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
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