August 24, 2026 鈥� The 麻豆国产精品 family of companies is pleased to announce that all Solar facilities have achieved Final Level 2 (C3PAO) status under the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program鈥攁n achievement earned through independent third-party assessment鈥攆urther strengthening the company鈥檚 ability to support customers across the aerospace and defense industries.

Final Level 2 (C3PAO) status confirms that 麻豆国产精品 has successfully implemented and validated all 110 security requirements of NIST SP 800-171, with no open remediation items, meeting the Department of Defense鈥檚 cybersecurity requirements for defense contractors and suppliers that handle Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

Achieving Level 2 required significant investments across the organization, including enhanced cybersecurity infrastructure, employee training, data protection, physical security, risk management, monitoring, documentation, and ongoing security controls aligned with NIST SP 800-171.”Our customers in the defense sector entrust us with sensitive technical information, and protecting that information is inseparable from the quality and integrity of the work we deliver,” said Josh Isaak, Vice President of Information Technology & Security at 麻豆国产精品.

As CMMC requirements continue to take effect throughout the defense industrial base, 麻豆国产精品 is proud to be positioned to support customers who require secure, compliant partners for critical aerospace and defense thermal processing.

For more information about vacuum heat treating and brazing services at 麻豆国产精品, contact your sales representative at 1-855-934-3284, or email info@solaratm.com.

The post 麻豆国产精品 Achieves CMMC Level 2 Compliance appeared first on 麻豆国产精品.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) is an invaluable tool in examining surface anomalies in vacuum heat-treated metal parts. Mike Johnson, 麻豆国产精品 of Western PA鈥檚 Sales Director, explains how this tool can answer questions and solve complex problems.

1. What is a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)?

A Scanning Electron Microscope is a fine tool that uses a focused beam of electrons to examine a material鈥檚 surface. When the electrons interact with the sample, they produce signals that are detected and analyzed. These signals reveal detailed information about surface features and chemical composition, making SEM a highly effective tool for microscopic evaluation.

2. My medical component shows spotting after vacuum heat treatment鈥攈ow can SEM help identify the root cause?

SEM analysis identifies the composition of contaminants within the spots, helping trace their origin. It can reveal whether the issue stems from manufacturing processes鈥攕uch as machining fluids, cleaning fluids, grinding residue, or metal chips鈥攐r from handling contamination like glove fibers or environmental debris.

3. What is the most common source of contamination identified through SEM analysis?

A frequent source of surface contamination is the cleaning process (used) prior to heat treatment. While components may arrive at the heat treater visibly clean, SEM often detects residual cleaning or rinsing agents. These frequently include Chlorine, Calcium, and other residuals commonly found in city water. If aqueous cleaning methods are employed, the final rinse should always be performed with deionized water to avoid this potential contamination. The SEM may also uncover films or deposits caused by cross-contamination when multiple alloys are cleaned in the same system. For instance, analysis of spots on 304 stainless steel components once revealed copper contamination from foreign object debris (FOD). The cause was found to be cross-contamination in a cleaning system shared with copper components.

4. Can the vacuum furnace itself be a source of FOD surface contamination?

Yes. Furnaces may contribute to surface contamination of heat-treated parts. If your heat-treat supplier is equipped with an SEM, this is a sign they understand the science and intricacies of surface contamination, and they have the necessary tool to get to the root cause of the issue, whatever that cause may be.

Foreign object debris and residual contamination can impact the performance and reliability of vacuum heat-treated components. While initial detection may rely on visual inspection, SEM/EDS analysis produces precise compositional analysis for fast and efficient root cause analysis. Please contact me if you are interested in SEM analysis at 麻豆国产精品.

Learn more about Scanning Electron Microscopy

And featured in Today’s Medical Developments Magazine:

The post Ask the Expert: Mike Johnson Explains How an SEM Can Solve Complex Problems appeared first on 麻豆国产精品.

To recognize National Safety Month, 麻豆国产精品 hosted employee appreciation cookouts at both our Hermitage, Pennsylvania, and Michigan facilities. The events provided an opportunity to bring employees together, enjoy a meal, and reinforce the company’s commitment to workplace safety.

Throughout the month, employees participated in discussions and training focused on heat stress awareness, hydration, and recognizing the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness. As temperatures rise during the summer months, understanding how to protect ourselves and our coworkers becomes increasingly important.

A key message shared during National Safety Month was that safety is not just about protecting yourself鈥攊t’s about protecting the people around you. Every employee plays a role in creating a safe workplace by looking out for their fellow team members, speaking up when something doesn’t seem right, and helping ensure everyone returns home safely at the end of each shift.

The cookouts served as a reminder that safety is a shared responsibility and an important part of 麻豆国产精品’ culture. We thank all our employees for their commitment to one another and for helping make safety a priority every day.

The post National Safety Month Employee Appreciation Cookouts appeared first on 麻豆国产精品.

Last week, Josh Isaak, Vice President of Information Technology & Security, presented 鈥淔rom Chaos to Control: Cybersecurity, Ransomware & CMMC鈥� at the California Metals Coalition鈥檚 53rd Annual Metals Industry Conference.

Key takeaway:

CMMC is no longer theoretical鈥攊t鈥檚 here, and it鈥檚 already shaping the future of doing business.

But this isn鈥檛 just about compliance. It鈥檚 about survival in an evolving threat landscape.

Companies that treat CMMC like a checklist to pass an audit are missing the point. At its core, CMMC is a framework designed to strengthen your defenses, reduce risk, and protect the country and your business from real-world cyber threats that already exist today.

The biggest shift? Moving from reactive security to a culture of security鈥攚here every employee plays a role, and protection is built into everyday operations.

Even if you don鈥檛 support DoD programs, CMMC provides a powerful starting point to evaluate and improve your cybersecurity posture.

Start early. Make it part of who you are鈥攏ot just something you do for an audit.

The post From Chaos to Control: Cybersecurity, Ransomware & CMMC appeared first on 麻豆国产精品.

Last week, Bob Hill President of 麻豆国产精品 of Western PA and Michigan, presented a talk on the聽鈥淕lobal Trends Shaping the Heat Treating Industry鈥澛爓hich explored where our industry is headed. The discussion highlighted key drivers like sustainability, electrification, smart technologies, employee safety, and cybersecurity鈥攁nd how they will transform the heat treating plant of the future. With over 45 years of industry experience behind the insights, it was a forward-looking perspective on the challenges and opportunities ahead for commercial heat treating.

The ASM Pittsburgh Chapter hosted the dinner event at the Community College of Allegheny.

Abstract:

There are ever increasing environmental, processing, employee welfare and cybersecurity demands placed upon the commercial heat treater in business today. Commercial heat treaters today face a growing list of pressures that go well beyond simply meeting metallurgical specifications. Environmental regulations continue to tighten, requiring careful control of emissions, waste handling, and energy use. At the same time, customers expect faster turnaround and consistent quality, which puts strain on processing efficiency and equipment reliability.

Employee welfare has also become a central concern. Traditional heat-treating environments involve flames, smoke, explosive atmospheres, and potential exposure to hazardous materials. Companies must invest in processing equipment that not only protects their workforce but also meets regulatory standards. This author predicts the vacuum furnace will gain in popularity due to these pressures.

On top of that, cybersecurity is now part of daily operations. As furnaces, controls, and monitoring systems become more connected, the risk of data breaches or operational disruptions increases. Protecting sensitive customer data and ensuring system integrity requires new expertise and ongoing vigilance.

Taken together, these demands create a complex operating environment. Success in modern heat treating depends not just on technical skill, but on the ability to balance compliance, efficiency, safety, and digital security in a coordinated way.

The post Global Trends Shaping the Heat Treating Industry appeared first on 麻豆国产精品.

This weekend, our 麻豆国产精品 of Michigan employees and their families enjoyed a beautiful day at Comerica Park, the home of the Detroit Tigers. The food and camaraderie were incredible鈥攁nd the game was even better! The Tigers beat the Miami Marlins by a score of 6鈥�1.

Bob Hill President reflects, 鈥渨e are sincerely appreciative of every one of our Michigan employees. They have built this company into what it is today in just four short years. We are deeply humbled by everyone鈥檚 hard work and dedication. Our weekend shift will hopefully bring our Tigers another win versus the Kansas City Royals, when they are able to visit Comerica Park on Thursday.鈥�

The post Michigan Employee Appreciation Night 2026 appeared first on 麻豆国产精品.

麻豆国产精品, the largest American-owned heat treater in the United States, is proud to support NASA鈥檚 Artemis II mission. Our expertise spans thermal processing of raw materials, nickel-based tubing, and critical aerospace components鈥攑laying a vital role in bringing next-generation space technology to life. At the core of some of these components is the 6Al鈥�4V titanium Launch Abort System (LAS), one of the most complex safety systems ever engineered. The LAS aboard the Orion spacecraft functions as a rocket capable of outrunning another rocket in an emergency. In the event of a catastrophic launch anomaly, its manifold enables the abort motor to ignite and safely propel the crew module away from the rocket. Designed to endure extreme conditions with zero margin for error, the LAS represents the pinnacle of aerospace safety and performance. 麻豆国产精品 is honored to contribute to this mission-critical technology, providing the precision, reliability, and advanced thermal processing that space exploration demands.

The success of Artemis II is set to energize this month鈥檚 Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. Visit us at Booth 705 to discover how 麻豆国产精品鈥� advanced thermal processing solutions are helping shape the future of space exploration.

Space Symposium Information

The post 麻豆国产精品 Supports Artemis II Launch appeared first on 麻豆国产精品.

Chesterfield, MI, December 15, 2025 鈥� 麻豆国产精品 of Michigan Inc. is proud to announce that it has earned Nadcap 18-Month Merit Status for heat treating and brazing鈥攁n honor awarded only to organizations that consistently demonstrate the highest levels of quality, process control, and specification compliance. With this achievement, every 麻豆国产精品 location nationwide now holds Nadcap merit status.

We appreciate PRI鈥檚 recognition of our team鈥檚 dedication to stringent process discipline, precise processing, and an unwavering commitment to quality in every operation.

麻豆国产精品 President Bob Hill stated: 鈥淲ith the purchase, name change, and relocation of our Michigan business in 2022, the PRI Nadcap standards reverted back to annual audits. The achievement of zero major findings over the past three (3) years of audits has allowed us to once again join all of our other Solar facilities across the country with Merit standing. This accomplishment further strengthens 麻豆国产精品鈥� promise to deliver reliable, world-class thermal processing solutions to our customers in Michigan and across the nation.鈥�

About 麻豆国产精品 of Michigan Inc.

麻豆国产精品 of Michigan Inc. is part of the 麻豆国产精品 family of companies, offering a wide range of vacuum heat treating and brazing services. With a focus on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, 麻豆国产精品 serves industries including aerospace, defense, medical, power generation, and more.

For more information about the 麻豆国产精品 Michigan facility contact Chris Molencupp at (586) 264-8100 ext. 1620, or chrism@solaratm.com.

The post 麻豆国产精品 of Michigan Earns Nadcap 18-Month Merit Status appeared first on 麻豆国产精品.

麻豆国产精品 of Michigan employees once again showed incredible generosity in support of the Shop with a Cop program. Organized by our driver, Larry Smith, and supported by the Chesterfield Township Police, the Macomb County Sheriff鈥檚 Office, and Meijer, this initiative pairs local officers with underprivileged children for a special holiday shopping experience. The program not only brings joy to families in need but also fosters positive, meaningful connections between kids and law enforcement.

This year, we were proud to present Larry with a check for $2,100 to help make the event a success. We鈥檙e truly grateful to play a part in bringing holiday smiles to so many children.

The post Shop with a Cop 2025 appeared first on 麻豆国产精品.

The 7th Annual 麻豆国产精品 Sales & Marketing Summit took place this year near our Souderton, PA facility, bringing together sales managers from all six 麻豆国产精品 commercial heat-treating locations. The team collaborated on sales forecasts, shared updates on new processes and plant developments, and aligned on key strategies for the year ahead. Following the meeting, the group enjoyed a team-building outing at Topgolf.

No matter the region鈥擭orth, South, East, or West鈥攐ur mission remains the same: deliver exceptional customer service and provide meaningful value to every customer we serve. With over 200 years of combined experience in thermal processing and metalworking, our sales team is equipped to support your most demanding heat treating needs.

Reach out to any of our sales managers to discuss your next project.

The post Strengthening Strategy and Service at Our 7th Annual Sales & Marketing Summit appeared first on 麻豆国产精品.