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Advanced metalworking relocates factory
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Seco/Warwick provides Corning with furnace SECO/WARWICK Corp of Meadville, Pennsylvania, USA, has won a c o n t r a c t to s u p p l y C o r n i n g Inc with a front-loading sintering furnace to be used to p r o d u c e highly efficient catalytic converters. The furnace will be used to sinter iron, aluminium and chromium for use in the catalytic converters, which have been designed to meet s t r i n g e n t 1997 Californ i a n emission s t a n d a r d s . The f u r n a c e is des i g n e d to o p e r a t e a t 1450°C w i t h a m a x i m u m operating t e m p e r a ture of 1500°C.
Doug Glenn, Seco/ Warwick; tel: + 1-814724-1400; fax: + 1-814724-1407.
Advanced Metalworking relocates factory ADVANCED Metalworking Practices Inc has relocated its p r o d u c t i o n a n d laboratory facilities to a 335 m 2 p l a n t in Carmel, Indiana, USA. The p l a n t has equipm e n t for the p r o d u c t i o n of ready-to-use feedstock for metal injection m o u l d i n g (MIM) u s i n g the c o m p a n y ' s proprietary binder systems. Other facilities i n c l u d e instrumentation for characterization of metal p o w d e r s a n d feedstocks, a t m o s p h e r e a n d v a c u u m ovens a n d a high t e m p e r a t u r e (1650°C) v a c u u m s i n t e r i n g furnace. In a d d i t i o n to t h e production of feedstocks, Advanced Metalworking offers research a n d d e v e l o p m e n t , and, prototype production p r o g r a m s on MIM a n d related topics.
Dr Kishor M. Kulkarni, A d v a n c e d Metalworking Practices Inc; tel~fax: + 1 - 3 1 7 - 8 4 3 1233. 2
MPR October 1993
UPDATE
C e r a c o n sets sights on e x t e n d i n g gun b a r r e l life CERACON Inc of Sacrem e n t o , C a l i f o r n i a , USA, has been awarded a six m o n t h c o n t r a c t to develop a novel a p p r o a c h to increase the wear a n d erosion life of gun barrels. The contract, from the US Army Research Development a n d Engineering Center (ARCDEC), is a i m e d at p r o d u c i n g longer life barrels to reduce the downtime of e x i s t i n g w e a p o n systems. Prior work u n d e r the ' A d v a n c e d M a t e r i a l s for Gun Systems' p r o g r a m has i d e n t i f i e d a n u m b e r of m e t a l alloys p o s s e s s i n g the b a l a n c e of properties required for this d e m a n d ing application. However, a processing methodology capable of b o n d i n g these alloys to a steel surface is not yet available. Ceracon p l a n s to identify the most
suitable of these alloys to use in its p a t e n t e d Ceracon Process. The c o m p a n y will use an innovative cold isostatic p r o c e s s i n g a p p r o a c h to o b t a i n a t h i n coating of r e f r a c t o r y m e t a l on t h e i n n e r s u r f a c e of s t e e l . T h e s e m a t e r i a l s will be fully densified a n d b o n d e d using the Ceracon process. After characterization, exa m i n a t i o n of p r o p e r t i e s a n d wear erosion trials, a suitable alloy will be selected and more thoroughly examined. The Ceracon process is a simple consolidation t e c h n i q u e t h a t uses conv e n t i o n a l PM e q u i p m e n t a n d set-up. The quasi-isostatic, h o t c o n s o l i d a t i o n technique, however, uses a p a r t i c u l a t e m a t e r i a l as its pressure t r a n s m i t t i n g medi u m i n s t e a d of high pres-
Instron acquires German materials testing c o m p a n y MATERIALS testing equipment manufacturer I n s t r o n of New Malden, UK, has acquired all of t h e s h a r e s of G e r m a n c o m p a n y Amsler Otto Wolpert-Werke GmbH. Wolpert, a subsidiry of Probat Werke von Gimb o n GmbH, m a n u f a c t u r e s a n d d i s t r i b u t e s hardness, spring and materials testing e q u i p m e n t worldwide with a n n u a l sales of a p p r o x i m a t e l y $10 million. The c o m p a n y has been in b u s i n e s s for 66 y e a r s a n d h a s a well established customer base, particularly in Europe. Instron's president a n d chief executive officer, J a m e s M. McConnell says the acquisition comp l e m e n t s I n s t r o n ' s earlier purchase o f US m a n u f a c t u r e r Wilson Ins t r u m e n t s Inc. "It e s t a b l i s h e s Instron as the world leader in h a r d n e s s testing a n d e n h a n c e s our position in
the metals testing market. By j o i n i n g the expertise a n d c u s t o m e r bases of Wilson a n d Wolpert, we will be able to provide c u s t o m e r s w i t h a b r o a d e r a n d m o r e adv a n c e d r a n g e of h a r d ness t e s t i n g e q u i p m e n t , " Mr McConnell says. "This acquisition b r i n g s a d d i t i o n a l prod u c t s to I n s t r o n a n d will provide Wolpert with greater access to world m a r k e t s for its s p r i n g testing a n d m a t e r i a l testing e q u i p m e n t . " Mr M c C o n n e l l says the purchase was a f u r t h e r step in I n s t r o n ' s efforts to b r o a d e n its base of m a t e r i a l s testing e q u i p m e n t . He says despite the tough economic climate the c o m p a n y still believed it was critical to invest in new technology.
Paul Trendall, Instron Ltd; tel: + 44-494464646; fax: +44-494456124.
sure inert gas. The c o m p a n y says the process greatly reduces p a r t production t i m e s a n d is cheaper than conventional c o n s o l i d a t i o n techniques. Ceracon has s p e n t $15 m i l l i o n on r e s e a r c h a n d d e v e l o p m e n t l e a d i n g to t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of its process. The company holds 25 US p a t e n t s a n d 48 foreign p a t e n t s on the p r o c e s s , a n d l i c e n s e s it alone or together with a t u r n k e y p r o d u c t i o n facility. Ceracon's most recent p a t e n t c o n c e r n s the one step i n s e r t i o n of t u n g s t e n carbide nibs into a powder matrix, which it claims can give s t r o n g e r a n d less expensive bits for the percussive bit industry.
R a y m o n d Anderson II, Ceracon Inc; tel: + 1-916928-1933; f a x : + 1-916928-1934.
UK factory set for samarium cobalt magnet business SAMARIUM cobalt magnets are to be the p r i n ciple p r o d u c t s from a £7 m i l l i o n p l a n t in Sheffield, UK, built by Swift Levick Magnets Ltd
(SLM). SLM, wholly owned by Finnish metallurgical group Outokumpu, has recently completed the facility and will transfer its Rare E a r t h division to the 4.5 hectare site. The 2000 m 2 plant is equipped with autom a t e d p r o d u c t i o n technology and advanced c o m p u t e r systems. The c o m p a n y will initially c o n c e n t r a t e on manufacturing samarium cobalt magnets, both SmCo5 and 8m2Co17 grades, b u t has the option of m a n u f a c turing neodymium-ironboron magnets. These are already p r o d u c e d by O u t o k u m p u Magnets OY in Pori, Finland. Bob Hunt, Swift Levick M a g n e t s Ltd; tel: + 4 4 - 7 0 9 - 5 5 0 0 9 9 ; fax: + 44-709-560482.
Seco/Warwick provides Corning with furnace SECO/WARWICK Corp of Meadville, Pennsylvania, USA, has won a c o n t r a c t to s u p p l y C o r n i n g Inc with a front-loading sintering furnace to be used to p r o d u c e highly efficient catalytic converters. The furnace will be used to sinter iron, aluminium and chromium for use in the catalytic converters, which have been designed to meet s t r i n g e n t 1997 Californ i a n emission s t a n d a r d s . The f u r n a c e is des i g n e d to o p e r a t e a t 1450°C w i t h a m a x i m u m operating t e m p e r a ture of 1500°C.
Doug Glenn, Seco/ Warwick; tel: + 1-814724-1400; fax: + 1-814724-1407.
Advanced Metalworking relocates factory ADVANCED Metalworking Practices Inc has relocated its p r o d u c t i o n a n d laboratory facilities to a 335 m 2 p l a n t in Carmel, Indiana, USA. The p l a n t has equipm e n t for the p r o d u c t i o n of ready-to-use feedstock for metal injection m o u l d i n g (MIM) u s i n g the c o m p a n y ' s proprietary binder systems. Other facilities i n c l u d e instrumentation for characterization of metal p o w d e r s a n d feedstocks, a t m o s p h e r e a n d v a c u u m ovens a n d a high t e m p e r a t u r e (1650°C) v a c u u m s i n t e r i n g furnace. In a d d i t i o n to t h e production of feedstocks, Advanced Metalworking offers research a n d d e v e l o p m e n t , and, prototype production p r o g r a m s on MIM a n d related topics.
Dr Kishor M. Kulkarni, A d v a n c e d Metalworking Practices Inc; tel~fax: + 1 - 3 1 7 - 8 4 3 1233. 2
MPR October 1993
UPDATE
C e r a c o n sets sights on e x t e n d i n g gun b a r r e l life CERACON Inc of Sacrem e n t o , C a l i f o r n i a , USA, has been awarded a six m o n t h c o n t r a c t to develop a novel a p p r o a c h to increase the wear a n d erosion life of gun barrels. The contract, from the US Army Research Development a n d Engineering Center (ARCDEC), is a i m e d at p r o d u c i n g longer life barrels to reduce the downtime of e x i s t i n g w e a p o n systems. Prior work u n d e r the ' A d v a n c e d M a t e r i a l s for Gun Systems' p r o g r a m has i d e n t i f i e d a n u m b e r of m e t a l alloys p o s s e s s i n g the b a l a n c e of properties required for this d e m a n d ing application. However, a processing methodology capable of b o n d i n g these alloys to a steel surface is not yet available. Ceracon p l a n s to identify the most
suitable of these alloys to use in its p a t e n t e d Ceracon Process. The c o m p a n y will use an innovative cold isostatic p r o c e s s i n g a p p r o a c h to o b t a i n a t h i n coating of r e f r a c t o r y m e t a l on t h e i n n e r s u r f a c e of s t e e l . T h e s e m a t e r i a l s will be fully densified a n d b o n d e d using the Ceracon process. After characterization, exa m i n a t i o n of p r o p e r t i e s a n d wear erosion trials, a suitable alloy will be selected and more thoroughly examined. The Ceracon process is a simple consolidation t e c h n i q u e t h a t uses conv e n t i o n a l PM e q u i p m e n t a n d set-up. The quasi-isostatic, h o t c o n s o l i d a t i o n technique, however, uses a p a r t i c u l a t e m a t e r i a l as its pressure t r a n s m i t t i n g medi u m i n s t e a d of high pres-
Instron acquires German materials testing c o m p a n y MATERIALS testing equipment manufacturer I n s t r o n of New Malden, UK, has acquired all of t h e s h a r e s of G e r m a n c o m p a n y Amsler Otto Wolpert-Werke GmbH. Wolpert, a subsidiry of Probat Werke von Gimb o n GmbH, m a n u f a c t u r e s a n d d i s t r i b u t e s hardness, spring and materials testing e q u i p m e n t worldwide with a n n u a l sales of a p p r o x i m a t e l y $10 million. The c o m p a n y has been in b u s i n e s s for 66 y e a r s a n d h a s a well established customer base, particularly in Europe. Instron's president a n d chief executive officer, J a m e s M. McConnell says the acquisition comp l e m e n t s I n s t r o n ' s earlier purchase o f US m a n u f a c t u r e r Wilson Ins t r u m e n t s Inc. "It e s t a b l i s h e s Instron as the world leader in h a r d n e s s testing a n d e n h a n c e s our position in
the metals testing market. By j o i n i n g the expertise a n d c u s t o m e r bases of Wilson a n d Wolpert, we will be able to provide c u s t o m e r s w i t h a b r o a d e r a n d m o r e adv a n c e d r a n g e of h a r d ness t e s t i n g e q u i p m e n t , " Mr McConnell says. "This acquisition b r i n g s a d d i t i o n a l prod u c t s to I n s t r o n a n d will provide Wolpert with greater access to world m a r k e t s for its s p r i n g testing a n d m a t e r i a l testing e q u i p m e n t . " Mr M c C o n n e l l says the purchase was a f u r t h e r step in I n s t r o n ' s efforts to b r o a d e n its base of m a t e r i a l s testing e q u i p m e n t . He says despite the tough economic climate the c o m p a n y still believed it was critical to invest in new technology.
Paul Trendall, Instron Ltd; tel: + 44-494464646; fax: +44-494456124.
sure inert gas. The c o m p a n y says the process greatly reduces p a r t production t i m e s a n d is cheaper than conventional c o n s o l i d a t i o n techniques. Ceracon has s p e n t $15 m i l l i o n on r e s e a r c h a n d d e v e l o p m e n t l e a d i n g to t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of its process. The company holds 25 US p a t e n t s a n d 48 foreign p a t e n t s on the p r o c e s s , a n d l i c e n s e s it alone or together with a t u r n k e y p r o d u c t i o n facility. Ceracon's most recent p a t e n t c o n c e r n s the one step i n s e r t i o n of t u n g s t e n carbide nibs into a powder matrix, which it claims can give s t r o n g e r a n d less expensive bits for the percussive bit industry.
R a y m o n d Anderson II, Ceracon Inc; tel: + 1-916928-1933; f a x : + 1-916928-1934.
UK factory set for samarium cobalt magnet business SAMARIUM cobalt magnets are to be the p r i n ciple p r o d u c t s from a £7 m i l l i o n p l a n t in Sheffield, UK, built by Swift Levick Magnets Ltd
(SLM). SLM, wholly owned by Finnish metallurgical group Outokumpu, has recently completed the facility and will transfer its Rare E a r t h division to the 4.5 hectare site. The 2000 m 2 plant is equipped with autom a t e d p r o d u c t i o n technology and advanced c o m p u t e r systems. The c o m p a n y will initially c o n c e n t r a t e on manufacturing samarium cobalt magnets, both SmCo5 and 8m2Co17 grades, b u t has the option of m a n u f a c turing neodymium-ironboron magnets. These are already p r o d u c e d by O u t o k u m p u Magnets OY in Pori, Finland. Bob Hunt, Swift Levick M a g n e t s Ltd; tel: + 4 4 - 7 0 9 - 5 5 0 0 9 9 ; fax: + 44-709-560482.