Beckwood to manufacture sheet stretch-forming machine

Wichita, Kansas-based manufacturer of sheet metal aircraft components and assemblies H&R Parts Co. has ordered a 200-ton Triform sheet stretch-forming machine from Beckwood Press Co., St. Louis, Missouri.

“Due to a fire in January 2019, our skin stretch press was destroyed,” says Lon Legleiter, president of H&R Parts Co. “The guys at Beckwood were able to design a press that would fit my existing pit with very few changes. I cannot wait to get the machine installed and up and running.”

Designed for stretch forming aerospace and defense parts made from aluminum sheets up to 3/16" thick and 114" wide, the machine will feature 40" of stroke with a 12" x 100" mounting table that includes a ±15° tilt. The jaws travel horizontally to allow for a maximum distance of 72" and a minimum distance of 18" between them. The segmented jaws provide 6,000 lbf/inch and will allow for clamping of a wide range of sheet sizes.

“In a collaborative effort with the team at H&R Parts, we were able to design a solution that fits their needs and supports their growing operation,” says Beckwood Sales Engineer Caleb Dixon. “This will be H&R’s second Triform machine, and we look forward to continuing our partnership long into the future.”

Solar Atmospheres installs gas nitriding furnace

To support increasing demand for high-value gas nitriding, Solar Atmospheres, Souderton, Pennsylvania, has installed a vacuum gas nitriding furnace built by sister company, Solar Manufacturing.

The front-loading furnace incorporates a state-of-the-art nitriding and recipe system. The automated controls meet AMS2759/10, Automated Gaseous Nitriding Controlled by Nitrogen Potential, in addition to the standard AMS2759/6, Gaseous Nitriding of Low-Alloy Steel Parts. The automated control system is suitable for single- and two-stage (Floe) processing. All hot zone components are made of graphitic materials inert to the anhydrous ammonia used during nitriding.

In addition to a forced gas cooling system, the furnace incorporates a convection heating system. This design increases efficiency and reduces cycle time up to 50%.

Starrag USA relocates warehouse near headquarters

Starrag USA Inc. has moved its parts warehouse from Dallas, Texas, to a site within 10 miles of the company’s Hebron, Kentucky, headquarters for greater logistic control of spare parts inventory.

The 4,500ft² warehouse, 15 minutes from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Int’l Airport (CVG), helps ensure prompt parts delivery to North American customers.

The relocation brings Starrag parts warehousing close to special tooling and equipment warehousing in Hebron, allowing parts and tools to be combined in one shipment.