Machining – more specifically, the tools that make removing metal possible

Decades ago there was only one option: High-speed tool steels such as molybdenum types M2, M4, M50, and the tungsten series T15 for example....

Finding the perfect heat treat

Three on the tree; four-on-the-floor; four speed automatic; five speed manual; six speed automatic; six speed manual; seven, eight, and nine speed automatic…where will...

Getting the right training

If I’ve told you once I’ve told you a thousand times: Close the door — and don’t slam it!  That command, albeit in a...

Gas vs. electricity

Do you have gas? Every year we encounter at least one OEM or new heat treater looking at heat treating in-house, and we ask...

Common methods and processes for heat-treating equipment

Over the course of months, I’ve discussed furnace equipment mostly related to the carburizing, hardening, and quenching of gears and other drivetrain components, but...

Nitriding continues to gain market share as a case hardening process

By the time you read this column, the 6th International Quenching and Control of Distortion Conference will have been concluded four weeks prior. Dozens...

Orders increase for pusher furnaces for those planning to employ oil press quenching to...

Several columns ago I said we were receiving indications that there was a renewed interest in pusher furnaces for carburizing … well that sure...

Before bringing heat-treating in-house, study existing outsource processes so transition is seamless

Your company anticipates increased competition in your market so bringing heat treating in-house is one of your cost control strategies. First, you identify per part...

91 percent of survey respondents dunk quench in oil. So, why does LPC continue...

Twelve years ago I commissioned a study to identify trends in the heat treating industry where part of that survey involved three processes: traditional...

Shallow case hardening in mesh belt, cast link belt furnaces acceptable when fixturing is...

Images of pushers are the likely style that comes to mind when people first think of continuous furnaces. When deep case and fixtured quenching...

Debate: Generator manufactured endothermic gas vs. nitrogen-methanol as a carburizing atmosphere

Recently in my world the topic of nitrogen-methanol as a carburizing atmosphere has emerged as an item of interest by an existing user seeking...

With proper design, pusher furnaces have many advantages

When anyone familiar with the high production carburizing of gears is asked to offer an opinion about pusher furnaces, they inevitability say “what else...

For carburizing, quenching gears, pusher furnaces outpace drivetrain carburizing when compared to other furnace...

In the heyday of high-volume carburizing during the sixties and seventies, all of the automotive OEM’s maintained their own in-house heat treats; commercial job...

Only the plasma process can come close to matching CGN’s speed with equal or...

With the reach of the Internet and its influence on technology sharing, you would think that by now we in the United States would...

Russian Catalytic Gas Nitriding process has migrated to the U.S., could alter thinking of...

Heat treating is often a conflict in terms: Heat, then cool as fast as possible while trying to reduce distortion. Case hardening steel is...

We need a nitriding process combining speed and control of plasma, without the degree...

In the last four weeks my work has taken me to Austria, Slovakia, Wiesbaden, Germany, Russia, and Cincinnati, Ohio, all having to do with...

Thinking of bringing heat-treat process in-house? Benefits exist, but there are many factors to...

“Show me the money!” Rod Tidwell challenged Jerry Maguire with that line in the movie of the same name, and it’s also the comeback...

Heat treaters of old were onto something heating and cooling in steps to reduce...

Maybe our grandfathers had it right after all when it comes to controlling distortion in heat treating. Before there was X-ray defraction, Computational Fluid...

Heat treating has evolved, but all involved must still choose the most cost effective...

Look around you sometime. Whether you’re in a car driving to work or shopping in a mall, metal is everywhere. Dental tools are made...

Transporting carburizing media to the target

In last month’s column I touched on some aspects of atmosphere and vacuum carburizing furnaces. The following is a comparison of the physical relationship...