Metalworking News

Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management, has acquired single-source metalworking supplier Samtan Engineering Corporation based in Malden, Mass. Samtan’s metalworking services expand FMD’s portfolio with shearing, punching, forming, machining, fabrication and assembly capabilities.“Our acquisition of Samtan Engineering Corporation allows Fairbanks Morse Defense to continue delivering value far beyond the cost of our services through the seamless integration of metal-stamped products and machine shop services,” said FMD CEO George Whittier.

The Hepburn and Sons LLC team welcomed David Rice, CAPT David Bauer, USN (Ret), and Gary Loberg as their newest members. David Rice serves as Senior Consultant, Material Science. David Bauer will serve as the Senior Manager, Material Science. Gary Loberg serves as Senior Manager, Advisory Services.David Rice comes to Hepburn and Sons, LLC after a career spanning 45 years at Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS). During his time at NNS he served as the Manager of Contracted Research & Development and was responsible for Research & Development Programs funded by ONR/ManTech…

Damen Shipyards Galati has opened an exhibition in the Lower Danube University in the Romanian city of Galati, displaying an extensive collection of historical maritime memorabilia.The exhibition is part of the yard’s 125 year anniversary celebrations that began with the annual Shipbuilder’s Day festivities on 15 August.The exhibition opened on 1 September with a ceremony attended by numerous invited guests including Damen Shipyards Group Board President Jason Bronscheer and the mayor of the city of Galati, Ionut Pucheanu.Containing various items such as photographs, postcards, maps, books and other special pieces, the exhibition – open until 30 December – thus reflects the rich maritime heritage that has been grown at the yard since its founding in 1893.Some items…

The first 3D-printed nozzle ring for marine turbochargers has been developed using exotic super metal alloy, enables the reconstruction of worn out components for shorter repair times. According to the technology’s developer, Tru-Marine, the premature erosion of nozzle rings has been a commonly reported problem, and in such situations, spare part replacements are often unavailable and come with long lead times at high costs. The company has therefore developed proprietary processes in 3D printing…

Many plastics and metallic alloys present machining challenges as some deform and are difficult to maintain exacting tolerances, while others require strict and costly adherence to environmental regulations. Vesconite claims to solve these issues with a high-performance bearing polymer that is easy to tool on standard metalworking equipment, nontoxic and environmentally-friendly. Vesconite is an advanced, internally-lubricated polymer that reliably performs in wet, dirty and corrosive environments, the manufacturer said.

Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) to showcase technologies at Navy League's upcoming Sea-Air-Space Exposition. CTC is an independent, nonprofit, applied scientific research and development professional services organization providing innovative management and technology-based solutions to government and industry. The organization will highlight a number of innovative technologies and solutions that have assisted, and will continue to assist, the Navy League with their mission of maritime policy education and sea service support. •    Laser Coatings Removal System. CTC's award-winning laser coatings removal system uses a continuous wave laser to strip paint and other coatings from aircraft.

Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Carderock received a patent Nov. 13 for their discovery and development of a new smart material called Galfenol. Galfenol is a magnetostrictive smart material that can be used in sensors, actuators and structural supports. The material was co-discovered in 1999 by NSWC Carderock and the Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory and has been in development for the past 13 years in partnership with Etrema Products Inc. "By itself, iron has the characteristics to be considered a magnetostrictive material…

Severnaya Verf shipyard won the governmental contract in the Russian Defense Ministry's online open auction for three ARC4 ice-class seagoing supply vessels. The auction was held by the Federal Agency for Military Procurements Rosoboronpostavka. Once the contract is signed, Severnaya Verf will start metalworking for the first supply ship no later than in Dec 2012. The shipyard will deliver the first vessel in Nov 2014, the second one – in Nov 2015, and the third one – in Nov 2016. Through recent years, the shipyard has exported two offshore drilling platform replenishment ships.

ShipTech 2012 will be held on February 14-15 at the Rosen Plaza in Orlando, FL. Deadline for Abstracts has been extended to October 28th 2011. ShipTech 2012 is currently accepting abstracts for presentations on technology initiatives that improve U.S. shipbuilding and repair efficiencies and reduce total ownership cost through the use of innovative systems, processes or technologies. ShipTech 2012 is sponsored by the Office of Naval Research – Navy Manufacturing Center and the National Shipbuilding Research Program.

While maritime activity showing renewed signs of life along the entire Pacific Coast, from Prince Rupert to San Diego, shipbuilding is becoming ever-more dependant on the US Navy and Jones Act ships, while ship-repair yards are focused on a broad spectrum of boats and ships. In California, some of that work has focused on re-powering harbor craft to meet the state’s stringent environmental regulations. Along the Columbia River, shipyards remain centered on meeting the on-going demand for ocean-going barges…

The 13th annual ShipTech event will be held at the Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi, March 9-10, 2010. ShipTech 2010 is cosponsored by the Office of Naval Research's (ONR) Manufacturing Technology Program (ManTech) and the National Shipbuilding Research Program (NRSP) and is facilitated by the Navy Metalworking Center. Intended for the domestic shipbuilding industry, its supplier base, Navy Program Offices and Navy-sponsored shipbuilding research programs, ShipTech is organized to present research, best practices and what is currently being done to reduce total ownership costs of naval ships while enhancing the competitiveness of the domestic shipbuilding industry.

ASNE Day 2009 takes place April 8-9, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD. The event will explore how the 21st century cooperative strategy and related maritime efforts are impacting naval engineering while answering the questions—what technical areas must be emphasized to enable and support this strategy, what are the implications for the way future naval engineers are educated and developed, and what improvements are needed in naval engineering tools and processes? •    U.S. •    U.S. What is Our Goal? •    RDML Robert L. •    RDML Joseph R. •    BGen Andrew W. Moderator: Mr. Asst. Moderator: Ms. •    Mr. Asst. Moderator: Mr. •    General Dynamics—Mr. •    Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding—Mr. •    Lockheed Martin—Mr. •    Boeing—RADM John V. Asst.

At a time when many industrial operators are having trouble securing credit, Koike Aronson/Ransome Inc. has joined with a major capital equipment lender to offer Equipment Leasing Financing to Koike’s customers in the U.S. and Canada. Koike Aronson’s business units and field representatives now have the ability to provide their customers with an indicated monthly payment, using a $1 buyout or a 10% purchase option, with terms of 36, 48 or 60 months. In addition, Koike Aronson/Ransome, Inc., now covers all of its positioner products with a Two Year Standard Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. The new Two Year Warranty applies to every model in the Koike Aronson/Ransome positioning equipment line.

More than ever, emphasis on fuel quality — what goes in and what comes out — is a top agenda item of lawmakers and vessel owners alike. With ever tightening pressure on vessel owners to lower consumption and emission numbers, similar pressure has been applied to the maritime supply market to make engines, systems and products that help achieve this end. Algae-X offers a line of fuel conditioning products that it touts as helping owners, both large and small, to meet and exceed the rigors of running profitable, environmentally compliant vessel. "The Port of Everglades Pilots have been using the Algae-X unit for almost two years, and we can honestly say it works," said a letter from the Pilot Association's Boat Maintenance Department, distributed by Algae-X.

As the casino riverboat industry celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, there's little resemblance between the first reproduction 1890s paddlewheelers that a decade ago plied the upper Mississippi River in Iowa and today's luxurious floating casino resort complexes with their plethora of amenities. Pinnacle Entertainment's $200 million Belterra Casino Resort in Belterra, Ind., which opened last Oct. 27, epitomizes this trend. The Belterra coincidentally and unintentionally also pays tribute to the industry's hallmark 10th anniversary - which is traditionally celebrated with a gift of aluminum or tin - through use of an innovative technique.