with product flowing through the area. The austempering and marquenching equipment is anticipated to be online in Q4 2023.
The Aalberts surface technologies austempering facility in Ft. Smith, AR was started in 2018 to bring our industry leading capabilities to an underserved market. In response to growing demand in the region, additional capacity will be added at our Ft. Smith plant, with one furnace to be installed in Q3 2023 and another planned for Q4 2024. The added capacity will allow us to support our current customers’ growth plans as well as demand from new entrants into the fast growing austempered ductile iron market. Additionally, the expanded US footprint creates redundancy that provides customers greater flexibility, risk mitigation, and cost reduction opportunities.
“We are pleased to announce our latest investment in technology to add capacity that meets our customers’ growing demand in key markets. The added capacity allows us to maintain our high level of customer service and further strengthens our position as the market leader in austempering and marquenching,” says Steve Wyatt, President of Aalberts surface technologies – HIP | braze | heat treatment. Aalberts will always be where technology matters and real progress can be made.
About the process. Austempering and marquenching are technical heat treatments that quench iron and steel parts in molten nitrate-nitrite salt instead of more traditional quench media, creating a preferred crystal structure. Austempered iron and steel have improved mechanical properties (tensile, yield, and elongation) and higher toughness in comparison to traditional quench and temper processes. In addition to improved mechanical performance, austempering and marquenching of components results in substantially reduced distortion, often allowing for finish machining before heat treatment and a reduction in total cost.
About Aalberts surface technologies. Aalberts surface technologies – HIP | braze | heat treatment operates 17 facilities in the US and is part of the worldwide leading and globally positioned technology company Aalberts N.V. Aalberts is committed to adaptation and innovation with a clear focus on customers.”
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Thermet Inc., in Waukesha, WI, USA is in turn another commercial heat treater started in 1978 and again it is a company which only offers induction heat treating. Thermet, Inc. – Induction Harden, Heat Treating
Recently IHT acquired Thermet with the plan that it will remain a stand alone commercial heat treater. “The Monty Heat Treat News” is looking forward to visiting IHT in the next few weeks.
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Recently we have had several stories about chain manufacturer and captive heat treater Allied Locke in Dixon, Illinois, USA expanding their heat treat department. In a November 2022 posting we told how the company was installing a third mesh belt furnace line. These photos show the existing two lines, the third one being installed as well as a brand new rotary parts washer.
“NOVEMBER 13th 2022. In House Heat Treater Continues to Expand Heat Treat Department; Headquartered in Dixon, Illinois, USA Allied Locke is a manufacturer of chain and chain products. Founded in 1965 as Allied Chains the company has grown and prospered over the years and now has five divisions: Agricultural Chain, Precision Roller Chain, Industrial Chain, Sprockets, and Environmental Products. The primary manufacturing facility (Plant 1) in Dixon, IL covers nearly 675,000 square feet. Home – Allied-Locke Industries (alliedlocke.com)
The firm has always considered heat treating to be a “core competency” and to that end they have continued to invest and expand their heat treat department, to the point that it is becoming one of the larger captive heat treaters in the US. Currently Allied has 6 batch IQ furnaces, each 36″ X 72″ X 36″, 2 Can Eng mesh belt furnace lines and related equipment including endothermic generators. As we speak a 3rd Can Eng mesh belt line is being installed and plans include one more batch IQ line.
At the same time the company has recently installed what was described to us as an “amazing, new” metallurgical lab and is working towards CQI-9. So often heat treating is an afterthought in manufacturing firms and is relegated to that dark dirty area at the back of the plant. It makes our day at “The Monty Heat Treat News” to see that some companies rightfully understand the importance of heat treating-Allied Locke is certainly one of these.”
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Pecatonica, ILLINOIS (March 15, 2023) – Ipsen in Pecatonica, Illinois (formerly Ipsen Ceramics) is being repurposed for vacuum furnace hot zone assembly. The plant is currently undergoing major refurbishments, including new lighting, HVAC, roofing, and other interior and exterior upgrades.
The factory, located at 325 John Street, is less than 30 miles from Ipsen’s Vacuum Technology Excellence Center in Cherry Valley and will initially employ up to eight material assemblers. Incorporating the Pecatonica location into Ipsen’s vacuum furnace production and aftermarket process will provide added benefits to customers.
“Our goal is to reduce delivery times and better control the critical phase of assembly,” said Jake Hamid, Ipsen’s Director and Chief Operating Officer. In the future, Ipsen is considering other manufacturing activities in Pecatonica to supplement the needs of the Vacuum Technology Excellence Center. Ipsen is now hiring material assemblers. Benefits include 401k with company match, medical, dental and paid vacation time. To view open positions, visit ipsenglobal.com/careers.
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