VAC AERO's Oakville Thermal Processing Division has undertaken a major re-organization effort to further improve production efficiency.

The project includes building renovations for expansion of manufacturing space combined with equipment re-locations and new equipment additions to improve part flow and reduce turn-around-times. All changes have been carefully planned using lean manufacturing concepts. In close cooperation with a customer, a Kanban system has already been successfully implemented for one major heat treating program and is expected to be expanded to other programs in the near future. New energy efficient lighting is also being installed in the company's three Oakville facilities. The re-organization is scheduled for completion by the end of August, 2009 with little to no impact on ongoing operations.

OAKVILLE, Ontario, (January 12, 2009) –  VAC AERO’s Furnace Manufacturing Division recently received new vacuum furnace orders from six different repeat customers. Most of the orders will be delivered in the first half of 2009 to locations in the United States, Canada and Asia. The contracts range from high vacuum, high temperature units for ultra-clean processing to heat treating and brazing furnaces for aerospace applications. The new contracts are valued at approximately CDN$ 5.5 million. In addition to the furnace contracts, VAC AERO has been awarded orders totaling more than $500,000 for hot zone replacement and restorations. VAC AERO has been building heat treating equipment since 1970 and specializes in the design and manufacture of high temperature vacuum furnace systems and controls for the global market.

VAC AERO will be installing another large vacuum oil quench furnace which will be the fourth such furnace in operation at its Oakville, Ontario Thermal Processing facility.

The new furnace is required to accommodate the continuing strong demand for VAC AERO's vacuum oil quench process. It will be used for vacuum hardening of large aircraft landing gear components and other high strength steel components. The new furnace is a VAC AERO Model VAV 7272-VOQ that will be designed and built by VAC AERO's Furnace Manufacturing Division. It is expected to be commissioned by the 4th quarter of 2009. To complement the new oil quench furnace, additional parts washing and tempering capabilities have already been installed.

VAC AERO’s vacuum oil quench process is proven itself to be far superior in terms of cost and distortion control.

VAC AERO’s vacuum oil quench furnaces can process vertical loads up to 72” in diameter and 126” high. VAC AERO also has the capability to harden certain high strength steel components using high pressure gas quenching technology. However, for medium and large size parts, the vacuum oil quench process has proven itself to be far superior in terms of cost and distortion control and in achieving consistent mechanical properties in thicker section sizes. VAC AERO’s oil quench furnaces are designed for direct vertical quenching on high speed elevators without the need for horizontal transfer. This results in very smooth motion and quench delays of less than 10 seconds for loads up to 126” high.

VAC AERO developed its vacuum oil quenching technology in 1980 and now operates the world’s largest vacuum oil quench furnaces.

VAC AERO’s Oakville Thermal Processing Division is approved for vacuum oil quenching of components for all major commercial and military aircraft programs. The company holds NADCAP and AS9100 accreditations along with numerous customer-specific approvals.

VAC AERO’s Oakville Furnace Manufacturing Division continues to be busy. Contracts have recently been completed for customers in the Philippines, U.K. and the United States.

Final commissioning activities are almost complete for installations in Russia and Korea. New orders have been received from customers in Poland, the United States and Canada. VAC AERO’s newest interactive furnace control systems are becoming increasingly popular, fuelling the demand for VAC AERO furnaces. These systems will soon be offered with an energy optimization capability that will help reduce electrical expenses. VAC AERO’s Furnace Manufacturing Division is also supporting the company’s own internal expansion plans by building equipment for VAC AERO’s heat treating facilities in Canada and Poland. More on Heat Treating Services.

OAKVILLE, Ontario, (July 17, 2008) –  VAC AERO has been awarded an order for two large vacuum furnaces from Bodycote, the world's largest supplier of thermal processing services. The equipment is destined for Bodycote's facility in Berlin, Connecticut. Both vertical, bottom-loading furnaces have work zone areas 72" diameter by 72" high, VAC AERO's unique graphite felt and carbon composite hot zone insulation, and lanthanated molybdenum elements mounted circumferentially and on top and bottom end shields. The furnace operating systems are based on VAC AERO's versatile hybrid control package with SCADA and complete network integration capabilities. VAC AERO has been building heat treating equipment since 1970 and specializes in the design and manufacture of high temperature vacuum furnaces for the global market. 

HIGHTEMP VAC AERO Pvt. Ltd. recently commissioned its first vacuum furnace at the joint venture’s facility in Nelamangala near Bangalore, India.

The furnace was built to the VAC AERO Model VAH 3436 HV-2 design with 2 bar pressure quench and high vacuum capabilities. The unit was assembled entirely in India with support from VAC AERO technicians in Canada. It is currently being used for production heat treating and brazing in commercial applications. Approvals for processing of aerospace parts are underway. The HIGHTEMP VAC AERO joint venture offers vacuum heat treating and brazing services as well as the manufacture of vacuum furnaces for the Asian market. Additional vacuum processing capacity will be added in India as demand for services grows. More on Furnace Manufacturing.

VAC AERO’s Boucherville, Quebec facility has long held thermal spray and inorganic paint approvals for a variety of coating applications.

Recently, the facility has become approved for a complementary grinding capability that allows it to act as a one-stop shop for applying and finishing chrome oxide coatings and paint used on turbine shafts and seal runners. The facility has installed two grinders capable of processing parts up to 12” in diameter and 60” long. It also operates four, fully automated thermal spray booths and two large paint booths. These special processes are now all fully approved to Pratt & Whitney Canada’s stringent CPW33-48 specification. Approvals for other coating compositions are underway.

VAC AERO’s skilled engineers have extensive experience in developing the best coating solutions for both new parts and those needing restoration or repair. Contact VAC AERO to discuss your coating requirements. More on Coating Services.