Ceramic Industry articles from August 2004

Ceramic Industry archives from August 2004

Constant evolution.(Inside CI)(ESK)
August 1, 2004... What if the key to success were as simple as trying something new? If you could guarantee your company a competitive market position by implementing a new technology or process, or pursuing new products or applications, wouldn't you want to...

International calendar.(Conferences, meetings and seminars)(Calendar)
August 1, 2004... AUGUST 23-27 9th International Conference on Ferrites, Cathedral Hill Hotel, San Francisco, Calif., (614) 794-5890, e-mail customersrvc@acers.org 26-30 International Academy of Ceramics 2004 General Assembly Korea, Icheon World...

Ceradyne to acquire ESK Ceramics.(Ceramics In the News)
August 1, 2004... Ceradyne, Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire ESK Ceramics (ESK) for approximately 111.4 million Euros, or approximately $136 million, in cash payable at closing. The acquisition is subject to certain closing conditions, is...

CerMA announces preliminary schedule for fall meeting.(Ceramics In the News)(Ceramic Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The Ceramic Manufacturers Association (CerMA) will hold its 2004 Fall Meeting at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Augusta, Ga., October 19-21. The meeting will begin with an early bird golf outing on Tuesday, October 19. Technical papers will be...

Micromeritics' Thornton receives ASTM Award of Merit.(Ceramics In the News)(Tony Thornton)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Tony Thornton, senior scientist at Micromeritics Instrument Corp., recently received the ASTM Award of Merit for outstanding technical contributions to and masterful leadership of Committees B09 on Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products, and...

MTI launches new website.(Ceramics In the News)(Manufacturing Technology Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Manufacturing Technology Inc. (MTI) recently announced the launch of its newly created website, which has been designed to communicate with, enlighten and instruct customers about the company's products and contract manufacturing services. The...

Plaintiff and defendants agree to tentative settlement in proposition 65 drinkware cases.(Ceramics In The News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Several glass tableware manufacturers and approximately 20 retailers and importers have agreed to a settlement with the plaintiff regarding Proposition 65 allegations in California that consumers are exposed to lead from the outside surface of...

FMC Lithium moves administrative offices to Charlotte.(Ceramics In the News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The administrative offices of FMC Lithium have relocated to Charlotte, N.C. The move involves approximately 45 employees who work within sales and marketing, sales service, accounting, IT, legal, and support service functions. E-mail addresses,...

Novellus to acquire Peter Wolters.(Ceramics In the News)
August 1, 2004... Novellus Systems, Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire Peter Wolters, AG, a privately held manufacturer of high-precision machine manufacturing tools headquartered in Rendsburg, Germany. The transaction adds a series of industry-leading...

Owens coming continues global manufacturing capacity additions.(Ceramics In the News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Owens Corning recently announced plans for two new manufacturing plants in China to produce shingles and insulation. The new shingle plant, which is being constructed in East China and will open at the end of the year, is the first Owens Coming...

Investing in ceramics: continuing a fine tradition: with Kristine Ramming at the helm, Electro Abrasives continues to provide custom-sized, high quality boron carbide, silicon carbide, aluminum oxide and other powders, along with a superior level of customer service.
August 1, 2004... A lot of people in the ceramic industry knew Allan Ramming. As owner and president of Electro Abrasives Corp., Buffalo, N.Y., he helped numerous ceramic and refractory manufacturers improve their products and solve technical challenges. But he...

Improving product performance with ions: ionic plasma deposition can improve the surface characteristics of high-tech ceramics and composites by providing tightly controlled coating densities and dispersions.
August 1, 2004... Coatings are an important part of many high-tech products. They add electrical conductivity, wear resistance, corrosion protection and other important properties to the underlying substrate. Unfortunately, many conventional metal coating...

Measuring R-curves: a new machine with a very stiff loading frame enables manufacturers to precisely determine the fracture toughness of brittle ceramic materials.
August 1, 2004... Fracture toughness and fracture strength are two of the most important properties of engineering materials. For ceramics, fracture strength measurements are typically obtained from internationally standardized bend tests. The fracture toughness...

An ounce of prevention.(Kiln Connection)
August 1, 2004... I was working with a gifted operations engineer a few months ago. We were driving to one of the many facilities he is responsible for, and he was describing some of the operational problems of a large tunnel kiln. He said, "Ralph, we have good...

Got crazing? Try sealing your feet; a new coating is helping potters improve the long-term durability and freeze-thaw resistance of low-fire ceramic and Raku products.(Pottery Production Practices)
August 1, 2004... Glazes are continuous coatings that are usually prepared from fused silicate mixtures and fusion-bonded to a ceramic substrate to render the finished product impermeable to liquids and gases, create aesthetics, provide a protective coating, and...

Much ado about resin: the benefits of resin dies and RAM[TM] pressing are making this a popular combination for an increasing number of production potters.(Pottery Production Practices)
August 1, 2004... Several years ago, a number of articles were published describing the emergence of porous resin dies in the U.S. market. (1-4) Benefits such as cost reductions, a simplified manufacturing process, an enhanced die life (compared to plaster) and...

Drying & firing: questions & answers.(Pottery Production Practices)
August 1, 2004... Q I am firing my products in a small gas-fired kiln, and energy costs are taking an increasingly large bite out of my profits. Can you suggest some ways for me to reduce my fuel consumption? A You are not alone. Just about everyone in the...

A healthy proposition: taking the right precautions in your pottery production facility can help ensure the long-term health and safety of you and your employees.(Pottery Production Practices)
August 1, 2004... Health and safety is not a popular topic for discussion in the ceramic industry, especially among production potters. As small businesses, potters typically don't have the resources to invest in in-depth research and analysis of potential...

2004 Discovery Awards.(Highlight Design, Technical Achievements)
August 1, 2004... The Society of Glass and Ceramic Decorators (SGCD) sponsors the annual Discovery Awards competition to recognize outstanding decorated ceramic and glassware design and technical achievements. Winners are honored during the awards banquet at the...

Isostatic pressing.(New Products)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... SAMA-Maschinenbau GmbH This company's isostatic pressing plants with robot fettling technology for complex-shaped large tableware have become accepted worldwide. The LPP 1-45/UPR-A automatic production system for complex-shaped tableware...

Three-Roll Mill.(New Products)(EXAKT Technologies, Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... EXAKT Technologies, Inc. The 80 E three-roll mill combines the flexible technologies of production mills with state of-the-art control and programming in a compact size that can be used in lab or pilot plant applications. The gap between the...

Tube, box furnaces.(New Products)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Carbolite Inc. The GTF tube furnaces, which operate to 1200 [degrees] C, are available with six heated lengths from 18-48 in. in both horizontal and vertical designs, and with either single--or three-zone control. Three-zone units provide...