Ceramic Industry articles from September 2004

Ceramic Industry archives from September 2004

Making opportunities.(Inside CI)
September 1, 2004... Do you ever wish you had better luck? Numerous studies have shown that "good luck" doesn't just happen. Instead, it is created by those who know how to look for--and take advantage of--the opportunities that life regularly presents. For...

International calendar.(Calendar)
September 1, 2004... SEPTEMBER 12-16 5th International Conference on High-Temperature Ceramic Matrix Composites, Red Lion Hotel, Seattle, Wash., (614) 794-5890, e-mail customersrvc@acers.org 12-16 56th Pacific Coast Regional & Basic Science Division...

Sacmi acquires additional stake in Riedhammer.(Ceramics In The News)
September 1, 2004... Since 2003, the Sacmi Group has held a 30% share in Riedhammer. In April 2004, Sacmi acquired an additional stake, bringing the group's total share in Riedhammer to 90%. Riedhammer, with over 8000 plants installed all over the world, has been...

Richland Moulded Brick acquired by ProServices.(Ceramics In The News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... ProServices USA, LLC recently announced the acquisition of certain assets of Richland Moulded Brick Co., Mansfield, Ohio. The company will trade under the name Artisan Moulded Brick, LLC. The business produces molded brick and pavers for...

Royal Crown Derby ensures quality with Russell Finex sieve.(Ceramics In The News)
September 1, 2004... Royal Crown Derby, part of the Royal Doulton Group, is using a Compact 900 sieve supplied by Russell Finex in the quality control of the raw materials used in the production of its English Fine Bone China. The company uses the Russell sieve in...

Thermcraft expands with two new reps.(Ceramics In The News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Thermcraft, Inc. recently announced the addition of two new sales representatives for the northeastern and southeastern U.S. Alex Beltzhoover, a North Carolina State University graduate with extensive experience in combustion engineering, has...

NCEA raises safety limits for boron consumption.(Ceramics In The News)(National Center for Environmental Assessment)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) recently announced its finding that people can safely consume more than twice the amount of boron previously considered harmless. The NCEA is the division of the U.S. Environmental...

ASTM invites survey participation.(Ceramics In The News)(Advanced Ceramics Committee of the American Society for Testing and Materials)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The Advanced Ceramics Committee of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has actively supported the development of over 40 testing standards addressing the characterization of many basic material properties for ceramics and...

ANL Glass Furnace Model wins award.(Ceramics In The News)
September 1, 2004... The Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) Glass Furnace Model (GFM) was recently selected by the independent judging panel and editors of R&D Magazine as one of the 100 most technologically significant products introduced into the marketplace over...

Techneglas to cease manufacturing.(Ceramics In The News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Techneglas, the largest manufacturer of television glass in North America, will cease manufacturing operations at each of its three plant locations in Columbus and Perrysburg, Ohio, and Pittston, Pa. Wind-down operations have begun and are...

Richard E. Mistler relocates to new facility.(Ceramics In The News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Richard E. Mistier, Inc recently completed a relocation to its new facility in Yardley, Pa. The company remains committed to supplying technology, materials and equipment, according to Richard E. Mistler, president. For additional information,...

Letter to the editor.(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... Thank you for your informative article in the May issue of Ceramic Industryon the use of lithium in the production of glass batches at lower temperatures ["Saving Energy with Lithium," pp. 27-30]. Lithium sourced from spodumene is one half of...

Nth Degree Products, LLC.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Nanette Reber was recently appointed senior purchasing manager for Nth Degree Products, LLC, based in Hainesport, N.J. Reber has more than 20 years of experience in purchasing, accounts payable and customer service engineering. She joins the...

Industrial Minerals Association-North America (IMA-NA).(People In The News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... J. Lee Powell, president of Old Hickory Clay Co., was recently elected chairman of the Industrial Minerals Association-North America (IMA-NA). "This is a particularly challenging period for North American industries of all types, including...

Tianjiao International.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... XingBo Yang, Ph.D., has joined Tianjiao International as vice president and chief technical officer. He is the former director of Technology and Marketing at SpeedFam-IPEC Inc. Yang is responsible for new business development, and he directs...

American Beryllia Inc.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... American Beryllia Inc. recently announced that Kirk Keithly has joined the company as chief operating officer. He brings over 20 years of management experience in the electronics industry to the firm, most recently serving as president and...

ACIMAC.(People In The News)(Association of Italian Manufacturers of Machinery and Equipment for Ceramics)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The board of directors of ACIMAC, the Association of Italian Manufacturers of Machinery and Equipment for Ceramics, recently designated Pierluigi Ponzoni as its new chairman for 2004-2008. Ponzoni is chairman of Lema srl of Albavilla, a company...

Alfred University.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Alastair N. Cormack, Ph.D., the Van Derck Frechette Professor of Ceramic Science and director of the Graduate School at Alfred University, has been appointed dean of the School of Engineering. He served as interim dean during the 2003-2004...

Kromschroder Inc.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Kromschroder Inc. recently announced several organizational changes, including the appointment of Steve Ogonek as president of the company. Ogonek has worked in various management and marketing capacities at both Fireye Inc. and North American...

Emgold Mining Corp.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Emgold Mining Corp. recently announced that Carl Frahme, Ph.D., along with Robert Villwock, Ph.D., have joined the company's project team to advance the technology development of the Ceramext[TM] process to full commercialization. Frahme is a...

Fusion UV Systems, Inc.(People In The News)(Jim Elliott)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Fusion UV Systems, Inc. recently announced the promotion of Jim Elliott to vice president operations. He has over 17 years of manufacturing experience, including the last 10 years with Fusion UV, where he has had increasing responsibilities...

R&D snapshot.(Refractories Review)(research and deveopment, refractories industry )
September 1, 2004... The refractories industry has been--and continues to be--remarkably successful in making practical and technical improvements and innovations that have greatly benefited the manufacturing industries of the world. Each year, it is not uncommon...

A new solution for CVD: a new combustion chemical vapor deposition process is yielding high-quality thin films and coatings at a lower cost compared to conventional coating technologies.
September 1, 2004... Coatings and nanopowders are used in a wide range of applications, from cutting tools to silicon chips, and have become a part of everyday life. Thin films (defined as Over the past few decades, several methods have been developed to...

The coming China crisis: fact or fiction?(International Business)
September 1, 2004... Over the last few months, almost every major publication has done a story on the possibility of an economic and/or financial collapse in China and the probable impact on the global economy. It's not hard to understand why. As the fourth largest...

A new hybrid for glass melting: a new hybrid furnace combines air-fuel and oxy-fuel technologies to provide improved quality, productivity and fuel efficiency compared to conventional glass melting processes.
September 1, 2004... The benefits of using oxygen for combustion in glass making are well understood. Most notably, by replacing air (which contains almost 80% inert nitrogen) with pure oxygen, combustion efficiency is substantially increased. The effect of...

Innovation on a global scale: Tecnargilla 2004 will showcase the latest in cutting-edge ceramic and brick manufacturing technology from suppliers around the world.(Special report: Tecnargilla 2004)
September 1, 2004... Thousands of visitors are expected to flock to Rimini, Italy, October 1-5 for Tecnargilla 2004, the 19th International Exhibition of Technologies and Supplies for the Ceramic and Brick Industries. According to show organizers, this year's event...

Tecnargilla 2004: exhibits at a glance.(Special report: Tecnargilla 2004)
September 1, 2004... Borax Europe Ltd. will highlight the advantages of borates in ceramic applications. Borates have been an essential ingredient in ceramic glazes since their earliest confirmed use in China during the 10th century. They facilitate a good fit...

A model approach to SOFSCs: equation-based modeling programs are helping fuel cell developers optimize SOFC technologies by providing detailed analyses of the steps and components used in their design processes.(Special repot: ceramic energy)(Solid oxide fuel cells)
September 1, 2004... Fuel cells offer relatively high efficiency and low emissions compared to conventional energy technologies. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) also have the advantage of using relatively low-cost ceramic materials compared to the precious metals...

Revolutionizing brick firing: a new fast firing system can provide high production rates, fuel savings, increased quality and reduced scrap rates.(Special section: brick & clay record)
September 1, 2004... Fast firing of brick is not a new idea. Every brick manufacturer is aware that one or two brick placed in a lab kiln can be successfully fired in anywhere from four to 12 hours. Over the past 30 years, various methods have been applied to try...

Improving the daily grind: Endicott Clay has significantly reduced the maintenance requirements in its grinding operation with the help of a unique system designed by Innovative Processing Solutions, LLC.(Special section: brick & clay record)(Company Profile)
September 1, 2004... Like most successful companies, Endicott Clay Products Co. of Fairbury, Neb., doesn't take anything for granted. The company continually strives to make improvements--in products, quality and processes--that help it maintain a competitive edge....

Learning & networking opportunities.
September 1, 2004... Industry exhibitions and conferences provide a great opportunity to expand our knowledge, find solutions to manufacturing problems, and meet new people who can provide insights into our materials and processes--or connect us to future...

Next-generation SiC elements: a new grade of SiC element offers improved performance, longer element life and the ability to operate in more demanding applications.(Silicon carbide)
September 1, 2004... Silicon carbide (SiC) heating solutions have been available since the 1920s. Back then, only hot zone material could be manufactured, and these sections were held in place using water-cooled electrodes. Over the years, SiC elements have evolved...

Particle size analyzer.(New Products)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Micromeritics Instrument Corp. The new generation SediGraph III 5120 particle size analyzer combines the proven SediGraph analytical technique with advanced instrumentation features to provide superior repeatability, accuracy and...

Heating elements.(New Products)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... OXY-GON Industries, Inc. This company recently announced the addition of tungsten mesh heating elements to its manufacturing capabilities. These elements are used in vacuum and inert atmosphere furnaces for up to 3000[degrees]C operating...

Air-jet test sieve.(New Products)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Minox/Elcan Industries, Inc. The MINOX MLS 200 air-jet test sieve is used to dry materials of all kinds from 20 to 1000 microns, and it can reportedly analyze sample quantities between 1 and 200 grams without the degrading effects...

Dual chamber furnaces.(New Products)
September 1, 2004... Lucifer Furnaces, Inc. A four-page brochure describes this company's line of Space-Saver dual chamber furnaces, including the LI8000 series of fiber-lined models. The furnaces employ lightweight, low-mass ceramic insulation instead of...

Deltech Inc.(Literature Showcase)
September 1, 2004... Deltech Inc. produces a variety of 1000-2000[degrees]C electric laboratory and production furnaces, including front load, bottom load, top hat, vertical and horizontal tube, bottom leading vertical tube, atmosphere envelopes, positive pressure...

U.S. Borax Inc.(Literature Showcase)
September 1, 2004... Since the 10th century, borates have been used in glazes and enamels to facilitate a good fit and to enhance luster and durability. In the 21st century, Borax discovered that adding borates to tile bodies themselves lowers energy use,...

High temperature production furnaces.(Literature Showcase)
September 1, 2004... CM Furnaces offers an expanded reference catalog for its comprehensive new line of state-of-the art high temperature controlled atmosphere and air production furnace systems. Featured are air, hydrogen, nitrogen and inert atmosphere electric...

GFC Kilns.(Literature Showcase)
September 1, 2004... GFC Kilns International P/L designs and manufactures high-qualify kilns for the worldwide ceramic industry. GFC is a leader in kiln design, pioneering production techniques such as the renowned Integrated Multizone Pulsing System or IMPS[R] to...

Ingredient Masters.(Literature Showcase)
September 1, 2004... Established in 1980, Ingredient Masters provides material handling systems for all companies that handle dry powder systems to dispense and batch out of bulk bags, boxes, drums and paper bags. Ingredient Masters converts companies from paper...

I Squared R Element Co., Inc.(Literature Showcase)
September 1, 2004... This four-page brochure provides a general description of Moly-D[R] heating elements manufactured by I Squared R Element Co. Included are product photos, dimensions, temperature ranges, available shapes and sizes, and delivery information. ...

Micro milling beads: Jyoti Ceramic Industries Pvt. Ltd.(Literature Showcase)
September 1, 2004... Zirconox micro beads are sapphire hard, tough, glossy and satin-smooth. They offer a low coefficient of friction and high density, and can quickly mill highly viscous formulations such as auto and allied paints, etc. Zirconox heads are closely...

Globar SD adds performance to the Kanthal high-temperature lineup.(Literature Showcase)
September 1, 2004... Replacing many conventional SiC elements, new GLOBAR SD offers high mechanical strength and a lower rate of reaction with process atmospheres. The new elements can be supplied in straight rod or multi-leg configurations. In addition, Kanthal...

Furnaces and kilns: Lucifer Furnaces.(Literature Showcase)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... * High temperature furnaces for ceramic firing * Compact designs with fiber insulation for rapid heat, uniform temperature and precision control * Front and bottom load models to 1700[degrees]C Lucifer Furnaces, Inc. (800)...

Pred Materials International, Inc.(Literature Showcase)
September 1, 2004... Pred Materials represents Taimei Chemicals of Japan, a leading producer of submicron 99.99% alumina powders. Various grades are available for use in transparent/translucent ceramics, electronic and semiconductor manufacturing parts, lamp...

Furnaces that deliver reliable performance and energy savings.(Literature Showcase)
September 1, 2004... TRENT's extensive line of furnaces is highlighted in this new catalog. Call or write today for information on the company's standard and custom designed industrial beating solutions. TRENT, Inc. 201 Leverington Ave. Philadelphia, PA...

Particle technology news: Quantachrome Instruments.(Literature Showcase)
September 1, 2004... The current edition of Quantachrome Instruments' newsletter is now available in print and on the Internet. For the latest information on the company's upcoming events and innovative particle characterization instrumentation, as well as...

Russell Finex Screener.(Literature Showcase)
September 1, 2004... The Russell Compact Screener enables ceramic powders and liquids to be screened down to 20 microns with greater accuracy than ever before. The unit accurately removes any oversize contamination, lumps or impurities to ensure that ceramic...

Saint-Gobain Ceramics.(Literature Showcase)
September 1, 2004... Saint-Gobain Silit[R] SKD ceramic radiant tubes systems reduce energy consumption, increase firing efficiency and offer reduced maintenance costs when compared to alloy steel tubes. Each radiant tube is shipped from Saint-Gobain's manufacturing...

Foamfrax[TM] insulation for furnace lining maintenance.(Literature Showcase)
September 1, 2004... New Foamtrax insulation from Unifrax offers exceptional energy savings, installation speed and lining performance for upgrades of existing fiber linings, lining over refractory, and furnace lining patches or refits. It can be gunned directly...

Feldspar and nepheline syenite fluxes.(Literature Showcase)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Unimin Corp. offers a complete portfolio of sodium and potassium feldspars and nepheline syenites for cost effective fluxing options over the widest possible operating range. Whether the objective is accelerated fusion, improved strength and...

Technical standards.(New Products)(SEMI International Standards Program)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... SEMI[R] Twenty-five new technical standards applicable to the semiconductor and flat panel display manufacturing industries are available. The new standards, developed by technical experts from equipment suppliers, device manufacturers and...

Swabbing compounds.(New Products)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Renite Co. A complete line of blank mold swabbing compounds and ring dopes is available for the worldwide glass container industry. The company's new Hi-Polish compounds are designed to significantly improve machine operators' swabbing...