Astech Inc., Vassar, Mich., recently introduced longer lasting alloyed links for blast machines to reduce downtime and link cost.

Astech has developed a new chemistry to provide longer lasting links compared to links made by OEMs. Longer lasting links mean less down time spent replacing links as well as reduced replacement costs. 

AlumiSeal from IMPCO Inc., East Providence, R.I., is a brush-on methacrylate compound specifically formulated for sealing porosity in aluminum parts and welds that will contain liquids or gases under pressure. AlumiSeal’s unique chemistry and low dynamic viscosity enable it to wick deeply into pores or seams and between close-fitting non-ferrous metal surfaces. Once AlumiSeal has cured, any excess material on the surface of the part is rinsed away with water, leaving the surface clean and ready for painting or other finishing. AlumiSeal does not alter critical surface dimensions.

Viridis3D recently expanded its research facility, and launched a new website, showcasing its expertise in 3D metal casting solutions.

Viridis3D recently doubled its facilities from 2,000 to 4,000 sq. ft. by opening a new research office in Charlestown, Mass. The corporate headquarters and sales office remain in Lowell, Mass.

The expansion provides space for continued development of its 3D printing sand casting products for both ferrous and nonferrous alloys. Viridis3D core competencies includes: licensing, developing, and commercializing new materials for additive manufacturing.

With Viridis3D products and training, metal casters can go from CAD to casting in as little as 24 hours, making this an ideal solution for prototypes, low volume production, and quickly incorporating design or material changes--allowing companies to get their product to market faster and expand the range of design possibilities.

Viridis3D's new website www.viridis3d.com details how 3D printing works along with pricing for all of the materials.

“Viridis3D is in an expansion mode and pleased to bring products that any metal caster can deploy quickly," said Viridis3D  President Will Shambley. "3D printed molds, cores and patterns have been successfully used in these markets: pump & fluid flow, transportation, architecture, restorations, fine arts and consumer parts industries.”

Viridis3D is an all-inclusive supplier of ‘additive manufacturing technology’ for making sand molds and cores for foundry and ceramics applications. Viridis3D sells materials, 3D printing machines, software, scanners, and the training needed to successfully deploy 3D printed casting solutions.                  

Morgan Thermal Ceramics now offers Superwool Plus high temperature fiber insulation. Ideal for repairing and lining aluminum furnaces, it reduces the frequency of relining operations when compared to the industry standard. Improved insulation efficiency also results in decreased operating costs.

A breakthrough in the company's advanced manufacturing control has allowed the product to be engineered to maximize the fiber content. As a result, Superwool Plus insulating fiber has up to 20 percent lower thermal conductivity than competitive fiber insulation materials. The maximized fiber content reduces radiant heat transfer and makes Superwool Plus insulation an excellent choice for lining heat-treat furnaces for aluminum and other non-ferrous metals, homogenizing furnaces for aluminum casters, as well as in expansion joints in the brick linings of carbon anode bake furnaces.

As an added benefit, all Superwool insulating fibers are non-wetting to molten aluminum. This reduces the concerns about metal adherence and penetration into the fibers, which is particularly useful in aluminum smelting and casting operations where molten metal is present.

When used in conjunction with Superwool Sealcoat HT coating, Superwool Plus fiber seals expansion joints and prevents carbon infiltration. The combination retains the expansion joint seal for three to five furnace cycles, in comparison with a standard fiber blanket that must be reapplied every cycle. Since relining the furnace is a labor and time-intensive operation, reducing the number of times expansion joints must be refilled decreases labor time and costs. In addition, the use of low biopersistent Superwool materials and the reduction in relining operations adds a health and safety benefit due to the challenging working conditions associated with expansion joint relining.

In addition to Superwool Plus insulating fiber, vacuum boards made of Superwool 607 and Superwool 607 HT are widely used in aluminum melting furnaces as backup, particularly in the hearth area. The material's compressibility and resilience does not deform steel nor cause cracks in the lower hearth portion of the furnace.

Guyson Corporation has introduced a wide body industrial pressure-blast cabinet with two operator work stations, each having its own view window and independently adjustable blast nozzle. The customized dual station Model 7 shot blasting system allows a single user to change positions and conveniently reach all aspects of a five-foot-long component, or two people can blast simultaneously.

The overall dimensions of the shot blast chamber are 36" H x 60" W x 36" D. A full width side-hinged door allows frontal access, with a slam-shut 19 x 19-inch door on the right side of the cabinet. Additional height for loading tall components can be gained by raising the top-hinged upper section of the cabinet front. All doors have safety interlocks that prevent operation of the blast machine until securely closed. Two sets of padded armholes with shoulder-length attached gloves are provided.

Stainless steel shot is collected at the base of the blast cabinet and pneumatically conveyed up to a cyclone media reclaimer that separates dust and fines before feeding reusable shot to the system’s 3.5 cubic foot capacity pressure vessel. The pressure pot automatically recharges with fresh shot whenever both foot pedals are released. Two metering valves are located at the bottom of the pressure vessel to enable control of the shot flow to each pressure-blast nozzle. The blasting pressure of each nozzle is also individually regulated.

The shot-blast system is completed by a dust collector with an extraction capacity of 1,000 to 2,000 cubic feet of air per minute, which maintains negative pressure in the blast cabinet and balances the flow of air to the media reclaimer. The optional wet dust collector illustrated is suitable for collection of potentially flammable dusts that may be generated when processing components made of titanium, magnesium or other reactive metals and their alloys.

Abrasion protection features supplied to resist the harsh mechanical forces of shot blasting include bonded rubber lining of the blast enclosure, cast urethane ducting to the reclaimer, lining of the cyclone inlet elbow, body and cone, as well as boron carbide lined blast nozzles.

Prospective users of industrial cabinet-blast equipment are encouraged to submit sample components for free laboratory testing and application engineering evaluation at the blast machine builder's factory in northeastern New York State.

IMSEAL-800, a high-strength epoxy resin, seals gross (visible) porosity in castings and other metal parts. It completely and permanently fills blowholes, cracks, and other such defects where welding or brazing would be impractical. Available from IMPCO, Inc., the clear, multi-purpose sealant is drawn deep beneath the surface, penetrating and filling the void and creating a pressure-tight seal.

Rustlick has announced the release of a new long lasting semi-synthetic coolant, Ultracut 380R for a wide range of machining and grinding applications.

R&D Chemist Leroy Hitchcock said, “Ultracut 380R uses the newest lubrication and antimicrobial technologies for a coolant that provides an ideal balance of operating performance and durability in the sump.”

Foseco’s STELEX PrO range of carbon bonded ceramic filters now incorporates a new, unique and innovative ProBond carbon bonding technology that improves the overall performance of the filter. This technology has been developed after an extensive program of research and customer evaluations.

Blastcrete Equipment Co.’s ultra-high pressure X-10 Pump is a 3-inch swing tube pump capable of pumping up to 12 cu. yards of refractory material per hour. It can handle aggregate up to 0.75-inch diameter. Offering the highest piston face pressure in the industry at 2,200 PSI, it can pump material in excess of 500 ft., horizontally and vertically.