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Allegheny Ludlum makes another investment in the future

ATI Allegheny Ludlum, an Allegheny Technologies company, recently installed its second robotic tensile testing system from Tinius Olsen. This latest machine was acquired to test thin sheet and strip products that Allegheny Ludlum produces and joins another high capacity robotic tester already installed within Allegheny Ludlum.

"The advantages of the robotic system are greater flexibility, accurate results, reduced test turnaround with less staff; all of which means less cost and a much higher return on our investment." said Gary Miller, General Supervisor of Testing and Test Release Validation at Allegheny Ludlum. "We simply load all the bar-coded specimens in the racking system that Tinius Olsen developed for our materials and let the machine ‘do it’s thing’; any other, more traditional, testing machine would require several qualified technicians to achieve the same testing output". The system is comprised of a Tinius Olsen horizontal testing machine, a Zymark robot, specimen racks, a dimensional measuring station, a barcode scanner and the controlling Test Navigator software.

The operation of the system is simple and efficient. The robot takes a sample from the rack and places it into the barcode reader where the sample requirements are extracted. Next, the robot takes the sample and places it in the dimensional measuring station where the width and thickness of the test piece are determined. Then, the robot places the sample into the grips of the testing machine. The grips are pneumatically operated and the sample is secured in place for the test.

Once the sample is clamped, Tinius Olsen’s unique friction-free extensometer is lowered on the sample for a highly accurate determination of sample strain during the test. The test is initiated and a real-time stress/strain graph of the test is shown with the Test Navigator software. Tinius Olsen’s Test Navigator software is for data acquisition and closed loop control of Tinius Olsen testing machines that have a compatible servo system; the version supplied with Allegheny Ludlum’s system also controls the robot and complete testing sequence.

Once the test is complete and the sample fractures, the robot removes both of the fractured ends and places them in the appropriate storage bin. Once the robot has disposed of the fractured ends, the robot will take the next sample and repeat the cycle.

"The required test information obtained from the Tinius Olsen robotic testing unit is directly and seamlessly entered into our manufacturing system software and available for all production and shipping departments to view." said Miller. "We test samples from both ends of every coil produced. No coil can be further processed or shipped unless it has passed the required testing specifications and our stringent quality control checks.

"Our current 30,000 lbf (150kN) robotic system, installed in 2001, tests 6,000 to 8,000 specimens per month in gauges between 0.020" and 0.500" to any of the 25-30 different required test programs installed in the software. The new tester adds to this testing capacity by adding the ability to test another 5,000 specimens per month on our 0.002" to 0.030" gauge thin strip material. Our new tester demonstrates

Allegheny Ludlum’s continuing investment in technology to keep us at the forefront of our industry." Allegheny Ludlum is consolidating testing facilities from different sites into one location in Leechburg, PA. Testing needs (including mechanical, corrosive, and metallography) would be performed at one location for the entire range of material that Allegheny Ludlum produces.

Allegheny Ludlum’s laboratory is a 24/7 testing facility. The horizontal tester frees up the workload of several people. "There were several key reasons why we chose Tinius Olsen as our supplier," said Miller. "First and foremost is quality and reliability. Our experience has been very good with Tinius Olsen."

"Second is the issue of support. Whenever we have experienced a problem with our existing equipment, we know that there is a supportive team waiting in the background to correct the problem."

"In addition, we chose Tinius Olsen for the training they provide, which is a huge benefit to us. We are pleased with the staff at Tinius Olsen in their training and support efforts. Our laboratory is accredited and certified by a host of organizations including NADCAP, ISO 9001, Pratt and Whitney, Rolls Royce, General Motors and General Electric to name a few."

ATI Allegheny Ludlum is a world leader in the technology, production and marketing of stainless steels and other advanced alloys, including:

• Super Stainless steels
• Titanium
• High-Nickel alloys
• Armor materials
• Tool steels
• Silicon electrical steels

And their materials are typically used in the following industries:

• Aerospace
• Auto, truck and rail
• Chemical processing
• Consumer appliances
• Electronics and communications
• Food and beverage processing equipment
• Machine and cutting tools
• Marine applications
• Desalination equipment
• Offshore oil
  
• Medical and pharmaceutical
• Mining, oil and gas extraction
• Power and energy

For more information, contact:
Tinius Olsen, Inc.
1065 Easton Road
Horsham, PA 19044 USA
Tel (215) 675-7100
Fax (215) 441-0899, www.TiniusOlsen.com.

Press Contacts:
Wayne Hayward, Marketing Manager
Tinius Olsen, Inc.
T: (215) 675-7100
F: (215) 441-0899
E: whayward@TiniusOlsen.com

Harry Streamer
Newton Associates
T: (610) 964-9300
F: (215) 964-9306
E: HarryS@newtonassociates.com