In every year of the millennium so far, more steelplant has been commissioned than was put to work in the whole of the previous decade. The design and manufacturing techniques for steelplant engineering that were previously neglected are now being realised, leading to reenergised blast furnaces, slab casters, rolling mills and mechanical shearing.
Techniques to teach steelmaking and steel processing within an undergraduate curriculum can be problematic. However, there is an alternative in the form of steeluniversity.org, which aims to provide e-learning resources covering all aspects of iron and steelmaking, including applications and recycling.
Advances in manufacturing technology for machine bricks have led to reduced costs and more efficient production techniques. The Director of York Handmade Brick Company, UK, explains the enduring popularity of handmade bricks for their aesthetic value.
Ceramic manufacturers are paying more attention to elements of production, namely the area around the kiln, that drain energy. Dyson Thermal Technologies have worked for five years to create Dylite, a cordierite alumina/silica/magnesia material that is half the weight of standard cordierite. This process reduces energy consumption leading to fuel savings and faster firing cycles increase kiln speed leading to greater throughput.
Traditionally concrete roofing tiles have been preferred as a low-cost option to clay counterparts. However, legislation is putting an ever increasing focus on sustainable building and materials. Advances in manufacturing techniques together with greater design flexibility are producing more cost effective solutions for clay.
Clay roof tile revival has seen various threats from cheap imports to dwindling customer orders. Neil Tobin of Keymer Tiles shows how the company has adapted. Customers are attracted to UK-made tiles, opening up new markets in the USA, and the use of different colours and the environmentally friendly use of longer lasting tiles.
A new generation of manufacturing technology, including the use of higher capacity kilns and state-of-the-art IT systems, are increasing efficiency and reducing costs during china sanitaryware production.
The UK-based Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology has been actively developing rheoforming or melt processing technologies. This technology is used to promote the transformation of liquid alloys into solid products. Components produced from rheoformed technology have an improved mechanical performance and this process could reshape the metallurgical industry.
