Page 10 - MetalForming March 2010

Materials&Coatings
White Paper: Aluminum Extrusions for Solar Support Structures
Extrusion Americas, Linthicum, MD, a unit of Norway’s Norsk Hydro, has issued a white paper examining the role of aluminum extrusions as support structures in concentrated solar-power fields. Titled “Seeing the Light: The Use of Aluminum Support Structures in Concentrated Solar Power Energy Generating Facilities,” the paper discusses the machin- ability of the extrusions, to provide optimum strength-to-weight ratios, and the recy- clability of the materials. Download the white paper at www.hydro.com/whitepaper.
Film Prevents Stainless-Steel Discoloration During Laser Cutting
French company Novacel, with U.S. operations in Palmer, MA, has developed a recyclable protective film guaranteed to not bubble or peel off during laser cutting— it’s deal for use on stainless steel to prevent discoloration. Shops can even print brush- ing or polishing directions, as well as cutting patterns, right onto the film. Dubbed Novacel 4226, it’s of UV-resistant low-density polyethylene.
Novacel Inc.: 413/283-3468; www.novacelinc.com
American Nickeloid Doubles Capacity of Precision Processing Line
Coil processor American Nickeloid Co., with plants in Peru, IL, and Walnutport, PA, has upgraded one of its precision leveling and sheeting lines to double machine capacity for its customers that require extremely tight tolerances. The firm process- es plated, polished, laminated and specialty coated products from a variety of sub- strates—steel (cold-rolled, electrogalvanized, hot-dipped galvanized and stainless), copper, brass and aluminum. Thickness ranges from 0.008 to 0.107 in., width from 1 to 60 in., and sheet length from 6 to 144 in.
American Nickeloid Co.: 800/645-5643; www.americannickeloid.com
Biodegradable Cleaning Products Help Metalformers Go Green
Daimer Industries, Woburn, MA, a manufacturer and distributor of commercial clean- ing products, has introduced its Eco-Green eco-friendly cleaning chemicals for use by metalforming shops and in die shops. The line includes degreasers, metal cleaners, parts washers and commercial-grade hand soaps.
Eco-Green formulations are derived from plants and vegetables—no ozone-depleting substances, synthetics or volatile organic compounds are included. The chemicals have been certified as readily biodegradable, and biodegrade by more than 90 percent with- in 28 days, reportedly 50 percent faster than more typically used cleaning products.
Use the Ultra-Power degreaser to penetrate grease, oil and dirt on equipment, tools and industrial flooring; Ultra-Power Parts Washer & Cleaner is a specialized product that also dissolves grease, oil and other organic substances. Use Stainless Steel Shine & Protector to clean, shine and seal stainless-steel surfaces. And, the Hand Wash Cleaner Foam and Hand Wash Cleaner Gel prove to be skin-friendly hand soaps that degrease without any harsh side effects.
Daimer Industries: 888/507-2220; www.daimer.com
Bone Up on Powder- Metallurgy Parts
The Metal Powder Industries Feder- ation (MPIF), Princeton, NJ, has pub- lished a pair of publications on powder- metallurgy (PM) specifications and applications. The PM Automotive Parts Catalog lists more than 750 individual parts in engines, transmissions/transfer cases and body/chassis assemblies rep- resenting more than 300 applications in North American, European and Asian light vehicles. And, MPIF has pub- lished the 2009 edition of its Standard 35, Materials Standards for PM Struc- tural Parts.
Aimed at design and materials engi- neers as well as purchasing agents, the standard offers technical specifi- cations on the industry-approved mate- rials used to make PM parts, including new sinter-hardened steels and the first high-temperature-sintered hybrid low-alloy steel in the as-sintered and heattreated condition.
Metal Powder Industries Federation:
www.mpif.org
Coatings Company
Breaks Ground
in Germany
MetoKote Corp., Lima, OH, special- ists in the application of protective coat- ings, recently broke ground on its first German facility, a 38,000-sq.-ft. plant in Mannheim.
Slated to begin production in July 2010 and employ 50 people at full capacity, the plant will house a power and free electrocoat system with multi-color capability and a part window of 3 ft. by 6 ft. by 11.5 in.
The facility will provide coating serv- ices to its long-time customer John Deere—Mannheim is home to Deere’s European headquarters and tractor-man- ufacturing and engineering facility— and other local companies.
MetoKote Corp.: 419/996-7910; www.metokote.com
8 METALFORMING / MARCH 2010
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