Niagara Falls – CAN-ENG Furnaces International Ltd. is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a contract for the design and manufacture of a state-of-the-art Continuous Roller Hearth Aluminum Casting T-6 Heat Treatment System. The system will incorporate continuous roller hearth solution heat treatment and artificial aging furnaces, complemented by CAN-ENG’s advanced rapid quench transfer system. This integrated design provides precise thermal processing while minimizing transfer time to the water quench, ensuring optimum metallurgical performance and product quality.
The customer selected CAN-ENG to replace an existing heat treatment system that could no longer satisfy increasing production requirements and evolving quality expectations. The new system will deliver significant operational and performance benefits, including:
• Superior furnace temperature uniformity
• Enhanced product handling and process reliability
• Rapid transfer water quench automation system for improved metallurgical consistency
• Reduced energy consumption
• Minimized risk of part damage and distortion
• Increased equipment uptime and productivity compared with conventional conveyorbased systems
This contract further reinforces CAN-ENG’s leadership in advanced heat treatment technology and reflects the continued confidence customers place in the company’s innovative engineering solutions. The project also strengthens CAN-ENG’s growing installed base of aluminum heat treatment systems across North America and international markets.
Investments in heat treatment, HIP and additive manufacturing support help aerospace and defense customers scale production
- Investment delivers new vacuum heat-treatment equipment at Roselle facility in New Jersey
- Andover site in Massachusetts strengthens its specialist Powdermet and HIP-based metal densification capabilities
- Upgrades at Greenville in South Carolina result in more integrated post-processing services for metal 3D-printed parts
[July 21, 2026] Greenville, NC and Andover MA: Bodycote, the world’s leading provider of advanced heat treatment and specialist thermal processing services, has made a series of strategic investments totaling several million dollars in advanced processing technologies and facility upgrades across its East Coast US network.
The program includes new vacuum heat-treatment equipment, expanded Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) capacity and additional specialist powder metallurgy and additive manufacturing support capabilities. These developments expand capacity and improve operational efficiency across several Nadcap-accredited facilities, helping aerospace and defense customers scale production, reduce supply chain complexity and meet demanding program schedules. They also form part of Bodycote’s broader program of capacity and capability expansion across North America, including the opening of its Fairfield, Ohio facility and the acquisition of Spectrum Thermal Processing.
“These investments reflect our ongoing commitment to the high-growth, high-value aerospace and defense sectors,” says Heidi McNary, President, Global Aerospace, Defense and Energy at Bodycote. “Heat treatment and thermal processing play a vital role in improving the properties of metals and alloys and extending the service life of mission-critical components. By investing in capacity and capability today, we are ensuring we can support customer growth for years to come.”
The investment includes installing a new two-bar, front-loading vacuum furnace at Bodycote’s Roselle facility in New Jersey. Vacuum heat treatment is performed in a controlled vacuum environment, preventing oxidation and contamination while enhancing the strength, durability and performance of critical metal parts.
The new furnace has completed installation and commissioning and is now available for customer production, increasing available capacity for aerospace, defense and industrial gas turbine programs while helping customers meet demanding quality, delivery and production requirements.
Meanwhile, Bodycote has also modernized its Andover facility in Massachusetts, strengthening its specialist Powdermet, product fabrication and HIP-based metal densification capabilities. The site designs and fabricates near-net-shape canisters used to contain powder metal before on-site HIP processing, helping customers produce complex, high-integrity components while reducing dependence on traditional casting and forging supply chains.
The Andover facility has undergone a lean transformation to remove under-utilized assets, improve workflow and free up space for future growth. These changes are helping accelerate turnaround times while positioning Andover as a strategic center for advanced powder metallurgy and densification services.
Bodycote has also made further investments at its Greenville, South Carolina facility, adding HIP and heat-treatment capacity. Strategically located in a growing US aerospace and defense region, the site provides specialist processing for high-performance metal components, including 3D-printed metal parts.
For additive manufacturing customers, Greenville supports a more integrated post-processing route. Bodycote can densify printed metal components using HIP, perform precision wire EDM operations, and return parts ready for the next stage of production or end-use qualification. This helps customers simplify their supply chain, reduce supplier hand-offs and accelerate the route from printed part to application-ready component.
“Bodycote provides consistent, reliable and sustainable heat treatment and specialist thermal processing services from a network of accredited plants across North America,” adds Heidi McNary. “These investments strengthen our ability to support customer growth, providing the capacity, capability and technical expertise needed to meet the evolving demands of aerospace and defense programs.”
Bodycote will discuss these expanded capabilities with aerospace and defense customers at the upcoming Farnborough International Airshow, taking place from 20-24 July in the United Kingdom. Visitors can meet the Bodycote team in Hall 4, Stand 41111, to learn how the company’s thermal processing and specialist technologies support the performance, reliability, and efficiency of critical aerospace components.
Recently the “Monty Heat Treat News” has had several articles pointing out that while heat treating investments in the automotive, heavy industry and “general” industries continues to languish, furnace investments in the Aerospace, Defense and Energy markets continues to “boom”.
A very good example of this can be found in this July 14th, 2026 press release from heat treating giant “Bodycote”; “European Heat Treatment Investments include “HIP””.
Now we have yet another example; The “Bodycote” location in Roselle, NJ, USA has just completed installation of an “Ipsen Titan” vacuum furnace which will be used to service the aerospace industry. The furnace is a “Titan H6” with a diffusion pump and all-metal hot zone which gives them the ability to process high nickel and titanium alloys. This furnace will compliment the 4 VFS vacuum furnaces the facility already has-3 of these furnaces have high pressure gas quenching, 6 & 10 Bar.
Left to Right; Kevin McDonald, General Manager, Mark Aviles Sr. Project Engineer, Chris Grillo and Bob Carbonaro Maintenance Manager.
“Poland continues to strengthen its position as one of Europe’s key aviation production hubs. One of the pillars of this position is advanced heat treatment technologies, such as SECO/WARWICK solutions used by global component manufacturers. The latest example is the signed contract for the supply of a horizontal CaseMaster Evolution dual chamber vacuum furnace with oil quenching for the aerospace sector.
The new system will increase the heat treatment capacity of the Polish plant for aircraft landing gear components manufactured for the world’s largest civil and military aircraft producers. The CaseMaster Evolution furnace on order is the largest standard dual chamber oil quenching unit in the SECO/WARWICK portfolio. It combines a heating chamber with a loading/unloading vestibule equipped with a quench tank enabling cooling in either an inert gas or oil, depending on the requirements of a given part.
“CaseMaster Evolution is a design that combines a large working space, reliability and high energy efficiency, which today is just as important as the metallurgical parameters themselves,” he adds.
The furnace enables the heat treatment of large dimension landing gear components while maintaining excellent temperature uniformity of the load. Graphite insulation and heating elements ensure stable operation in demanding serial production conditions, and the heating system provides fast, uniform heating across a wide temperature range, shortening the total cycle time. High efficiency oil circulation ensures excellent load penetration and fast, uniform cooling, both of which are crucial for the fatigue strength of critical components.”
A key distinguishing feature of this design is the ability to cool in inert gas inside the quench vestibule above the oil level, at pressures up to approx. 1.5 bar absolute, with forced gas circulation via a fan in the chamber ceiling. This allows the cooling path to be adjusted to the geometry and requirements of a given part — from classic oil quenching to combined sequences that minimize distortion while maintaining the required mechanical properties. A dew point sensor at the inlet of process gases eliminates the risk of moisture condensation and unwanted oxidation, while convection heating significantly improves efficiency during the heating phase.
“This Partner knows SECO/WARWICK solutions very well and has its own operational experience with CMe vacuum furnaces. On one hand, this facilitates technical discussions because we speak the same process language; on the other hand, it sets the bar very high, as each new investment must genuinely increase production quality, efficiency and production economics. The new unit addresses a specific operational challenge – the growing number of landing gear components that require heat treatment, with very high process repeatability. The additional furnace will increase the capacity of the existing hardening department, allow better workload distribution between lines, and create a safe buffer of production capabilities for new programs or peak order periods,” says Jędrzej Malinowski, Sales Manager at SECO/WARWICK.
“WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — More than 100 workers at a manufacturer in Telford will be impacted by a permanent closure starting in April 2026. JTEKT North America Corporation filed a WARN Notice with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD), stating it will begin its permanent closure on or around April 30, 2026. The notice comes more than a year after JTEKT, whose plant is commonly called Koyo, told News Channel 11 of its shutdown plan.
The closure will continue through Aug. 31, 2026, the WARN Notice states. JTEKT’s affected location is at 146 Cutting Edge Court in Telford at the Washington County Industrial Park.
“The total number of affected workers is 136 Tennessee employees,” the notice states.
The TDLWD stated it was notified by JTEKT on Thursday. In 2024, JTEKT announced it would be ceasing its manufacturing operations at the Washington County Industrial Park in 2026. Another manufacturing plant that directly supplies the JTEKT facility, Nakatetsu Machining Technologies (NMT), also revealed it would cease operations at the industrial park in 2026.
JTEKT’s Scott Craig told News Channel 11 in August 2024 that 192 people worked at the Koyo plant, indicating close to 60 already had left since then. Craig said JTEKT would offer chances for Koyo workers to transfer to plants in Morristown and Vonore, Tenn. and Greenville, S.C. as available and provide severance packages and full job transition assistance to those who stay until they’re laid off or the plant closes.
JTEKT manufactures components for the automotive industry. In 2024, JTEKT leadership said the changing landscape of the automotive industry and the emphasis on electric vehicles caused a decline in demand for the parts used in conventional engines. The Koyo and Nakatetsu plants began production in Telford in 2006.”
This newest location represents another important investment in our continued growth and commitment to serving customers with advanced vacuum heat treating technology, increased capacity, and the reliable service that has defined Solar Atmospheres for decades.
Which Technology Suits Your Heat Treatment Process?
Behind every consistent heat treatment cycle is a vacuum system operating under demanding conditions. The choice of vacuum pump technology can have a significant impact on process stability, system uptime, maintenance requirements, and energy consumption, making it a critical factor in overall operational performance.
Screw and piston vacuum pumps are both well-established technologies in heat treatment applications, yet they differ considerably in their operating principles, performance characteristics, maintenance demands, and total cost of ownership. In this article, we compare the strengths and limitations of each technology, examining how these differences influence efficiency, reliability, and operating costs to help you determine the most suitable solution for your heat treatment process.
Working Principle of Screw pumps:
Screw vacuum pumps operate using two intermeshing screw rotors housed inside a cylindrical chamber. Their operation can be broken down into three main stages:
- Inlet
- The process begins as the gas enters the pump through the inlet.
- Inside the cylindrical housing, two screw-shaped rotors rotate in opposite directions, drawing the gas inward.
- Compression
- The incoming gas is trapped in spaces between the screws and the cylinder wall.
- Due to variable pitch screw design, as the screws rotate, the volume gradually reduces.
- This reducing volume compresses the gas without any contact between the rotors or between the rotors and housing – reducing wear and increasing efficiency.
- Outlet
- Once compressed, the gas is discharged through the outlet.
- The twin-screw design ensures a short path from inlet to outlet, allowing for fast, efficient compression and reduced cycle times.
Working Principle of Piston pumps:
Piston vacuum pumps also operate on the principle of positive displacement. Though originally developed for pumping liquids in agricultural and domestic settings, they have been adapted for vacuum generation in a range of industrial processes.
The pump is driven by an electric motor connected to a crankshaft and connecting rod assembly, which converts rotary motion into the reciprocating movement of a piston within a cylinder. The pumping cycle consists of the following phases:
- Suction Phase
- Vacuum generation begins as the piston moves downward (away from the cylinder head), the volume inside the cylinder increases.
- This creates a pressure drop, and now pressure inside the cylinder is lower than that of the vacuum furnace, drawing in gas through the inlet (suction) valve, which opens as the chamber pressure falls.
- Compression Phase
- When the piston moves upward (toward the cylinder head), the chamber volume decreases, compressing the gas, raising its pressure.
- The Suction valve closes to prevent backflow of gas.
- Discharge Phase
- Once the gas pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure, the outlet (exhaust) valve opens to release the compressed gas.
- The piston completes its stroke, and the cycle repeats.
By such reciprocal back & forth movement of the piston, gas is evacuated from the furnace, generating vacuum.
Performance of Screw and Piston Vacuum pumps on key factors:
Energy Efficiency:
Piston vacuum pumps operate using a crankshaft-driven reciprocating mechanism, which introduces mechanical losses due to friction, valve actuation, and inertia which further translates to increased energy consumption. Additionally, these pumps often run at fixed speeds and are thus less efficient at partial loads.
Screw vacuum pumps, by contrast, feature a dry, contact-free compression mechanism that minimizes internal friction. These can further be equipped with variable frequency drives (VFDs) such as the Busch ECOTORQUE, allowing them to adjust speed based on demand which significantly improves energy efficiency, especially in processes such as heat treatment where loads can fluctuate.
Maintenance
Piston vacuum pumps contain several reciprocating components, including pistons, valves, and crankshafts, that are subject to continuous mechanical stress and wear. To maintain optimum performance, these components require regular servicing, such as oil changes, valve replacement, and seal inspection or replacement. As a result, piston pumps typically incur higher maintenance costs and experience more downtime than screw vacuum pumps.
Screw vacuum pumps, by contrast, feature a simpler design with non-contacting, dry rotors. The dry compression mechanism minimizes internal wear and contamination, allowing for longer service intervals – with only periodic gearbox oil changes and routine checks.
Noise and Vibration
The reciprocating motion of piston vacuum pumps inherently generates pulsations, mechanical impacts, and vibration, often resulting in higher noise levels during operation. Over time, these dynamic forces can also accelerate wear on mechanical components.
In contrast, screw vacuum pumps use rotating, non-contacting screw rotors that continuously compress gas along the length of the screws. This smooth, continuous compression process minimises pulsation and vibration, resulting in quieter operation, reduced mechanical wear, and enhanced long-term reliability.Tolerance to Contaminants and Reactive Gases
Piston vacuum pumps rely on oil-lubricated, mechanically contacting parts with multiple sealing surfaces that are exposed to process gases. When exposed to dust, vapors, condensation, or reactive gases, contaminants mix with the lubricant, leading to oil degradation, corrosion of internal components, residue build-up, and accelerated wear. This accelerates oil contamination, necessitating more frequent oil changes.
Screw vacuum pumps, by contrast, use a dry, oil-free compression mechanism with non-contacting rotors. This design eliminates the risk of oil contamination and significantly reduces sensitivity to particulates and condensables. The absence of internal lubrication also allows for the use of corrosion-resistant coatings tailored for aggressive or reactive gases and vapors, making screw vacuum pumps better suited to demanding process environments.
Cost of ownership
Screw vacuum pumps typically have a higher initial cost due to their advanced dry, oil-free technology and precision manufacturing. However, this upfront premium is offset by lower maintenance and operating costs over time. Piston vacuum pumps typically have lower initial purchase prices but incur higher maintenance and lubricant expenses, increasing total cost of ownership.
Summary
When selecting a vacuum pump for your heat treatment process, it is important to consider more than just the initial purchase price. Factors such as energy consumption, maintenance requirements, process stability, uptime, and total cost of ownership can have a far greater impact on long-term operational performance.
While piston vacuum pumps remain a proven technology and may be suitable where minimising upfront investment is the primary objective, screw vacuum pumps offer clear advantages for most modern heat treatment applications. Their dry, contact-free design delivers higher energy efficiency, reduced maintenance requirements, quieter operation, improved vacuum stability, and greater tolerance to contaminants and reactive gases. Together, these benefits help maximise equipment availability, improve process consistency, and reduce operating costs throughout the life of the system.
If your goal is to optimise productivity, reliability, and long-term value, screw vacuum pump technology is often the preferred choice.
New capability helps meet rising demand for metallurgical services from aerospace and defence customers
- Two new large-format Hot Isostatic Pressing vessels installed at Magny-Cours facility in France
- Haag-Winden plant in Germany also expands HIP and powder metallurgy capacity
- Investments support customers’ ability to produce mission-critical components for extreme environments
“London, United Kingdom [July 14, 2026]: Bodycote, the world’s leading provider of advanced heat treatment and specialist thermal processing services, has made multi-million-euro investments in additional advanced thermal processing capacity across its European network to support growing demand from aerospace and defence customers and help strengthen critical manufacturing supply chains across Europe.
The programme includes new Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) equipment and expanded specialist powder metallurgy capabilities, increasing capacity for the processing and manufacture of critical, high-performance components.
“These investments enhance our network of quality-accredited European facilities, expanding proven metallurgy support and expertise across a wide range of defence and aerospace applications,” says Heidi McNary, President, Global Aerospace, Defence and Energy at Bodycote. “The new and upgraded sites will help deliver increased capacity for thermal processing at a time when demand from aerospace and defence customers is growing at a double-digit annual rate.”
Bodycote has invested more than €20 million at its Magny-Cours facility in France. Magny-Cours is a major European hub for HIP, a process that uses a combination of high temperature and isostatic gas pressure to eliminate internal porosity and improve the mechanical properties of critical metal components.
The investment includes installing multiple large-format HIP vessels. These units substantially increase available processing volumes, enabling larger components to be treated while increasing capability and energy efficiency. Once fully operational by the end of 2026, the expanded installation will give Magny-Cours several HIP units, providing additional capacity to support production ramp up across the aerospace, industrial gas turbine (IGT) and defence sectors in Europe.
The expansion will also create additional employment opportunities at the site.
Bodycote has also expanded HIP capacity at its Haag-Winden facility in Germany by adding two new HIP vessels. The site is a specialist centre for both Hot Isostatic Pressing and its specialist Powdermet, product fabrication, enabling near-net-shape components to be manufactured and HIP-processed on-site, while also providing standalone HIP services for customer-supplied parts.
The investment increases processing availability and throughput, helping meet growing demand from aerospace, defence and general industrial customers.
“These investments reflect Bodycote’s ongoing commitment to aerospace and defence,” adds Heidi McNary. “With decades of experience in these markets, we will continue to expand our range of performance metallurgy solutions, enabling leading companies to produce mission-critical components for extreme environments. Our focus remains on delivering assured quality, cost-effective processing and on-time completion, while helping customers improve repeatability, increase throughput and meet demanding programme schedules.”
Bodycote will be discussing these expanded capabilities with aerospace and defence customers at the upcoming Farnborough International Airshow, which takes place from 20-24 July. Visitors can meet the Bodycote team in Hall 4, Stand 41111, to learn how the company’s thermal processing and specialist technologies support the performance, reliability, and efficiency of critical aerospace components.
About Bodycote: Bodycote plc is the world’s leading provider of specialist thermal processing services, delivering vital metallurgical solutions that improve the performance, reliability, and longevity of critical components. Serving customers across aerospace, automotive, energy, defence, medical, and other industrial sectors, Bodycote combines global scale with local expertise to meet demanding technical and sustainability requirements. Through its global scale the company is committed to delivering innovative solutions that advance performance, sustainability and competitive advantage for its customers.” For more information, visit www.bodycote.com“
Why is this important-“Wikipedia” has this summary of “ITAR”; “The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) is a strict set of U.S. Government regulations that controls the manufacture, export and import of defense-related articles, services and technical data. Enforced by the U.S. Department of State it ensures that military and space technologies do not fall into unauthorized hands.”
What this means is that commercial and captive heat treater without this registration are unable to bid on any defense or space related services. Congratulations to both “Lark Heat Treat” and “Texas Heat Treating” for achieving this valuable accreditation.
