Ipsen USA recently embarked on an initiative to double its number of regional sales engineers (RSEs). The company’s RSEs engage customers with the objective of improving furnace performance and increasing service life. Recent hires include Midwest RSE Joyce Paliganoff, Southeast RSE Patrick Heiser and West/Northwest RSE Larry Gomez.

GE Additive announced that GE Aviation made a significant investment in its electron-beam-melting (EBM) technology with the purchase of an additional 27 systems. Avio Aero, a GE Aviation company, currently operates a fleet of 35 Arcam machines at its recently expanded site in Cameri, Italy. The additional EBM systems will be installed at GE Aviation and Avio Aero facilities in the U.S. and Europe. They will be used primarily for the production of titanium aluminide (TiAl) blades on the low-pressure turbine for the GE9X engine.

Andritz received an order from China’s Qinghai Zhuofeng New Material Co. Ltd. to supply two continuous annealing and processing lines, each with an annual capacity of 110,000 tons. Start-up is scheduled for the second quarter of 2021 (line 1) and the second quarter of 2022 (line 2). The lines will produce high-quality, flat aluminum product for the automotive industry. Andritz’s scope of supply also includes automation technology and commissioning.

Noodle.ai and SMS group announced a partnership to further optimize the world’s first learning steel mill for Arkansas-based Big River Steel. The joint solution was created by implementing Noodle.ai’s learning algorithms into SMS group’s X-Pact MES 4.0. Noodle.ai was able to leverage the existing integration of SMS group’s X-Pact MES 4.0 in the steel mill‘s IT environment and in their SaaS (Software as a Service) applications. The new end solutions digitize applications throughout every stage of the steelmaking process, from the liquid phase all the way to strip finishing.

Mercury Marine opened the 23,500-square-foot expansion to its die-casting facility in Fond du Lac, Wis. The $9 million investment provides space for capacity increases, allowing the company to make complex blocks, driveshafts and gear cases for Mercury outboards. The addition will be filled with large-tonnage die-casting equipment, including a 4,500-ton machine, that will drive higher quality and better throughput to keep up with increased engine demand.

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products Inc. reported that they experienced a fire at its North Jackson, Ohio, facility Friday, June 14. The fire was contained to a hydraulic radial forging machine. There were no injuries associated with the fire, and all other production units continue to operate. Clean-up and repair activities commenced immediately after the fire was extinguished.

Indiana Wheel Corp. (IWC), a manufacturing company specializing in the production and distribution of steel wheels, plans to establish operations in Plymouth, Ind., and create up to 117 new jobs over the next few years. The company, which is a joint venture led by China’s Jingu Company Ltd., will invest approximately $23 million to purchase, renovate and equip a 300,000-square-foot production facility in Plymouth. The plant will include more than $14.5 million of specially designed equipment to support IWC’s manufacturing operations for the trailer and RV industries. Upgrades will begin this summer with production expected to start later this year.

HP Inc. opened its 3D Printing and Digital Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Barcelona, Spain. The facility brings together hundreds of additive-manufacturing experts in more than 150,000 square feet of space and is dedicated to the development of HP’s industrial 3D-printing portfolio. It integrates flexible and interactive layouts, co-development environments and fleets of HP metals and plastics 3D production systems to drive rapid and agile product development. Companies such as BASF, GKN Metallurgy, Siemens, Volkswagen and others across the automotive, industrial and healthcare markets will collaborate with HP on new 3D-printing and digital-manufacturing innovations at the Center.

Dave Strand was hired by Wisconsin Oven Corp. as a shop worker in 1986. In 2019, he retires as president and CEO of Thermal Product Solutions, the parent company of Wisconsin Oven. Strand dedicated 33 years to the continued growth of Wisconsin Oven, and his presence will be greatly missed by employees, customers and community partners.

Fives received an order from Baosteel, the largest automotive steel producer in China, to supply the complete thermal portion for a continuous annealing line (CAL) with a production capacity of 630,000 tons per year. The CAL, which aims to produce both standard steel grades and advanced high-strength steels, includes a Stein Digiflex furnace and Celes induction heaters. The first coil is scheduled to be produced by the end of 2021.