“New Columbia, PA – April 15^th, 2020: Thermal Product Solutions, LLC (TPS), a global manufacturer of thermal-processing and sterilizing equipment, recently announced their efforts to prove the efficacy of dry heat sterilization on personal protective equipment (PPE). One of the facilities they have partnered with in this effort is Stony Brook University located in New York. Stony Brook University recently released an article detailing their preliminary research and finding.

Pilot studies were conducted at the MART (Medical and Research Translation) building at Stony Brook University. The research team used a Gruenberg dry heat sterilizer to determine if there was degradation of the N95 masks after several rounds of dry heat treatment. Results from the testing were positive, showing that the heat treatment did not cause visible structural damage and had no effect on the straps. According to Dr. Shroyer of Stony Brook University, “Fit-test scores were virtually identical between masks processed through four repeated cycles, suggesting that this approach could effectively increase the usable supply of N95 masks by a factor of five. It appears that the heat treatment can also be used to treat other types of surgical face masks.”

After initial tests, the Gruenberg team visited the site to test with thermal data collection probes inserted into the masks along with bacterial biological indicators populated by Stony Brook and retest. These tests indicated a positive six (6) log kill which means that 99.9999% of the biological material is killed. A six (6) log kill is needed to claim disinfection. The Stony Brook University team reviewed all of the test cycles along with the thermal data collected to make modifications to their sterilization protocol. Read the full article for details on this innovative research https://news.stonybrook.edu/sb_medicine/dry-heat-ovens-can-effectively-disinfect-n95-masks/.”

“Interactive Investor” is a UK firm which describes itself as the UK’s number one flat-fee investment platform. The firm like many around the world is making predictions about which companies are going to survive and prosper after COVID-19. One which the company mentions is commercial heat treating giant Bodycote and their stated reasons are below-basically they feel that some of Bodycote’s competitors will not survive the current crisis. A condensed version of their thoughts are below with the complete article available at https://www.ii.co.uk/analysis-commentary/these-32-stocks-are-clear-winners-corona-crisis-ii511372 Interesting theory, time will tell.

“A team of city analysts name the companies they think will emerge stronger post Covid-19. Heavily-sold shares in JD Sports Fashion (LSE:JD.), Auto Trader (LSE:AUTO) and Paragon Banking Group (LSE:PAG) were today among 32 stocks backed by a City firm to “survive and thrive” in the Covid-19 markets crisis. Peel Hunt’s list of companies it expects to emerge from the pandemic with stronger market positions and growth prospects covers 11 sectors, with Bodycote (LSE:BOY) and Avon Rubber (LSE:AVON) among the industrials and Dunelm (LSE:DNLM) and ASOS (LSE:ASC) the other two stocks from the retail category. The broker uses seven themes to determine its “clear winners”, including balance sheet strength, technology adoption and potential exposure to significantly increased government spending. It also looks for companies focused on opportunity rather than survival. On Bodycote, Peel Hunt noted that the heat treatment firm’s competition was made up of local private companies that might not last a protracted crisis. This would provide the opportunity to acquire high-class assets in an industry where meaningful M&A is rare. Bodycote, which is in the interactive investor Aggressive Winter Portfolio, is tipped to rise from 582p to 800p. The third industrials stock on the list is performance materials business Coats.”

Solar Manufacturing is pleased to announce that MetalPro Resources will assume the role of Sales Representative for the states of Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. MetalPro Resources consists of three extraordinarily qualified individuals in the field of thermal processing and metallurgy. Jim Senne, Steve Maus and Bill Andreski bring a combination of over 100 years of heat treating knowledge and experience. With offices located in the Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Cleveland areas, MetalPro Resources offers many valuable services to their customer base.

In making this announcement, Adam Jones, Midwestern Regional Sales Manager remarked, “I am excited to have the opportunity to work with Jim, Steve and Bill. They are all great contributors to the heat treating market and the value that this will provide for our customers is immeasurable.”

Steve Maus of MetalPro Resources commented, “We have relationships with the people of Solar going back decades, and the time was finally right for us to join forces. Our region is rich in vacuum furnace applications and opportunities and we’re moving forward with the best possible partner in Solar Manufacturing.”

For more information on MetalPro Resources, visit www.metalproresources.com. For additional information on Solar Manufacturing, contact Adam Jones at [email protected] or 267- 384-5040 x1525, and visit www.solarmfg.com.

left to right: Steve Maus, Jim Senne, Bill Andreski

As metal additive manufacturing grows so to will the heat treating associated with it. In this case Protolabs in Minneapolis, MN, USA needed to expand their in house heat treating department as they added to their powder-bed metal additive systems. The expanded heat treat department will include another new vacuum furnace from Ipsen.

“Digital manufacturing leader Protolabs (NYSE: PRLB) will soon 3D-print parts on the largest powder-bed metal additive system in the world—giving customers a powerful new way to get large-format metal parts. The GE Additive Concept Laser X Line 2000R machine will be added to Protolabs’ production services in late summer 2020. Protolabs will further expand its additive manufacturing production capabilities with the GE Additive Concept Laser X Line 2000R, the world’s largest powder-bed metal additive system. The DMLM (direct metal laser melting) machine achieves an extremely large build volume of 31.5 in. x 15.7 in. x 19.7 in. (800mm x 400mm x 500mm). The ability to additively manufacture parts of this size means that entire assemblies can be designed and printed as a single piece.

Along with the X Line 2000R, to further grow its DMLM production capacity, Protolabs has added four more GE Additive Concept Laser M2 printers, capable of manufacturing parts up to 9.8 in. x 9.8 in. x 13.8 in. (250mm x 250mm x 350mm). This brings Protolabs’ total DMLM machine count to more than 30 metal additive machines, all capable of producing AS9100-production parts. In its ongoing effort to enhance and expand its production capabilities in additive manufacturing, Protolabs has invested in new post-processing equipment. A Solukon powder removal system that thoroughly removes trapped powder from internal cavities and complex geometries. Also, a new Ipsen vacuum heat-treat furnace will enable more in-house heat treatment. This will improve the consistency of mechanical properties of manufactured parts.”

Our upcoming list of the largest commercial heat treaters in North America will include one company which demonstrates how closely knit the worldwide heat treating industry is. No we are not referring to the Bodycote, rather Hauck, a division of Aalberts Industries which is based in the Netherlands. Hauck is probably the second largest in Europe and over the years it has been growing steadily in North America with the end result that it is one of the 10 largest commercials in North America. It achieved this distinction when it purchased Applied Process less than a year ago. While many things distinguish Applied Process quite possibly they are best known for their “monster” batch IQ furnace which is capable of handling 20,000 pound loads. This furnace is the world’s largest integral quench batch austempering furnace with an operating window of 84″W x 96″L x 54″T, a gross capacity of 20,000 pounds and a quench tank which holds 400,000 pounds of salt. It was built and installed in 2011 by furnace builder AFC-Holcroft of Wixom, Michigan and it is located in the Applied Process facility in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA.

Perhaps this item should be entitled “How Real Men Heat Treat”. As we research the largest commercial heat treaters in North America we are coming across some fascinating stories and some interesting photos. These photos are from a commercial heat treat in Texas who will be making our list. While this installation might look rather foreign to many heat treaters it is not that unusual in Texas which is used to heat treating vast quantities of pipe and bars stock. More later.

Kevin Cyrulik was just appointed Quality Assurance Manager for commercial heat treater Solar Atmospheres, Greenville, SC, USA. Solar is one of the largest commercial heat treaters in North America and will be appearing in our updated list of the largest commercials in North America which will be coming out within the next couple of weeks. Solar has 5 locations in the US, Two in Souderton, Pa., one in Hermitage, Pa., one in Fontana, Calif., and one in Greenville, S.C.. It would appear that Kevin is a long time “quality guy” having worked with companies such as DRT Aerospace, Bodycote and B & F Machine Company.    

“Brea, CA – April 16^th, 2020 – Baker Furnace, a leading supplier of pollution control equipment, is excited to announce an incineration solution for infectious medical waste. As more and more people are treated for COVID-19, the amount of infectious waste produced will continue to increase. Baker Furnace manufactures medical waste incinerators that use temperatures in excess of 1,000° C to eliminate infectious pathogens and reduce waste.

According to preliminary data the COVID-19 virus survives longer outside the body than the common flu. The medical waste that hosts these pathogens will need to be treated at help centers and hospitals across the world. For example, medical personnel are using N95 masks throughout their shifts. These N95 masks may contain the COVID-19 virus and will need to be disposed of properly to eliminate the potential of infecting others. The sheer number of N95 masks and other PPE that are being used and disposed of creates a waste issue at medical facilities. If this waste is simply sterilized and taken to a landfill instead of incinerating, the environmental impact will be significant.

Medical waste incinerators provide an effective, environmentally friendly solution to the impending medical waste crisis. Baker Furnace specializes in pollution control equipment including waste incinerators that are used on pathological and infectious medical waste. These incinerators effectively destroy COVID-19 along with other virus by using a thermal oxidation process and heating the medical waste to extreme temperatures in excess of 1,000°C.

Baker Furnace’s medical waste incineration systems are designed in configurations that allow for them to be transported from site to site and only require an electric and gas connection. This provides facilities with the option to maximize their usage and waste reduction. A medical waste incinerator will not only eliminate the virus on waste but also reduce the amount of waste by up to 99%. This secondary benefit is important to consider because it minimizes the increase in landfill waste due to this pandemic and provides a cost savings to facilities on waste disposal services.”

“Autoclaves can use steam to sterilize medical waste but there is no reduction of waste. Our systems can be designed to process a few pounds of waste to thousands of pounds of waste. As medical waste increases during this pandemic it is important to limit the environmental impact and minimize additional landfill waste.” – Greg Jennings, President and CEO”