Bonal Technologies, Inc. to Showcase Meta-Lax Stress Relief System and Black Magic at EASTEC in Booth #3053
ROYAL OAK, Mich., May 14, 2009 - Bonal Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Bonal International, Inc. (OTC: BONL), is showcasing its computerized Meta-Lax® sub-harmonic stress relief interface console and Black Magic at EASTEC Advanced Productivity Exposition in Booth #3053, held in Springfield, Mass.
Meta-Lax® sub-harmonic stress relief
The Meta-Lax process vibrates a workpiece at its sub-harmonic energy level. The sub-harmonic zone is the optimum zone when using vibration. All metal structures exhibit harmonic and non-harmonic behavior. A metal component that contains thermal stress displays its harmonic curve as being out of phase from its natural frequency location, much like a musical instrument being out of tune. By applying sub-harmonic vibrational energy, the pockets of high stress concentrations are redistributed, thereby reducing the effects of thermal stress. Graphically, the harmonic curve shifts slightly but stabilizes into its natural frequency as the workpiece becomes relieved of thermal stress. Meta-Lax equipment "certifies" stress relief in one of three ways; manual, graphic, or computerized. Meta-Lax stress relief certification is considered the standard in the vibration stress relief industry. In addition, Meta-Lax can be used during welding to condition weldments against distortion, cracking, and weld defects.
The Meta-Lax system can be used with all types of materials such as low and medium carbon steel, tool steel, aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron (gray, nodular and meehanite) and exotic metals like titanium, inconel, magnesium and gold.
Black Magic
Black Magic uses Bonal's Meta-Lax® Stress Relief, a sub-harmonic stress relief technology for metal improvement solutions. Black Magic is the ultimate distortion controller and is specifically designed to control distortion in metal parts less than 300 pounds.
Black Magic induces a mild energy into the single or batch of parts placed on its platform. This energy is based on the weight load of the components being treated. The energy level is maintained for 25 to 65 minutes depending on the type of material. The result is less distortion in the subsequent processing. Black Magic should be used immediately before each manufacturing step where distortion is anticipated. These manufacturing steps may include machining, grinding, EDM, hardening, welding, heat treating and sawing. This process enables companies to use less machining and manufacturing time and as a result have greater productivity and profitability.
Black Magic is a vibration platform that comes in three sizes: 12x18 inches with a 50 pound capacity, 15x30 inches with a 150 pound capacity and 18x36 inches with a 300 pound capacity. The equipment has self contained electronics, vibration generator and heavy-duty rubber feet. Black Magic can be placed on a workbench or portable cart. No operator training is needed since only two dials need to be set - the weight of the load that is on the table and the material classification. Once dials have been set, the operator presses the "run" button and Black Magic processes the part(s) until complete and shuts the equipment off. Black Magic is calibrated to Meta-Lax standards for five distinct weight loads and three material classifications.
According to Bonal research Black Magic can help customers:
o Reduce distortion up to 85 percent
o Reduce grind time up to 75 percent
o Reduce machine time up to 50 percent
o Reduce scrap up to 100 percent
o Improves productivity and profits
"Since there is essentially no overlap with our other product lines, the potential market for Black Magic is very large," said Greg Merritt, director of marketing. "We see Black Magic as a high-growth product for Bonal and we expect to have further success with customers who specialize in high performance products like engine builders, gunsmiths, EDM component companies, tool rooms and machine shops."
John Crane Canada is currently using Black Magic to cut down on distortion of several parts it machines. Prior to using Black Magic, the company would let the parts sit between machining and finish machining to help relax the stress. In some cases, the company spent money to get critical parts heat treated in a vacuum to prevent oxidizing.
"We decided to use Bonal's Black Magic as a way to reduce distortion and maintain control of the manufacturing process in house at a reasonable cost. Heat treating in a vacuum was a costly and time-intensive process. We decided to find a tool we could use in house and fit on shop floor so we could maintain control of the manufacturing process," said Allan Bothwright, operations manager of John Crane Canada. "Since John Crane Canada landed a large contract for split seals, we could not afford to let finished parts sit due to capacity constraints and needed to have our finished parts be within +/- 1 thousandth. We would have had to run more shifts at the plant. We eliminated part finish machining on four of the seven dimensions and are working to get the others eliminated. Black Magic has helped to cut down the cycle time and overall machining hours. The best part - it has been simple to use too."
Extreme Custom Marine, located in Santa Ana, Cal., started using Black Magic for stress relief of its engine and drive components for the marine industry.
"We conducted research to find out what other companies had done in the high performance engine building industry for stress relief. After our research, we decided to use Bonal's Black Magic for distortion control to give Extreme Custom Marine an edge in the marine engine industry," said Paul Huddleston, owner, Extreme Custom Marine. "The product will help us to maintain our high-quality custom engine and drive components. Black Magic also provides our company an insurance policy to be sure our products won't fail at a reasonable cost. It fit right in with what we wanted to accomplish."
Black Magic is also available through the GSA Advantage website
www.gsaadvantage.gov). Bonal is a GSA contract holder, allowing the ease of product acquisition for federal agencies and their qualified tier one suppliers.
Bonal Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Bonal International, Inc. (otc, BONL) is the world's leading provider of sub-harmonic stress relief technology for metal improvement solutions with more than 35 years of expertise. Headquartered in Royal Oak, Mich., Bonal Technologies, Inc. provides solutions to prevent distortion and cracking for metal components. Bonal's patented technology and Meta-Lax® Stress Relief are sold in the US and in 49 countries. The company serves customers in a wide range of industries - aerospace, automotive, construction equipment, defense/ homeland security, die casting, engine building/racing, foundries, machine tool/mold making, mining, petroleum, power, plastic molding, shipbuilding, structural steel construction, steel producers and welding/fabricating industries.
Bonal Technologies, Inc.
1300 North Campbell Road,
Royal Oak,
MI 48067
USA
Voice: (248) 582-0900 or 800 Metal-29
info@bonal.com
www.bonal.com
Media contact:
Janine M. Krasicky,
J9 Media Solutions LLC
(248) 542-3991
(248) 514-4558 (mobile)
