News for February 2012

News Archive

Hitachi Chemical increases powder metal capacity for auto market

Hitachi Chemical Co Ltd's powder metal products manufacturing subsidiary Sintering Technologies Inc, has increased the production capacity of its valve timing control system components by 150%.

Bodycote expands hot isostatic pressing

Bodycote Plc is expanding its hot isostatic pressing capacity with investments in the USA.

Metaldyne expands in Eastern Europe

Metaldyne LLC has acquired a facility in Zbýšov, Czech Republic, to support growth in its forging and machining product lines.

Sandvik sells its medical solutions business

Sandvik is selling its Sandvik Medical Solutions business, which includes contract manufacturing of medical implants and instruments for orthopaedic and dental applications for an undisclosed amount to Orchid Orthopedic Solutions.

Carpenter expands – buys 50 acres of land

Conventional and powder metal specialist Carpenter Technology Corporation is buying 50 acres of land including four buildings in Reading, Pennsylvania, USA, for US$6 million from Reading Industrial Complex.

Freeman Technology sets up US subsidiary

Powder characterisation specialist Freeman Technology has established a formal US subsidiary, Freeman Technology Inc.

ACEA – January passenger car registrations down 7.1%

The registration of passenger cars fell 7.1% in January compared with the same period in 2011, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).

North American Tungsten intersects high tungsten grades

North American Tungsten says it has intersected high tungsten grades at its Cantung Mine in the Northwest Territories.

ERAMET profit slumps in 2011

ERAMET took a 40.5% hit in its net income for 2011, falling to €195 million, despite turnover remaining relatively flat at €3.6 billion.

Directory with ferro-alloy producers and traders

Research and Markets has published a Global Ferro-Alloy Directory 2012 covering both producers and traders.

MV Products intros vacuum inlet trap protecting MIM pumps

MV Products has introduced a multiple stage vacuum inlet trap that protects vacuum pumps in metal injection moulding (MIM), vacuum compression moulding, and vacuum hydraulic press processes which produce destructive byproducts.

PPG publishes coatings brochure for auto parts

PPG Industries has published a brochure with its full line of coatings and pretreatment products for automotive parts and accessories.

Böhler Edelstahl expands metal powder capacity

Böhler Edelstahl is expanding its metal powder capacity in a two-year investment project totalling €16 million.

Ceradyne soars in 2011

Ceradyne saw a near tripling in its net income for 2011 with an increase of 186% to US$83.9 million as sales grew 42% to US$572m.

Federal-Mogul supplies sintered bearings for world's largest clock

Federal-Mogul Corporation has supplied its deva-bm self-lubricating sintered bearings for the world’s largest tower clock, the Makkah Clock Royal Tower at the Fairmont Hotel in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

MAGNETICS 2012 discount for MPIF members

MAGNETICS 2012 taking place in Orlando, Florida, USA on 13-14 March, is offering a discounted rate to all MPIF members.

MPIF publishes 2012 Edition of Standard Test Methods

MPIF has published the 2012 Edition of the Standard Test Methods for Metal Powder and Powder Metallurgy Products.

PowderMet 2012 opens for registration

PowderMet 2012, to be held in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, on 10-13 June, is now open for registrations.

South Africa launches additive manufacturing platform and- aerospace manufacturing centre

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa, together with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), National Research Foundation (NRF), Aerospace Industry Support Initiative (AISI) and Aerosud, is launching an additive manufacturing platform.

China automotive industry zooming ahead

The Chinese automotive industry has witnessed a huge development as consumers have more purchasing power, and road infrastructure has improved.

Thermal Technology ships metal powder hot press

Thermal Technology has built a graphite 500,000 pound force capacity hot press to produce large powder metallurgy semiconductor materials.

Sandvik Coromant calls tungsten carbide recycling a “business opportunity”

Metal cutting tools specialist Sandvik Coromant is moving its tungsten carbide recycling programme in the US to its business services organisation, saying recycling is not just a benefit for the environment, but also an added business opportunity.

PTI buys injection moulds company Polmold

Polymer Technologies Inc. (PTI), which specialises in plastic and metal injection moulding, is acquiring the Wallington, NJ-based manufacturer and repair shop for injection moulds, tools, dies and fixtures, Polmold.

KEMET says closing of tantalum mine leaves it unaffected

The recent closing of Global Advanced Metal's Wodgina, Australia, tantalum mine will not negatively affect KEMET Corporation's tantalum powder supply.

Höganäs sees profit decline 5% in 2011

Höganäs says its net income fell 5% to SEK762 million in 2011 due to inventory adjustments.

ASTM elects Thornton as Metal Powder Chairman

ASTM International Committee B09 on Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products has elected Anthony W. Thornton, Director of Product Integrity and Performance and a Senior Product Scientist at Micromeritics Instrument Corp, as its new Chairman.

Pometon Powder opens Indian subsidiary

Ferrous and non-ferrous metal powder provider Pometon Powder is opening a subsidiary in Pune, India, with the goal of establishing a permanent presence in a growing market.

Seco Tools intros turning products with new carbide grades

Seco Tools is introducing a new generation of turning products with carbide grades TK1001 and TK2001 for use in cast iron machining, hard and abrasive alloy machining.

Workshop for aerospace suppliers

The National Metals Technology Centre is organising a two-day workshop on Metals for Aerospace in Rotherham, UK, on 6-7 March.

ACuPowder consolidates operations to NJ

ACuPowder International LLC is relocating its operations at Greenback, Tennesse, USA, to its facilities in Union, New Jersey.

3D printing used to make patient-specific titanium jaw 3D printing used to make patient-specific titanium jaw

LayerWise has produced a patient-specific titanium lower jaw implant reconstruction using 3D laser metal powder printing techniques.

KEMET buys tantalum powder supplier Niotan

KEMET Corporations is acquiring all outstanding shares in tantalum powder manufacturer Niotan Incorporated for an initial purchase price of US$30 million plus deferred payments of US$45m over a 30-month period.

Chinese powder metal industry steaming ahead

The Chinese powder metal industry is set to continue its growth, according to powder metallurgy consultancy MATE.

Discounted registration nears for MIM2012

The deadline for registering at a discount for the MIM2012 International Conference on Injection Moulding of Metals, Ceramics and Carbide, is 17 February.

GKN Sinter Metals exibits at World Filtration Congress

GKN Sinter Metals Filters will exhibit at the 11th World Filtration Congress in Graz, Austria, on 16-20 April, together with KIK Kunststofftechnik.

Sumitomo Electric launches nano-polycrystalline diamond cutting tools Sumitomo Electric launches nano-polycrystalline diamond cutting tools

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd is launching micromachining cutting tools tipped with nano-polycrystalline diamond, Sumidia Binderless.

Uralelectromed could double powder metal capacity by 2016

Uralelectromed, a subsidiary of Russia's Ural Mining & Metallurgical Company, is expanding its powder metal capacity by installing new presses and a sintering furnace.

Matsuura presents laser sintering milling hybrid

Matsuura Japan has developed the one process solution LUMEX Avance-25 metal laser sintering/high-speed milling hybrid machine tool.

Yokogawa intros magnetic flowmeters with ceramic lining

Yokogawa is presenting its magnetic flowmeters with ceramic lining, which are seeing increased use in biotechnology industries as the ceramic linings have desirous properties for sanitary applications.

Kennametal sees 68% surge in Q2 net income

Kennametal has reported a 68% surge in net income to US$74.5 million in the second quarter, ended December 2011.

EPMA launches 2012 Powder Metallurgy Thesis Competition

The European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA) is launching the 2012 PM Thesis Competition at both Diploma (Masters) and Doctorate (PhD) levels, to develop an interest in and to promote powder metallurgy among young scientists in Europe.