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Solar Atmospheres heat treats critical Orion spacecraft part

On Dec. 5, 2014, NASA’s new Orion spacecraft launched successfully from Cape Canaveral and completed its first test flight. The launch abort system (LAS), a critical part of the safety system, was vacuum heat treated by Solar Atmospheres of Western PA. The large manifold housing made from 6AI 4V titanium is designed to rapidly propel astronauts away from the main rocket in case of a catastrophic explosion or any other unexpected event. Once fired, the LAS will accelerate the astronauts away from the main rocket at up to 15 G-force.

“The welded component needed to be homogenously treated to insure peak performance in the event the LAS would be needed,” explains Michael Johnson, sales manager. “Precise temperature monitoring of the part and uniformity of the furnace was the easy part, while minimizing distortion, and avoiding eutectics with the fixturing materials used, were ultimately the real challenge.”

The process was successful on the prototype and the three additional manifolds that followed. www.solaratm.com

Seco Tools expands carbide recycling program

Seco Tools LLC collected 15% more used carbide in 2014 than the previous year for its North American Carbide Recycling Program. The company received 350 returns during the year and processed 144,877 lb (65,715kg) of used carbide tools. Since the recycling program began in 2011, Seco Tools, globally, has received more than a half million pounds (226,796kg) of carbide returned as grade powder.

“We are deeply committed to sustainability and being a leader in environmental initiatives,” explains Robert Keenan, president of Seco Tools. “It’s an important part of our corporate culture that is integrated throughout everything we do. Plus, our customers appreciate the opportunity this program provides to them to contribute to a cleaner, safer environment.”

Seco provides participating manufacturers with storage containers ranging from 1-pint, holding about 11 lb (5kg) of carbide, up to 30-gallon drums that hold 2,000 lb (910kg). Any carbide product can be placed in the containers, and Seco collects the containers and pays manufacturers at the market rate for the returned carbide. www.secotools.com/recycling

HANNOVER MESSE to feature process automation forum

Industrial process automation will be on show April 13-17, 2015, in Halls 9 and 11 at HANNOVER MESSE 2015. One of the keynote themes, alongside classic process automation topics such as life cycle management and field instrumentation, will be Industry 4.0 – the convergence of key trends such as the Internet of Things; increasingly complex hardware, software, and logistics systems; and advanced control technology – creating the intelligent, self-organizing factory of the future.

On April 16, experts from around the world will gather for the MES Conference on Efficient Production to present successfully implemented manufacturing projects.

Another automation-themed event is the PUMPplaza showcase for pumps, pump systems, and components in Hall 15, showing a range of solutions for handling liquids and gases.

The Industrial Automation Forum will explore production and process automation themes in robotics and automation. Held in Hall 14 within the Industrial Automation part of the show, the forum is a meeting hub for visitors. The program for the Industrial Automation Forum is on the HANNOVER MESSE website. www.hannovermesse.de/home

MP Systems: THINC Partner of the Year

East Granby, Connecticut-based MP Systems Inc., a manufacturer and supplier of high-pressure coolant systems used in CNC manufacturing, was chosen by Okuma America Corp. distributors as Partner of the Year among all members of Partners in THINC. MP Systems ranked highest in a survey in categories including engagement and involvement with the distributor, product and service quality, responsiveness to service inquiries, and responsiveness to pre-sale support requests.

MP Systems also scored a high awareness factor, included so partners can gauge how much customers know about and understand their products.

“We honor them for their achievements and thank them for exemplary support of our distributors,” says Partners in THINC Director Jeff Estes.

Partners in THINC is a collaboration network of more than 50 industry leaders who solve problems and explore new productivity ideas for real-world manufacturers. www.okuma.com/partners-in-thinc; www.mp-systems.net