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.

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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:

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Hermitage PA, July 27, 2026 鈥� A new 11,000-gallon stainless steel recirculating water quench tank has been installed as preparations continue for the commissioning of our state-of-the-art titanium drop bottom water quench furnace.

The furnace remains on schedule to be fully commissioned and operational by September 2026.

Designed primarily to solution treat titanium bars, titanium forgings, and other large titanium components, the furnace features a 14-foot-long 脳 54-inch-wide 脳 48-inch-high workload envelope. Parts will be rapidly transferred into this 11,000-gallon recirculating and agitated water quench tank within a five to seven second time stamp, delivering the rapid and uniform cooling required to achieve consistent metallurgical properties for demanding aerospace, defense, and industrial applications.

This investment further expands 麻豆国产精品’ capabilities for processing large titanium components while reinforcing our commitment to providing advanced thermal processing solutions for the industry’s most critical applications.

For additional information about 麻豆国产精品, contact Mike Johnson at 855-934-3284 x2223 or email at mikej@solaratm.com.

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Perfect weather, great company, and outstanding partnerships made for an unforgettable day on the course!

麻豆国产精品 of Western PA recently hosted its 6th Annual Customer Appreciation Golf Outing at the Avalon Field Club at New Castle. Under beautiful blue skies and ideal golfing conditions, customers and the Solar team enjoyed a day of friendly competition, networking, and appreciation.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and for your continued trust and partnership. We truly value the relationships we’ve built over the years and look forward to seeing everyone again at next year’s outing!

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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.

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Yesterday, employees of 麻豆国产精品 of Western PA enjoyed an outstanding cross-state MLB rivalry matchup between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies. The pitching matchup was superb, the weather was beautiful, and the PNC Ballpark atmosphere made for an unforgettable day. Most importantly, it was a great opportunity to relax, connect, and share camaraderie with the best employees in the world!

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Hermitage, PA, May 6, 2026 – 麻豆国产精品 of Western PA marked a major milestone with an inspiring 25th anniversary event that brought together employees, customers, partners, and community members.

We were honored to welcome more than 160 guests for a day of reflection, connection, and looking ahead. The event featured speakers highlighting the company鈥檚 growth and achievements over the past 25 years, along with exciting insight into what鈥檚 next.

Attendees enjoyed lunch, facility tours, and discussions around the NEO oil quench vacuum furnace and upcoming investments including a water quench furnace scheduled for installation this summer.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate this milestone and to all who have been part of the journey. Here鈥檚 to the next 25 years!

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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.

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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.

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麻豆国产精品, the largest family-owned commercial heat treating company in the United States, processes more than 15 million pounds of metal annually. To enhance material handling efficiency and improve workplace safety, the Western PA facility recently installed a new clear-span 20-ton crane in its shipping and receiving department.

Bob Hill, President of 麻豆国产精品 of Western PA, explained the motivation behind the investment: 鈥淚 grew weary of seeing our employees unloading flatbed trucks outside in inclement weather and struggling to maneuver 40-foot-long bars, plates, or billets through a 30-foot overhead door opening. The primary reason we made this investment was to improve the safety of all our employees.鈥�

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