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Union Process makes Attritors for grinding alumina
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Magnetic MIM parts improve generator efficiency Scientists from Universidad Carlos III in Madrid (UC3M) have developed a new type of tidal energy generator using magnetic MIM parts. The researchers have reportedly modified the generator’s design so that components manufactured using metal injection moulding (MIM) could be installed. This could reduce the cost of these systems as well as increasing their efficiency by up to 30%, according to the scientists’ calculations. “These generators use magnetic components that we are producing using PIM [powder injection moulding] technology, which turns out to be more versatile when it comes to modifying the compositions and makes it possible to get the parts for a lower price,” said José Manuel Torralba, from the university’s Powder Technology Research Group (Grupo de Tecnología de Polvos-GTP), who is coordinating UC3M’s participation in this project. According to a paper that these researchers recently published in the
International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, in which they describe the different stages in the manufacturing process, powder injection moulding is proving to be a real alternative in the manufacture of these kind of complex parts. Magnetic powders The scientists are researching the best combination of metallic powders with a magnetic character (iron, silicon, cobalt, nickel) in order to inject them into a polymer plastic mould that will allow them to create complex parts that are difficult and expensive to produce mechanically. “The great advantage of this technology is that once you design the material, by modifying the mould, it is easy to manufacture millions of pieces that are exactly the same, in a manner that is simple, fast and quite inexpensive,” said Torralba. The plan is to develop a device to replace conventional magnetic materials and develop a new type of
The tidal generators use magnetic components produced using powder injection moulding technology. generator that transforms the mechanical energy produced by the movement of the tides into electric energy. The scientists expect to have the first prototypes of generators made with this technology ready for next year. These devices, which could also be used for wind and other alternative energy source generators, could be put into use in areas where there are strong tidal currents, such as the west coast of Canada, Southeast Asia
and Australia, the Bosporus and, in the case of Spain, the Strait of Gibraltar. The project, called MAGNETIDE, is an R+D project supported by the Seventh Framework Programme, the European Union’s main instrument for funding research. The project is being carried out by a consortium that brings together seven scientific companies and institutions from six European countries.
Union Process makes Attritors for grinding alumina
Union Process Inc’s two twin S-400 Attritors.
Particle size reduction specialist Union Process Inc has built two twin S-400 Attritors for grinding alumina. The customer’s throughput requirements dictated the need for these two large production mills. The starting size of the material was around 300 microns, and Union Process
0026-0657/14 ©2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
was able to reduce the size of the starting material to as small as one to two microns in a very short time (especially when compared to a ball mill). The tanks are constructed of 304 stainless steel, and are ceramic-lined and jacketed for cooling. The shafts are stainless steel and the arms
are sleeved with tungsten carbide. The slurry capacity of each S-400 Attritor is approximately 280-300 gallons. The grinding media loading for each mill is approximately 300 gallons. According to Union Process, each S-400 is powered by a 75 HP, 2-speed, TEFC motor.
May/June 2014 MPR
45
Magnetic MIM parts improve generator efficiency Scientists from Universidad Carlos III in Madrid (UC3M) have developed a new type of tidal energy generator using magnetic MIM parts. The researchers have reportedly modified the generator’s design so that components manufactured using metal injection moulding (MIM) could be installed. This could reduce the cost of these systems as well as increasing their efficiency by up to 30%, according to the scientists’ calculations. “These generators use magnetic components that we are producing using PIM [powder injection moulding] technology, which turns out to be more versatile when it comes to modifying the compositions and makes it possible to get the parts for a lower price,” said José Manuel Torralba, from the university’s Powder Technology Research Group (Grupo de Tecnología de Polvos-GTP), who is coordinating UC3M’s participation in this project. According to a paper that these researchers recently published in the
International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, in which they describe the different stages in the manufacturing process, powder injection moulding is proving to be a real alternative in the manufacture of these kind of complex parts. Magnetic powders The scientists are researching the best combination of metallic powders with a magnetic character (iron, silicon, cobalt, nickel) in order to inject them into a polymer plastic mould that will allow them to create complex parts that are difficult and expensive to produce mechanically. “The great advantage of this technology is that once you design the material, by modifying the mould, it is easy to manufacture millions of pieces that are exactly the same, in a manner that is simple, fast and quite inexpensive,” said Torralba. The plan is to develop a device to replace conventional magnetic materials and develop a new type of
The tidal generators use magnetic components produced using powder injection moulding technology. generator that transforms the mechanical energy produced by the movement of the tides into electric energy. The scientists expect to have the first prototypes of generators made with this technology ready for next year. These devices, which could also be used for wind and other alternative energy source generators, could be put into use in areas where there are strong tidal currents, such as the west coast of Canada, Southeast Asia
and Australia, the Bosporus and, in the case of Spain, the Strait of Gibraltar. The project, called MAGNETIDE, is an R+D project supported by the Seventh Framework Programme, the European Union’s main instrument for funding research. The project is being carried out by a consortium that brings together seven scientific companies and institutions from six European countries.
Union Process makes Attritors for grinding alumina
Union Process Inc’s two twin S-400 Attritors.
Particle size reduction specialist Union Process Inc has built two twin S-400 Attritors for grinding alumina. The customer’s throughput requirements dictated the need for these two large production mills. The starting size of the material was around 300 microns, and Union Process
0026-0657/14 ©2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
was able to reduce the size of the starting material to as small as one to two microns in a very short time (especially when compared to a ball mill). The tanks are constructed of 304 stainless steel, and are ceramic-lined and jacketed for cooling. The shafts are stainless steel and the arms
are sleeved with tungsten carbide. The slurry capacity of each S-400 Attritor is approximately 280-300 gallons. The grinding media loading for each mill is approximately 300 gallons. According to Union Process, each S-400 is powered by a 75 HP, 2-speed, TEFC motor.
May/June 2014 MPR
45