It was recognized, in 2012, that the agreement needed to be updated and strengthened in order to achieve its goals and objectives. And in January of 2017, the First Triennial Assessment of Progress on Great Lake Water Quality was published with the intent to provide “a catalyst for public engagement.” The International Joint Commission (IJC) is seeking answers and opinions from individuals who “value the Great Lakes and wish to see them sustainably used and protected.”
Now, the IJC wants you to share your views on the progress by both governments. Citizens in both countries can participate in a series of online and in-person discussions and meetings until April 15, 2017. Your ideas will contribute to the IJC’s first assessment of progress made by the governments to restore and protect the Great Lakes under the revised 2012 Agreement.
SIFCO ASC, why are you sharing this information?
The Great Lakes are the largest system of fresh water on earth. According to the Chamber of Marine Commerce, the Great Lakes Seaway provides 277,000 jobs, produces $35 billion in business revenue and “supports the economic health of North America’s industrial heartland and consumer market of more than 100 million people.” Protecting and maintaining the health of the lakes is as easy as practicing safe disposal practices.
When SIFCO Process plating solutions have been used to their maximum potential, they are considered a hazardous waste, and must be disposed of in accordance with EPA regulations. You must never dispose of any plating solution via your local drain or sewer.
Maxed out solutions and rinse waters can be mixed together in an appropriate hazardous waste container. These, liquid wastes, can be accumulated in a (UNIHI) Molded Polyethylene Drum.
Whereas, solid wastes (such as anodes, covers, tapes, and wipes) can be stored in a (UN1H2) open head plastic drum.
SIFCO strongly recommends a waste log to record the quantity and type of waste entered into the drum to aid in waste profiling when shipping the drums to an approved treatment, storage, and disposal facility.
For technical assistance with environmental and waste issues, contact our Safety Department.
SIFCO Applied Surface Concepts
5708 Schaaf Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44131-1394
PHONE: (216) 524-0099
FAX: (216) 524-6331
European Manufacturing Facility
Unit 12-14
Aston Fields Trading Estate
Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
(B60 3EX) England
PHONE: 011 44 1527-557740
FAX: 011 44 1527-832856
Maintaining the health of our bodies of water and waterways, is not only the responsibility of our governments, but those who live near and around them.
While by the end of the decade as much as 38,000 megawatts of wind turbines are due to be fixed to the sea floor; the shire of Aberdeen, Scotland could be reaping the benefits by the end of the year. Establishing themselves as the leading nation in “innovation and deployment of floating offshore wind,” Scotland has already granted planning permission for 92 megawatts of capacity from multiple renewable energy developers.
While Norway’s Statoil was the first to receive approval in May 2016; the largest farm is that of Scotland’s Kincardine Offshore Windfarm Ltd., who received approval in March 2017. Kincardine will erect eight six-megawatt turbines about 10 miles off the coast of Aberdeen and have the ability to power 56,000 homes.
Other floating wind farm projects include:
Ireland’s Gaelectric Holdings Plc. and France’s Ideol SAS approved for Irish waters.
Sweden’s Hexicon AB off the coast of Inverness
Japan’s Toda Corp. off the coast of Nagasaki
This budding technology was inspired by the offshore oil industry; whose rigs have weathered the heavy winds and ocean depths for decades. The floating turbines will require less cost and material than traditional offshore turbines which are sunk to the sea floor up to depths of 40 meters or more. Floating on a steel tube containing a ballast, the base of each turbine will then be tethered to the sea floor for support.
The coast of Scotland has some of the strongest winds, making it an ideal location for the wind farms. But the battering winds and sea water combine to create an extremely corrosive environment. Surface finishes of sacrificial coatings and wear resistant materials for turbine shafts can extend equipment lifetime and reduce scrap rates. With proven results from the offshore oil and gas industry, using the SIFCO Process for on-site, in-place electroplating of journal shafts and bearing housings, repairs can be completed within one operating shift – keeping the turbines operational for longer.
Success of these projects is critical, as islands with less resources and land mass could rely on offshore wind farms for their energy needs. Scotland and the developers are counting on the expertise gained while working in the off shore oil and gas industry and other marine environments to create clean energy in order to reach their goal of generating half of all energy from renewable sources by 2030.
As the oil market declines, and the available land and resources continue to diminish, offshore wind energy is filling the need as a promising energy solution.
For more information on the SIFCO Process, and selective plating repairs, contact info@sifcoasc.com or 800-765-4131.
In the oil and gas industry, equipment operates in harsh environments. Components expected to withstand wear, corrosion, fluctuations in temperature and pressure, and operators need repair solutions that can be completed in as little time as possible – producing outstanding results which can keep the components protected from further damage.
SIFCO ASC has perfected a process which can repair large components such as BOP assembly components, tubing hanger bodies, inner mandrels, cylinders, casings, riser joints, and more. Some without the need for disassembly.
The SIFCO Process® of selective plating is unique. It’s a portable method of electroplating localized areas without the use of an immersion tank. The deposit is applied to worn or damaged areas to resize, repair or improve the performance of the component. The extremely adherent deposits are applied uniformly and accurately, in some cases eliminating the need for post machining. What’s more, SIFCO ASC’s experienced and qualified workforce hold certifications to work on oil platforms, allowing for quick deployment when needed.
The SIFCO Process® is highly regarded in the oil and gas industry and used on many OEM and repair applications. While all deposits are applied in strict adherence to any specification or quality requirement, the process already meets specifications from FMC, GE Oil & Gas, Halliburton, Schlumberger, Tenaris-Hydril, Vallourec and VAM.
SIFCO ASC is equipped to support the industry and reduce the threat of corrosion while meeting the key challenges of extending equipment life, reducing downtime and reducing operating costs.
To extend your equipment’s service life, or if you would like more information on our oil and gas services, visit our webpage. Contact us today at 800-765-4131 or info@sifcoasc.com
In previous blogs, we’ve covered certain brush plating conditions the operator has direct control over to assure a quality deposit, such as: anode-to-cathode speed and plating temperature. In total, the operator has under his direct control six brush plating conditions. Besides, speed and temperature they are anode cover, voltage, replenishment of solution, and contact area.
Anode Cover
The anode cover directly affects the deposit quality. Using the proper cover material results in optimum deposit quality, adhesion, and cohesion. Due to years of research and testing, SIFCO ASC provides recommendations for the proper cover material for each solution offered. To determine the best cover material for your application, refer to the solution’s Technical Data Sheet.
Replenishment of Solution
Maintaining an adequate amount of plating solution on the workpiece is an important controllable factor as well. As the solution is used, it is depleted of metal ions. Replenishing with fresh solution is essential to maintaining the desired deposit characteristics. Be sure to pump solution fast enough or dip often enough to keep the metal ions in the work area representative of the entire volume of solution being used.
Contact Area
A good deposit will be applied as fast as possible when the plating tool-to-workpiece contact area is at its optimum. Optimum Contact Area (OCA) is the best possible contact area that can be achieved, given the geometry of the surface being plated, the maximum amperage output of the power pack, and the average current density of the plating solution being used.
The proper selection or design of the plating tool is the first step in obtaining the proper contact area. The tool, however, has to be used properly, including:
Keeping the tool on the area being plated.
Keeping the tool in firm, flat contact with the area.
Standard SIFCO ASC tools are available for efficiently preparing and plating a wide variety of sizes and shapes of parts. Standard tools may be selected if they meet the following requirements:
Preparatory Tools
Cover a minimum of 10% of the area to be plated, when practical.
Cover full length.
Plating Tools
Provide adequate contact area.
Cover full length.
Allow for pumping solution when required.
Voltage
Voltage is the last and most easily controlled plating condition; requiring quick, small changes made using the voltage control. Each solution is used within a certain voltage range. The rather wide voltage range is broken down according to the size of the plating tool.
Use the lower voltage range of 6 to 13 when using small tooling and plating conditions are less than favorable – such as when it is difficult to obtain optimum anode-to-cathode speed or dipping for solution rather than using a pump. Use the higher voltage range of 13 to 20 when using larger tools and plating conditions are favorable.
By controlling all six brush plating conditions, the operator can guarantee a high-quality deposit with superior adherence. If you have a high-volume operation, you may consider automating your operation. In our blog “Improved Process Capabilities Through Automation of Selective Plating,” we discuss how automation can reduce the operator tasks threefold. With an automated system, the operator-to-operator variation is eliminated, with consistent part placement, movement and pressure the same for every part.
If you have questions on how to control any of the plating conditions, please contact our Technical Service Department at 800-765-4131 or info@sifcoasc.com.
In just a matter of days Santa Claus will set off from the North Pole in his famous red sleigh. Laden with this year’s must-have Hatchimals and Star Wars toys, he will travel 317 million miles across oceans and continents throughout the night on Christmas Eve.
Fueled on a mix of cookies, hot cocoa, and carrots, Santa and his reindeer have a huge task on their hands to make sure the millions of children around the world receive their presents for Christmas.
We thought we’d try and get our heads around the surface engineering required to ensure Santa and his reindeer complete their epic annual mission.
Unfortunately we don’t have any information from the highly secretive Elf R&D – undoubtedly the world’s most eminent research and development center – but using our own technical team, we’ve considered the unique requirements for Santa’s sleigh and have outlined the mix of coatings which could well be used.
The Sleigh
With only a 32 hour window to complete all his deliveries, speed is of the essence for Santa. There are many theories on how the sleigh is propelled at 0.97 per cent of light speed – from Reindeer sharing the same nutritionist as Russia’s 2012 Olympic team, to rocket propulsion.
What we do know however, is that a coating capable of operating effectively within high temperatures will be important. Ceramic coatings, such as those used by NASA on their space shuttles are a viable option for the sleigh’s body panels.
Thermal spray, such as HVOF may also be used for any moving components, such as turbine components (if rocket propulsion is used) due to its ability to operate at high temperatures and provide improved protection against wear, corrosion, fatigue and oxidation at high temperatures – the last thing Santa needs is a mechanical malfunction with such a tight schedule.
Sleigh Runners
With so many deliveries to make, the runners at the foot of Santa’s sleigh will make millions of landings and take offs. A broken toy just won’t do on Christmas morning so a smooth landing is essential.
We think selective plating may be used in the Elf workshop each year to make sure Santa’s runners are maintained and ready for the Christmas takeoff. Using the SIFCO Process® nickel or cadmium could be used to re-plate any worn or chipped areas on the runners. Plus, the process is FAA approved – keeping Santa off the Federal Aviation Authority’s naughty list.
Brakes
We presume the reindeer are integral to stopping the sleigh at each drop-off point but for a little extra stopping power Santa’s Elves may have opted for a mechanical braking system. A combination of zinc alloy plating and powder coating (RAL 3020 of course), or possibly even ceramic coating could be used to make sure Santa doesn’t miss a stop.
Climate control
Travelling across the skies of everywhere from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe – and 194 countries in between – Santa will be exposed to temperatures ranging from sub zero to over 95 degrees.
We presume Santa’s suit is made from Lapland’s finest performance materials with both warmth and breathability in mind but for some added comfort, particularly in hot climates, the Elves may have equipped Santa’s sleigh with air conditioning.
Whilst Surface Technology, SIFCO ASC, and Ultraseal provide services for many exciting engineering and manufacturing projects; the answer to how Santa and his reindeer deliver all those presents on Christmas Eve will have to remain a mystery for another year.
We wish all of our customers around the world a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
At SIFCO ASC, we know that achieving greater levels of efficiency is perhaps one of the greatest challenges faced by many of our customers. For the aerospace industry, which is experiencing a surge in demand in the commercial sector, efficiency is even more important. Combine that challenge with legislative requirements which govern the use of chemicals such as cadmium, and those within the industry are facing a difficult operating landscape.
Free to attend webinar: Brush Plating & Anodizing for Aerospace
That’s why SIFCO ASC is hosting a free-to-attend webinar. Delivered by Danijela Milosevic-Popovich – SIFCO ASC’s Research and Development Manager – Spec’d In: Brush Plating & Anodizing for Aerospace will provide expert information and advice for manufacturers throughout the aerospace industry.
Designed to deliver insights into overcoming the challenges faces by manufacturers and operators today, the webinar will help attendees to understand the selective plating and anodizing processes and how they enhance efficient repair options for aerospace components.
The benefits of selective plating vs tank plating
Danijela said: “Our webinar is designed to provide attendees with expert insight into the use of selective plating and anodizing, and how these processes are helping to drive greater efficiency within the aerospace supply chain. The processes are already specified in overhaul and standard practice manuals, so this webinar will look at when and why these processes should be used over alternatives such as tank plating. We’ll also be sharing real-world examples which demonstrate time and cost savings associated with the processes, as well as how customers can use automation to improve quality and consistency in their plating operations.
Driving greater efficiency for aerospace
“Within the aerospace industry right now, it’s both an exciting and challenging time. The sector is extremely buoyant with increasing demand, however, this places a strain on manufacturers throughout the supply chain, while the MRO market is under increased pressure to keep aircraft in operation for as long as possible. Our webinar will help manufacturers to understand how they can maximize efficiencies, making them more competitive and elevating levels of quality throughout the industry.”
In the mining industry, replacement parts and components for industrial equipment are typically not on hand, or readily available due to their size, cost and lead time. So, operators need a timely process to fix their components in-house or risk incurring additional costs due to lost hours and extended downtime.
This was the case for one Cleveland, Ohio based gearing manufacturer, when a repair was needed on the pinion gear of a dragline excavator. The pinion gear is part of an entire gear train assembly, and if they are not maintained regularly, lubricant can leak from the seal causing the bearing to seize and gall to the shaft. When this happened, Horsburgh & Scott Co. were tasked for getting the gear and ultimately the crane back in working order.
When the seized bearing was removed, excess material from the journal was also removed, resulting in a gouge to the surface finish.
Traditional repair techniques such as welding, sleeving and metal spray can take up to four to six weeks due to the disassembly and shipping time, resulting in extended downtime, as well as being costly.
The bearing in question had incurred a gouge measuring 0.030” in depth, 0.75” wide and 12” long, making it 0.012” undersize. When using selective plating, defects are typically repaired with one or more layers of copper, and then covered with a wear resistant deposit that has good release or wetting characteristics. In this instance, the bearing journal was first plated with 0.001” thickness of copper and then masked for the defect repair. The anode that was used to fill the defect, covered the full length of the gouge which was filled with three layers of copper and hand-finished in between. The final layer was dressed flush then plated with 0.006” thickness of nickel using an ID plater.
By using the SIFCO Process®, Horsburgh and Scott Co. was not only able to return the crane to service with minimal downtime, but was also able to improve the time between failure rates and saved significant costs compared to the alternative repair methods.
The SIFCO Process® can be used in other areas of the mining industry including:
OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLES (OHV)
Cases
Wheel hubs
Differential housings
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
Section head housings
Hydraulic pump housings
For more information on the SIFCO Process®, contact info@sifcoasc.com or call us at 800-765-4131.
Last month, China and Russia partnered together to launch the China-Russia Commercial Aircraft International Corporation (CRAIC). Their goal, to build a 280-passenger, twin aisle, wide-body jet to compete with Airbus and Boeing, will cost an estimated $13-20 billion. According to Aviation Week, CRAIC is aiming to launch its first flight in 2022 or 2023 and be fully-serviceable by 2025-2027.
While CRAIC’s headquarters and assembly will be in Shanghai, the jet’s research and development will be in Moscow, Russia. The group, still in its infancy stages, are now seeking out engine suppliers. As with the other modern jets, the China-Russia 280-seat plane, or C929 (its unconfirmed moniker), will most likely integrate into the global supply chain and utilize engine makers such as Pratt & Whitney, GE, and Rolls-Royce; as well as other Western manufacturers such as Honeywell and United Technologies for its cockpit avionics and flight systems.
This is good news for the surface finishing industry and possibly the environment. When developing a new plane, CRAIC is not mandated to use legacy systems and drawings utilizing cadmium coatings for corrosion protection. Instead new, environmentally-friendly, quality alternatives such as zinc-nickel or tin-zinc can be used. By incorporating new materials into the original equipment manufacturers specifications, the latter touch-up applications on landing gear, flap tracks, bushing bores, and other structural components, can also use them, essentially helping phase out cadmium.
CRAIC believes a major advantage to breaking the duopoly of Airbus and Boeing will be reduced costs. They hope that by designing a plane with lower operating costs, more international buyers will be interested. They also plan to sell maintenance services, logistics services, and upgrade packages to bring in additional revenue.
Improving the service life of vital components is an important factor for any manufacturer, especially those designing and producing mission critical vehicles for highly corrosive environments such as the mining industry.
When it comes to a heavy mining operation, around-the-clock production, the relentless operative conditions, and the size and weight of the equipment will cause damage and considerable wear to common components. Some components pose maintenance issues due to their prohibitive size and location, such as the hydraulic and transmission systems; and final drive components.
While manufacturers are keen to find a solution to avoid the need to scrap parts, they also want to maximise component performance, reduce downtime, and execute a proven repair before failure.
The benefits of selective brush plating include the ability to accurately focus the plating onto specific areas of a component, enabling parts to be plated in-situ, which can drastically reduce downtime and minimise production delays. Selective plating is best suited for localised areas on inside and outside diameters or flat surfaces. In contrast to tank plating, selective brush plating does not require extensive masking or special fixtures to plate the component.
The length of time a plating operation will take is primarily determined by the amount of material that needs to be applied. In market-leading selective brush plating systems, deposits can be plated at rates that are 30 to 60 times faster than conventional tank plating. The performance and cost differences that these factors can make to maintaining, enhancing or repairing critical components can be significant.
While damage from wear, corrosion or mis-machining can be repaired using selective brush plating, this innovative solution should not just be considered for repair or salvage. The full range of pure metal and alloy deposits available offer enhanced wear resistance, increased surface hardness, low electrical contact resistance or corrosion protection; all important considerations for the mining industry.
For more information on SIFCO ASC’s innovating selective brush plating technology and solutions, dig deeper here: www.sifcoasc.com/mining.
World Helicopter Day aims to raise awareness of the societal contributions helicopters make. When recognizing these amazing machines, we are also recognizing the industry that supports them from design, to pilots, and support.
When thinking about helicopters, rescue missions, medical transports, disaster relief efforts and media coverage may come to mind. But their use spans far beyond that. There are estimated to be over 55,000 helicopters worldwide – with almost 40% of those owned by the military. Helicopters are coveted for their take-off and landing footprint and their ability to access hard to reach areas that neither a vehicle or airplane can access.
SIFCO ASC has been supporting the helicopter industry since the mid-1970s. For over 40 years leading manufacturers have relied on the SIFCO Process® to selective plating components from tail and lifting rotor assemblies, tube assemblies, axles, bores and more.
Proven Results
The tail section pylon of a Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk helicopter experiences significant wear to the support lugs. Due to the function of the pylon – which swings and locks into place for storage or is removed for AOG maintenance – the support lugs require the cadmium plating to be touched up when the locking pins are removed. By using the SIFCO Process®, the plating operation is conducted in-place and only takes 5 minutes per lug – saving hours of downtime.
For Lord Corp., tank anodizing caused a loss of dimension on the ID of the lead lag hinge of the Bell 407 helicopter rotor assembly. While machining the bores restored the dimension, it also removed the anodic coating. Selective anodizing was chosen for corrosion protection and improved lead-times. In one day, 24 parts were completed – compared to almost four days when processed with tank anodizing.
To learn more about how SIFCO ASC supports the aerospace industry visit our aerospace webpage. To learn more about the flight of the world’s first helicopter, read our blog: “This week in history – America’s First Practical Helicopter.”
“The team at SIFCO ASC, have consistently understood our specific requirements for various aerospace maintenance and repair projects. The team’s customer service is exemplary, with good response times on enquires and flexible turnaround times on repairs. SIFCO ASC are a trusted partner of Heliwork Services and provide the quality and service we require.”
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