Search Results for productivity

A new welding process known as hybrid induction arc welding (HIAW) or high deposition arc welding (HiDep) uses a hybrid approach to reduce—or even eliminate—weld distortion and greatly increase productivity. Operating directly in front of the arc welding torch, a portable induction coil heats the surfaces of the weld to, or near, the melting point. Heat generated by the welding arc is primarily used to melt the welding wire. This novel process operates at speeds two to four times faster than conventional arc welding and substantially reduces weld distortion.

Advances in additive manufacturing have enabled functional grading and multi-material deposition to produce “4D printed” parts that are net or near net shape; creating highly complex features that are difficult to produce with conventional manufacturing processes. This article addresses the fundamental challenge of how to ensure that the design, manufacturing, and functional intent for 4D printed parts can be accurately and unambiguously communicated across the design, manufacturing, inspection, and supply value chain. The use case of a generic mini-gripper sheds light on the benefits that a new standard could bring to the engineering and design of shape memory materials.

The scattered rhenium in the environment around copper and molybdenum mines and copper processing factories is a potential source for rhenium production. Phytomining is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly method for extracting rhenium and remediating exhausted soils near copper mines and ore-dressing regions.

The continually increasing demand for new energy will likely be met through a combination of traditional and emerging energy platforms. While technology needs for traditional oil and gas production differ greatly from the needs of emerging power generation platforms, such as solar, wind, fuel cells, and batteries, a common need among all these sources or energy is advanced materials. Tantalum surface alloys enable advancements in traditional and new energy production methods.

When the first aluminum hood launched in 1977, the mills were delivering rectangular blanks separated by paper to protect the delicate outer surfaces. This article reviews important advances in aluminum forming and heat treating in the latter part of the twentieth century.

Field assisted sintering is a breakthrough technique for producing aluminum matrix composites that could replace high-density materials in a variety of applications.

Automakers and aluminum producers make headway in lightweight vehicle development in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Industry consolidation, lubricant concerns, and springback issues continued to test automakers and materials producers as they worked toward aluminum-intensive vehicles in the first decade of the twenty-first century.

A joint research project has been initiated to develop surface treatments that comply with European Union REACH regulations, which address the production and use of chemical substances and their impact on human health and the environment. This article describes the roles of the partner organizations in the project.

A joint Canadian venture launches a new facility with an innovative hybrid approach to cold spray additive manufacturing. The technology platform combines multiple manufacturing steps in a single cold spray additive manufacturing (CSAM) unit, incorporating surface preparation, cold spray forming and buildup, local laser-based thermal treatment, and in-situ sequential robotic machining and semi-finishing.

Monel 400 was used as a decorative building material from 1905 to the mid-1930s, when it was replaced by stainless steel. This article discusses the development and commercialization of this short-lived architectural metal, also known as nickel alloy 400.

A look at Monel after decades of exposure to the environment shows more work is needed to address the lack of scientific research and information in the conservation literature. Three case studies are presented related to the analysis of Monel artifacts.

In steel production, an automated particle workflow can increase the efficiency and statistical relevance of nanosized precipitate analyses, resulting in increased productivity and accuracy.

A look at processing and production of iron during the Iron Age, 1200 to 500 B.C., including early unintentional forms of steel.

Several industries are now expanding robot integration beyond production tasks into new areas such as testing, where it has been shown to increase throughput and eliminate operator influence.

Binder jet 3D metal printing is the ultimate bridge between prototypes and production of metal injection molded parts.

Accurate and continuous dew point measurement is key to maintaining the atmosphere required to achieve high quality and consistency of sintered products in powder metallurgy processing.

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of pyrolytic chromium carbide coatings (PCCCs) is proving to be a viable alternative to hard chrome plating used on cylinder piston group components. This article discusses the development and optimization of a CVD process for depositing PCCCs on piston rings and cylinder sleeves. It evaluates the coatings based on friction, wear, and adhesion properties in comparison with coatings produced by other methods.

Induction hardening parts with small grain size achieves higher fracture strengths, but close control of thermal cycles is required to prevent grain growth.

Proper specification, measurement, and control of annealing furnace atmospheres are critical to reduce sooting, oxidation, sticking, and distortion. This article describes how to effectively design and utilize a nitrogen-hydrogen annealing atmosphere.