Port Huron, Michigan, USA is home to one of four global commercial heat treat facilities owned and operated by AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group of the Netherlands. AMG is a worldwide company with approximately 3,000 employees but our interest in the company is focused primarily on the heat treating division. ALD HT headquarters are located in Hanau, Germany from where it oversees the four heat treatment facilities; ALD TT, Port Huron, MI, USA, ALD TT Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, ALD Vacuheat, Limbach-Oberfrohna, Germany and ALD HTS, Suzhou, China which opened September, 2021.
Recently “The Monty Heat Treat News” had the opportunity to visit the Port Huron plant-the first visit since 2019 and we saw a number of changes. This facility was established in 2006 and currently has 4 ModulTherm systems (manufactured by an ALD sister division) with a total of 24 treatment chambers, 2 Dual chamber furnaces and a fairly recent addition, 3 nitriding furnaces. With this equipment the company can offer vacuum carburizing (long the mainstay of this location), tempering, gas nitriding, ferritic nitro carburizing (FNC) and another new addition Cryogenic heat treating. With over 50 employees the company can heat treat up to 60-70 tons/day of transmission components.
Being in Michigan, the automotive capital of the world, ALD has always been almost exclusively automotive based, automotive transmission based would be a more apt description. While they will continue to concentrate on the auto market in the future the company under the direction of Jim Muenzenberger, Sr. Vice President, America’s is looking at widening the customer and product base and the results are apparent. Our visit showed two new processes, cryogenic treatment and 3 new nitriding systems which will compliment the firm’s vacuum carburizing expertise. Already you can see the results in the form of a number of new customer parts.
Our hosts for the tour were Jim Muenzenberger and Ms. Kelly Peters, Vice President Operations both of whom very proudly pointed out that ALD TT has received the “General Motors Supplier Quality Excellence Award” for many years running. In addition they also pointed out that ALD has now processed over 1 billion parts with 0 field ppm’s. A tour through this 85,000 square foot facility will clearly show guests that yes this company deserves to be one of the 50 largest commercial heat treaters in North America.
Did you like this article? Click here to subscribe to The Monty.
View our recent magazines and podcasts by clicking the following link. https://themonty.com/magazine/
Jim Muenzenberger, Kelly Peters
Jim Muenzenberger, Kelly Peters, Ron Smith
Gord Montgomery, Kelly Peters
Since 1999 “The Monty” has been publishing annually a list of the largest commercial heat treaters in North America based upon annual sales, our 2021 list can be found at https://themonty.com/articles/50-largest-north-american-commercial-heat-treats-2021-2/ This year readers will see we became much more ambitious and expanded the list to the 50 largest. In our 7th spot we have Braddock Metallurgical.
Braddock Metallurgical. Family owned Braddock Metallurgical was founded in 1953 by William Braddock. The company has eight production facilities mainly in the US Southeast, however the company also has a location in NJ and Puerto Rico. Braddock is a full service heat treater in that they offer virtually every process available. We are quite confident saying that they are the third largest family owned commercial heat treater in North America.
Did you like this article? Click here to subscribe to The Monty.
View our recent magazines and podcasts by clicking the following link. https://themonty.com/magazine/
Williams joins the AHT team with over 20 years of experience in heat treatment, quality and operations, serving most recently as a plant manager for another heat treater in Alabama.
AHT President Mikel Woods commented, “With Chris’s background, he will hit the ground running. He has a great personality and will connect immediately with our customers and employees. We are excited about the growth and new opportunities he’ll help us achieve.”
Williams will be based in Cullman, Alabama. The AHT facility in Cullman offers ion (plasma) and gas nitriding, ferritic nitrocarburizing, UltraOx®, stress relieve and more. This summer it will also be announcing an additional heat treat service.
“I am excited to work for Advanced Heat Treat Corp., a company that is family–oriented and promotes a positive work–life balance.” Williams added, “The technical expertise at AHT is unmatched in the thermal processing industry and I am pleased to be part of the team.”
Did you like this article? Click here to subscribe to The Monty.
View our recent magazines and podcasts by clicking the following link. https://themonty.com/magazine/
Recently we mentioned how Italian furnace builder TAV received an order for what is the largest vertical vacuum furnace the company has ever built. Our original news item is below and included is a photo showing working starting on the vessel. As a follow up to this story we can now add that the furnace is almost completed and can be seen in this photo.
Did you like this article? Click here to subscribe to The Monty.
View our recent magazines and podcasts by clicking the following link. https://themonty.com/magazine/
In North America the most common brand of Batch IQ (Batch Integral Quench) furnace is without a doubt the Surface Combustion “Allcase” line of furnaces. Introduced in 1951 the “Allcase” furnace originally had working dimensions of 24″ x 36″ X 24″-over the years the company has added a number of different sized units ranging up to 36″ X 72″ X 36″ with the “Super 36″ style with working dimensions of 36″ X 48″ X 36” probably the most common. So how many are out there now? Surface claims over 3,000 installations worldwide which is one heck of a lot of furnaces. Incidentally while there are more Surface Batch IQ furnaces installed in North America than any other brand our bet would be that globally furnace builder Ipsen has produced more batch IQ furnaces than any other company.
Did you like this article? Click here to subscribe to The Monty.
View our recent magazines and podcasts by clicking the following link. https://themonty.com/magazine/
Specialty Steel Treating, founded 1956, has been performing precision heat treating for more than 60 years. Since our inception, SST has always put quality and customer service at the forefront of our business philosophy. SST services numerous industries, ranging from but not limited to: Aerospace (military, commercial aircraft, space shuttle), Automotive & Truck, Industrial Bearing, Heavy Equipment and Tool & die. Specialty has facilities in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Fraser, Michigan and East Granby, Connecticut.
Did you like this article? Click here to subscribe to The Monty.
View our recent magazines and podcasts by clicking the following link. https://themonty.com/magazine/
“L&L Special Furnace Co., Inc. has received an order for two atmosphere controlled retort box furnaces used for de-bindering ceramic composite matrix parts, (CMC) along with powder medals processing (PM) and hot isostatic processing (HIP).
Initially CMC and other ceramic matrix components and additive manufactured parts were developed for bullet resistive armor and cloth. These materials were found to be lighter and stronger than some alloy and ceramic substitutes. Additive manufacturing and CMC materials are now becoming more routine and are finding their way into more and more widespread industries.
Aerospace and military have always been the key areas that CMC and additive technologies are applied. The CMC development is a key part of the subsonic ordnance project along with multitudes of other military applications. This technology allows for lighter and more durable aircraft, munitions and body armor. Automotive has also always had a strong presence in the additive manufacturing industry as well.
It is new application areas were CMC technology is starting to shine. CMC technology is beginning to establish a presence in agricultural applications such as water desalinization, power and battery technology in providing lighter fuel cells. This technology will be applied to battery operated transportation vehicles, not only improving transportation capabilities but also lowering greenhouse emissions.
The main function of the furnace is to remove all organics and other materials used in the product prior to placing in a high fire vacuum chamber. This de-bindering process is extremely important and allows for a finished product which is a very strong light weight part.
The model XLC3648 furnace has a work zone of 23” wide by 23” high by 36” deep. The furnace has a single zone of control with a temperature gradient of ±20(F at 1100°F using four zones of temperature control with biasing to balance any temperature gradients.
The furnace is constructed of low mass insulating firebrick which allows for quicker cool down times. The furnace has a venturi cooling blower which will also aid in cooling. The furnace is controlled by a Eurotherm program control with overtemperature protection. There is also a programmable flow panel to control the nitrogen flow throughout the process.
The parts are heated to 1220(F in a retort chamber that is pressurized with nitrogen. The by-products of the outgassing part are directed by pressure and flow out the rear of the furnace. The parts are then heated in a vacuum furnace to temperatures in excess of 2300(F. The result is a super strong component which is stronger and lighter than titanium.”
Did you like this article? Click here to subscribe to The Monty.
View our recent magazines and podcasts by clicking the following link. https://themonty.com/magazine/
(Editors Note: Find out where Bluewater ranks in our list of the largest North American commercial heat treaters; 50 Largest North American Commercial Heat Treats 2021 | The Monty)
Nadcap® recognizes Bluewater Thermal Solutions for its superior performance and commitment to continual improvement in aerospace quality. Bluewater Thermal Solutions announces that it has been awarded Nadcap® Merit status for Heat Treating. “Our South Bend facility has once again received Nadcap’s merit status for heat treating – this time with zero nonconformances during our reaccreditation audit. I am incredibly proud of our team’s efforts and their commitment to excellence. Our unwavering focus on continual improvement is just one way we exceed our customers’ expectations.” Clifton Higdon, Director-Quality
Bluewater Thermal Solutions has held Nadcap® accreditation since 2010. Having demonstrated their ongoing commitment to quality by satisfying customer requirements and industry specifications, the Nadcap® Task Group has determined that Bluewater Thermal Solutions has earned special recognition. This means that, instead of having their next Nadcap® audit in twelve months, Bluewater Thermal Solutions has been granted an accreditation that lasts until August 31, 2024.
Did you like this article? Click here to subscribe to The Monty.
View our recent magazines and podcasts by clicking the following link. https://themonty.com/magazine/
May 22 we had the following very upsetting story about Universal Heat Treating in the Cleveland, Ohio, USA area suffering a very substantial fire. The company has decided that to service their customers all of their current work will be transitioned to another local commercial heat treater. Universal Heat Treating | Cleveland Heat Treating and Oxiding (uhtcle.com)
“MAY 22/2022; A commercial heat treater in the Cleveland area, Universal Heat Treating & Black Oxiding suffered what can only be described as a devastating fire Sunday May 22, 2022. From Cleveland 19 News we have this report which was issued as the fire was ongoing; “CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Fire Department is currently battling a 2-alarm overnight structure fire at a local business on Cleveland’s East Side, according to officials. The fire started at 10:43 p.m. at Universal Heat Treating, located at 3878 E. 93rd St., department officials said. 14 crews are currently battling the fire, department officials said. Cleveland Fire officials said they are still working to get more details on the fire.” Universal has a long and distinguished history in the heat treat industry which goes back to the company’s inception in 1965. The firm offers carburizing, vacuum heat treating, induction hardening and carbonitriding to name just a few of their processes. Our hearts go out to the entire team at Universal.”
“MAY 31/2022 CLEVELAND, OHIO; We are writing to let you know that on May 22, 2022, at approximately 10:41 PM Universal Heat Treating experienced a major fire. We immediately took steps to preserve our customers work and continue providing services as we have since 1965. We Are in the process of transitioning our work to Hi TecMetal Group’s Thermal Treatment Center and Walker Tool Treating. Both businesses are located in Northern Cleveland.
Hi TecMetal Group’s Thermal Treatment Center
28910 Lakeland Blvd
Wickliffe, OH 44092
Phone: (440) 943-4555
Walker Tool Treating
10601 Briggs Rd
Cleveland, OH 44111
Phone: (216) 426-6870
We are also in the process of providing HTG with all customer contact names and email addresses. HTG is in the process of hiring our people that are familiar with running your work this week. Also, they are being provided with all recipes and job routers that will enable them to process your work according to Required specifications. We will continue to post updates on our Universal Heat Treating website https://uhtcle.com/ If you have any questions please feel free to contact us or reach out by email to [email protected] Our team is working around the clock to deal with the situation, and we really appreciate your support and understanding. Michael D Amato
Did you like this article? Click here to subscribe to The Monty.
View our recent magazines and podcasts by clicking the following link. https://themonty.com/magazine/
A captive heat treater in the Rocky Mountain region of the USA is poised to receive a new endothermic generator from McLaughlin Furnace Group of Avilla, Indiana, USA. The unit is a 2,000 CFH gas fired “Tru Mix” system and start up is expected third quarter of 2022. The generator is shown in this picture and is flanked by Ben Tackett, and Ryan McLaughlin.
Did you like this article? Click here to subscribe to The Monty.
View our recent magazines and podcasts by clicking the following link. https://themonty.com/magazine/
