Three associates in the EWI Forming Center recently published papers in the IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. These papers were presented at  the International Deep Drawing Research Group 37th Annual Conference, June 2018, in Waterloo, Ontario.

• Tom Feister, Applications Engineer, Failure Predictions in Warm Forming of 7075-T6 Aluminum Structural Parts
• Hyunok Kim, EWI Forming Center Director, Comparison of Drawability between Warm Forming and Cold Forming of Aluminum 6xxx Alloys
• J. Clare Gu, Engineering Intern, A Practical Methodology to Evaluate and Predict Edge Cracking for Advanced High-Strength Steel

To view these papers, click here.

To learn more about the EWI Forming Center, contact Hyunok Kim, [email protected].

 

 

 

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EWI UltraThinSeal™, the revolutionary packaging technology recently demonstrated at the Pack Expo Show in Chicago, proved to be a showstopper. The highly specialized technology takes the basic principles of plastic welding and expands on its capabilities with the use of ultrasonics. The system, which aligns perfectly with the needs of those in the packaging industry, offers a higher-quality, more compact, and versatile alternative to current methods.

EWI National Sales Director, Dale Robinson, and his team were excited at the response to the new technology at Pack Expo. “We received a lot of interest in UltraThinSeal by CPG end-users who quickly recognized how its benefits can accrue over time. Manufacturers of Vertical-Form-Fill-Seal bagmakers and horizontal flow wrappers were also intrigued by the technology. UltraThinSeal enables the incorporation of ultrasonics into high-speed rotary VFFS formats and offers an easy “drop-in” option for horizontal flow wrapping applications,” said Robinson.

By integrating ultrasonics into the sealing process, high-frequency vibrations drive out contaminants in the package seal area, resulting in consistently high-quality hermetic seals and longer shelf-life of packaged products by more than 30 percent. The technology works on a wide range of packaging materials, including snack packaging films, robust films for heavier products, and environmentally friendly materials such as bio-polymers and biodegradable polymers.

While at the show, manufacturers signed up for free film sealing trials at their facilities. To schedule a free trial of UltraThinSeal packaging with your film, contact Tony Knoerzer, UltraThinSeal Senior Vice President of Sales at 972.489.7192.

Visit ultrathinseal.com for more information.

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On October 19th, EWI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Gyeonbuk TechnoPark (GBTP), an organization dedicated to introducing advanced manufacturing technologies to small-to-medium companies in South Korea. The scope of the MOU includes:

• Technical development and application of research related to EWI’s Forming Center Consortium
• Development and application of advanced manufacturing technology development services including manufacturing process evaluation, material selection, computational modeling, equipment specifications, fitness-for-service testing, and in-plant assessments
• Development and delivery of training and education for welding processes, NDE, and product design for welding.

EWI and GBTP will collaborate to jointly author technical white papers on new and innovative welding and forming technologies and to deliver workshops on relevant technical topics in Gyeonbuk. The primary market focuses will be automotive and battery manufacturing.

For more information, contact [email protected].

 

 

 

 

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Global standards developer ASTM International has announced its first round of funding to support research that will help catalyze the development of needed standards in additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing. This investment of $300,000 and in-kind contributions will help partners in the ASTM International Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence address pressing technical information needs in this fast-growing area.

“We are very fortunate to work with such renowned organizations to leverage their expertise towards standardization in additive manufacturing,” said Matthew Donovan who chairs the research and innovation group under ASTM International’s additive manufacturing technology committee (F42), which held its biannual meeting in Singapore where this announcement was made. Donovan is a principal engineer at Oerlikon.

The initial round of projects approved by the committee target four main areas: feedstock, process qualification, post-processing, and testing. The projects are described below.

The UK-based Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) will conduct research aimed at developing quality assessment standards for metal powders used in additive-manufacturing machines. This feedstock-characterization research will contribute to a standard guide that helps people who need to evaluate powder quality and recyclability.

NASA will work to develop standard procedures, metrics, and comprehensive requirements to help qualify machines and processes in laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF). This process-qualification-and-assessment research aims to establish much-needed consensus in this area across the additive manufacturing community.

Applied technology developer EWI will research how various surface finishing techniques for additively-manufactured products impact performance and structural integrity. This post-processing research will help standardize surface quality and measurement metrics.

Auburn University will perform research on mechanical testing issues of metal additive manufacturing to better understand the relationships between the properties of test specimens and the performance of parts. This study will contribute to a standard that provides guidance on designing specimens (i.e., test coupons) that are most representative of additively-manufactured components.

In addition to these projects, the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), the center’s first strategic partner, will focus on mechanical testing issues surrounding polymers (plastics) used in additive manufacturing. They will look to create guidelines and best practices aimed at applying existing mechanical testing methods to this fast-growing area.

The announcement of these projects was made by ASTM International’s director of global additive manufacturing programs, Dr. Mohsen Seifi. The F42 meeting was held in conjunction with an event organized by the Singapore Standards Council, the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, Standards Development Organization, and Singapore’s National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC).

For more information, see the center’s new website at www.amcoe.org.

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We are pleased to announce that Delta TechOps, a division of Delta Air Lines, is a new EWI member. The company operates full-service aviation maintenance and service to its fleet of more than 750 aircraft along with maintenance for more than 150 other operators. The company’s comprehensive services include technical training, engineering support, line maintenance services, inventory management, component support, engine overhaul, and engine condition monitoring, as well as quick-response emergency services through their Disabled Aircraft Recovery Team (D.A.R.T.).

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EWI first introduced its novel ultrasonic sealing technology at Pack Expo two years ago. This year, attendees can find out about EWI UltraThinSeal™, a new firm that can deliver and deploy the technology right into your plant.

Last week, the online magazine MANUFACTURING TOMORROW profiled the EWI spinout company in its pre-Pack Expo coverage. To learn about the technology and the implementation service, read the interview here.

If you are going to Pack Expo 2018, October 14-17 in Chicago, you can check out EWI UltraThinSeal technology and see demonstrations at Exhibit Booth E-9238.

For more information, visit www.ultrathinseal.com or call 972.489.7192.

 

 

 

 

 

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Vehicle electrification is not the wave of the future – it’s the wave of the present! With approximately 2 million electric vehicles in use globally today and estimates of up to 20 million on the road by 2020, the manufacture of electric and hybrid-electric vehicles (EVs and HEVs) is top of mind for automotive OEMs and their suppliers.

There are many parts and processes to consider when designing and producing EVs – everything from battery joining and wire harnesses to motor construction and car body design. Materials, joining techniques, and inspection methods are constantly under re-evaluation as technology advances expand the possibilities of EV production. In the meantime, car makers are challenged to keep up with the changes to stay competitive.

If you’re an automaker or supplier, you surely face both the opportunities and stresses of an expanding market in EVs and HEVs. What do you need to move forward in this fast-paced environment?

EWI has been active for several years in developing technology to help the auto industry improve reliability and quality in vehicle electrification. Recent innovations in battery tab welding, dissimilar materials joining, and wire harness connectivity offer new solutions to specific EV challenges. With deep expertise in joining technology, structural integrity, and nondestructive inspection, plus 30+ years of experience in the auto industry, EWI is poised to address the ever-broadening array of issues in vehicle electrification to the benefit of manufacturers.

To identify the most pressing challenges in this arena, EWI is conducting a topical survey of OEMs and suppliers. What do you see as the most concerning issues today for vehicle electrification? What specific problems do you face at your company, and what information or services do you need to solve them?

To complete our brief survey, click here now.  EWI invites all auto OEMs and suppliers to participate.

If you would like to speak to an EWI associate today about our initiatives in vehicle electrification, call Doug Myers at 614.688.5177.

CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY

 

 

 

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September 17, 2018, marked the kick-off date of the training portion of the EWI-developed Cybersecurity Co-op Pilot Program. The first training site is located in Buchanan County, Virginia, and is funded by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority.

EWI, partnering with leading cybersecurity experts, is working with the Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority to teach non-IT background staff in rural areas the skills necessary to provide cybersecurity services to small and medium-sized businesses. During the training period, students are paid to learn cyber analyst skills using live network data from small manufacturers in the region. Cybersecurity competency, job-readiness levels, and accreditation preparedness for certification will be assessed at the end of the nine-month program.

“Small and medium-size manufacturers making up the backbone of U.S. supply chains. Their ability to adhere  to cybersecurity requirements is crucial for their continued interaction with larger companies and companies involved with defense,” commented EWI Principal Engineer and Cybersecurity Mentor, Connie LaMorte. “The Cybersecurity Co-op Pilot Program aims to arm the smaller manufacturers with affordable cybersecurity services needed to protect critical industrial systems, sensitive client data, and manufacturing processes. The launch of Buchanan County’s mentee program kick-off is an exciting step forward in this endeavor.”

Project stakeholders, participating companies, community supporters, and new students attended an opening day reception in September to celebrate the start of the training portion of this project.

More details about the project can be found here.

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We are pleased to welcome Viatran as a new EWI member. The company provides innovative pressure and level transmitters designed for applications such as oil and gas services, steel production, food and medical equipment, injection molding, die casting, and chemical production. Based in Tonawanda, New York, Viatran has been in business since 1965.

 

 

 

 

 

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