Solar Manufacturing Inc. announced the sale of vacuum furnaces to Hitachi Metals North Carolina Ltd. of China Grove, N.C. These furnaces will be used for very unique applications for the processing of rare-earth magnet materials. The requirements on each furnace include the incorporation of a specialized gas backfill and flow control arrangement supported by gas reservoir tanks. The furnace insulation includes a Flexshield carbon-fiber-reinforced graphite-foil hot face backed by three layers of ½-inch graphite-felt insulation, all housed within a 304 stainless steel support ring. The furnaces also include an internal gas cooling system capable of operating positive pressure for expediting cycle times.