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At Advanced Powder Products, Inc. we are continuously improving. Below are some examples of how we are enhancing our business so we may better serve yours.
Nov, 2008
- APP completes first 17-4PH production runs in the Elnik Systems MIM-3000 furnace, allowing for larger volume stainless steel production.
Oct, 2008
- APP installs the new HASS Mini Mill 2, fixtures and tools.
Sept, 2008
- APP installs a Micro-compounder for development of new feedstock.
Aug, 2008
- APP molds high precision stainless parts with details as small as 0.015 inches.
July, 2008
- APP purchases a new HAAS vertical mill (due in mid-August) to support secondary machining operations associated with MIM production.
June, 2008
- In the first 6 months of 2008, APP has been approved as a supplier to new customers in medical, aviation, electrical supply and industrial equipment.
- APP does startup of high precision development furnace to support micro-molded MIM applications.
May, 2008
- APP upgrades its facility transformers to support expansion of MIM operations.
- APP introduces new tungsten heavy alloy formula (W-Ni-Fe) for micro-molded MIM applications needing improved finish and reduced defects.
April, 2008
- APP purchases a small prototype molding press to assist with quick development efforts.
- APP purchases a high temperature, high precision development furnace to support micro-molded MIM applications.
March, 2008
- APP completes yearly ISO9001 external audit.
- APP is featured in March 2008, vol.2 No.1 issue of Powder Injection Moulding International, Pg 18-19.
- APP finishes installation of a 6 cubic foot Elnik 3000 series furnace.
February, 2008
- APP switches plant nitrogen supply to new high capacity nitrogen system.
January, 2008
- APP completes yearly ISO9001 internal audit.
December, 2007
- APP purchases two used TM molybdenum hot zone vacuum furnaces for future expansion of MIM
November, 2007
- APP installs a large capacity nitrogen storage tank. This will allow for operation of larger debind and sintering furnaces.
- APP expands into the new MV Business Building to expand production floor.
October, 2007
- APP starts production of metal injection molded copper parts.
- APP adds thread tapping capability to support MIM operations
September, 2007
- APP acquires Harig surface grinder and Patterson Kelly 2 cubic foot V-mixer to support ongoing growth.
- APP starts production with highly magnetic Nickel iron alloys for metal injection molding.
August, 2007
- APP publishes summer 2007 company news letter and showcases new equipment, software, projects and personnel.
- APP implements PM software to mange equipment maintenance including scheduling and logging of maintenance events.
- APP will be at South-Tec 2007 in Charlotte, NC from October 2nd to the 4th, 2007. APP will give a presentation titled "High Performance Powdered Metal Applications" on the 4th from 12:15 to 2:00 PM.
South Tec 2007 is a link to the South Tech website.
- APP finishes upgrades to plant ventilation system to improve working environment. This is part two of a two part upgrade that includes ventilation hoods over equipment and building ventilation.
July, 2007
- APP hires Office Professional intern from South Hills Business School for summer internship. The intern will provide office support to all office and quality personnel.
- APP purchases a large capacity nitrogen storage tank to allow for continued growth. The new tank will allow operation of larger debind and sintering furnaces.
- APP upgrades plant ventilation system to improve working environment. This is part one of a two part upgrade that includes ventilation hoods over equipment and building ventilation.
June, 2007
- APP receives ASQ Six Sigma Green Belt certification for plant Engineer. This will improve implementation of quality control in new product efforts.
- APP attends Medical Design & Manufacturing East 2007 on June 12th, 2007 at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center New York, NY.
- APP receives award of Incumbent Worker Training Funds by the North Central Workforce Investment Board. This grant will be used to fund training in areas such as Production Part Approval Process and Production Failure Modes and Effects Analysis.
May, 2007
- APP will be sending two employees to take the American Society of Quality's Six Sigma Green Belt certification exam on June 2nd.
April, 2007
- APP purchases a 6 cubic foot Elnik 3000 series furnace capable of Argon, Nitrogen, Hydrogen and vacuum atmospheres. This will greatly expand the processing capacity of APP.
- APP completes its yearly ISO9001 audit without a single "non-compliance"
March, 2007
- APP will be attending DESIGN-2-PART in Valley Forge, PA from April 11th to 12th, 2007. The booth is #J09 (The event is sponsored by the Job Shop Company, www.jobshopshows.com)
- APP will be attending SOUTH-TEC in Charlotte, NC from October 2nd to the 4th, 2007. The booth is #3345. (The event is sponsored by SME, AMTDA, and AMT, www.sme.org/southtec)
February, 2007
- APP starts publication of a quarterly company newsletter. The first issue will be available by March 1st.
- APP was selected to represent Center County as part of an $185,000 state wide DEP grant project to improve energy efficiency in small businesses across PA. The grant moneys, totaling $7500, will be used to buy equipment to reduce power consumption and enable recovery of chemicals and solvents that would be potential pollutants.
- APP implements a revised PM system to ensure reliable machinery and constant flow of orders through the plant.
January, 2007
- APP upgrades order tracking, processing, and part revision controls by making significant revisions to the APP integrated database. The upgrades are part of a company wide effort to improve quality control and improve traceability throughout the production process.
- APP wins several new MIM projects using 17-4PH powders for production designs.
December, 2006
- APP completes its yearly ISO 9001:2000 internal surveillance audit and continues to improve its QMS system. Training of operators has been expanded to ensure their involvement with APP's quality and your future. This clears the way to our external audit in March.
- APP starts shipping parts for its first structural aluminum press and sinter project.
November, 2006
- APP hires a dedicated quality technician for support of final inspection and shipping. He has experience with inspection at a medical supplier and is trained in OGP Smartscope operation. This will help improve first article processing time and improve overall compliance with our ISO systems.
October, 2006
- APP purchases a seat of Pro Engineer Wildfire 3 and a new Dell workstation to support quoting and design.
September, 2006
- APP installs a new 20-ton capacity cooling system for future furnace additions. This system will provide capacity for several furnace expansions starting late this year and continuing into 2007.
August, 2006
- APP increases its MIM processing capability with the addition of a 17-ton Battenfeld injection molding machine. The molder is equipped with a Martin robot for runner removal and a Crizaf conveyor for part collection.
This machine will enhance ongoing MIM production, while freeing existing machines for new development efforts. It also adds side action and stationary ejection options needed to produce the most complex MIM parts.
July, 2006
- APP purchases a CM Micro Pusher Furnace specifically designed for extreme temperature control of ± 2°C.
June, 2006
- APP purchase a VFS all metal hot zone vacuum furnace for the sintering of titanium metal injection molded components. The furnace is specifically designed with three concentric heating zones for ± 2°C temperature control.
May, 2006
- APP enhances its inspection capabilities with the purchase of an Optical Gaging Products SmartScope
April, 2006
- APP obtains Statistical Process Control software package. The SPC system has been upgraded to WinSPC which allows real-time process control in addition to observing trends over time.
March, 2006
- APP installs new automated phone system to assist callers in reaching desired extension and reduce the occurrence of a busy signal.
December, 2005
- APP purchases an additional Arburg Injection Molding Machine specially equipped for metal injection molding of micro components.
November, 2005
- APP purchases 4 additional Lindberg debinding and sintering furnaces to meet their growing need for quick turn manufacturing and their growing diversity in materials processing.
October, 2005
- APP purchases a 6 cubic foot Lindberg debinding and sintering furnace that is specially designed for laminar gas flow for precision carbon control.
September, 2005
- APP redesigns its website to highlight its growing capability and to enhance its communication with its clients.
August, 2005
- APP purchases batch mixer for compounding small run feedstock. Vacuum capability allows for processing of highly reactive compounds.
June, 2005
- APP begins to develop technology for the centrifugal investment casting of stainless steels and titanium. Two centrifugal investment casting machines are installed.
March, 2005
- APP custom designs a quality system utilizing medical component manufacturing standards to better track its growing manufacturing business and to serve its growing medical component manufacturing business. The ISO 9001:2000 certification was performed by Global Registrars.
March, 2004
- APP commits to long term stability as a US Development and Manufacturing Company by the purchasing of land in the Moshannon Valley Regional Business Park and the construction of a 5,000 sf state-of-the-art net shape component manufacturing facility with office space, controlled atmosphere quality lab and manufacturing area
December, 2003
- APP enhances their metrology capability to meet their growing MIM and P/S prototyping and manufacturing business by purchasing a new Starrett Optical Comparator. This unit is equipped with a Quadra Chek 200 unit and fiber optic edge finding.
June, 2002
- APP produces prototype 17-4PH MIM components for the American Tool Box Multi Tool that wins the consumer acceptance award at the National Hardware Show.
April, 2002
- APP purchases new high precision 45T Gasbarre Press specifically designed for high production rate manufacturing. The machine is equipped with a special tonnage monitoring device to accommodate stringent process control required for automotive and medical quality standards.
October, 2001
- APP purchases new specifically designed Arburg injection molding machine for high precision powder injection molding. The machine is equipped to accommodate the most complex molds, has position regulation on the hydraulic controls to allow for precision shot-to-shot control, and a special quality monitoring software package.
August, 2000
- Utilizing funding from the Ben Franklin Award, APP develops custom compounded feedstock for metal and ceramic injection molding using a proprietary binder system which was formulated to eliminate many of the shortcomings of contemporary systems. The system is designed for slow injection to allow for better control of the molding process and for higher green strength. This high strength allows for the fabrication of micro components and for mass manufacturing at high production rates. The deficiencies eliminated include - voids, flow lines, weld lines, flash, and tensile elongation issues associated with inhomogeneous microstructures.
June, 2000
- APP wins the Ben Franklin's "The Big $25,000 Idea" Contest for the best business plan in a 27 county area. APP utilizes the SBDC at Penn State to help write business plan and receives incorporation advice.
May, 2000
- APP installs twin screw continuous reaction compounding unit that is specially equipped to handle highly abrasive powders.
April, 2000
- APP incorporates and sets up to sell specially formulated P/M alloy additions for the casting industry. Through the proper selection of alloy powder chemistries and particle size distributions, APP generates its own niche market for metallurgical solutions.
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