Scot Forge recently exhibited at the 2018 Global Petroleum Show in Calgary. Read a summary of our most discussed topics. Scot Forge recently exhibited at the 2018 Global Petroleum Show from June 12 - 14 in Calgary. Much of our discussions centered around material requirements for subsea oil & gas forgings. We felt it would be most beneficial to summarize our talking points here for our customers! Forgings are used for a multitude of subsea applications to help extract and move oil and gas. In order to remove the crude oil and natural gas from under the sea bed, companies must mine underwater. When selecting steel to use for offshore applications, corrosion resistance and hardness are the top concerns. Some subsea components, including pipeline, blowout preventers and riser tubes, are used extensively in subsea oil and gas drilling. Subsea applications are exposed to some of the most aggressive environments on earth. Because many of these components are completely submersed on the ocean floor, they must be able to withstand the corrosive ecosystem, high pressures, strong currents and underwater objects and debris. All metals can technically corrode; some, like pure iron, corrode very fast while others, like stainless steel, are slower to corrode and therefore are used more frequently for subsea forgings. Both duplex and super duplex stainless steel variations are resistant to corrosion and stress cracking. The most common materials used for subsea pipelines and risers include grades F91, 4340 and 4130…with 4130 being the most prevalent. However, as the oil and gas industry continues to regain steam, changes to oil and gas specifications requiring larger cross sections may cause more companies to push for F91 over 4130. This is something forging suppliers should be aware of and communicate with oil & gas customers. Additionally, working in the offshore industry or supplying products for subsea applications often requires ABS or DNV certification. Scot Forge understands where in the manufacturing or construction process the certification is required and can work with customers/suppliers to help minimize costs and production delays while ensuring that products obtain the certifications needed. At Scot Forge our technically trained sales team, backed by our forging development team and metallurgists, can provide the support needed to improve and prove-out component designs and manufacturability. We have extensive experience working directly with OEMs and understand the end-use applications, expectations and specifications…making Scot Forge easier to work with and more reliable.

Here are the top 5 most discussed topics we heard at the 2018 34th Space Symposium and our takeaways. Scot Forge recently exhibited at the 34th Space Symposium from April 16 - 19, 2018 in Colorado Springs, and boy did we learn a lot! Rather than the experience just benefiting Scot Forge, we want to share what we learned to our customers in the aerospace industry. Here are the top 5 most discussed topics we heard at the show and our takeaways. Jorgensen Forge Shut Down It was announced during the Space Symposium that Jorgensen Forge, an open-die and rolled ring forging supplier, will cease operations and close this year for good. For the forging world, this means that a key aerospace supplier has stopped quoting new orders and is telling their customers to start transitioning to competitive suppliers. Jorgensen is well known in the aerospace industry for supplying lighter rolled rings up to 220” OD for Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE). This news came as quite a shock to Jorgensen’s customers, who were attending the Space Symposium. Nobody likes surprises (unless it’s their birthday… and even then, not all the time). This is especially true of the aerospace market and this news has left several companies in a panic as they struggle to find new suppliers to help in meeting their delivery needs to stay on schedule. Hypersonics There was a significant amount of discussion at the Space Symposium about the advancements in hypersonic technology throughout the world, mainly focused on Kinzhal, Russia’s new hypersonic missile. It’s been reported that Kinzhal can travel as fast as Mach 10 over a distance as great as 1,200 miles, all while maneuvering. If this is true, the new Russian missile would be able to tear through the most highly developed US defenses. Additionally, China has claimed they have a hypersonic missile that could reach the US mainland, along with testing a ballistic missile paired with a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). France and India have also joined the race to produce similar high-speed weaponry. While none of these nations have perfected their missiles, they are all making advancements to their arsenal. Earlier this year General John Hyten, Commander United States Strategic Command, acknowledged that the US needs new defense technologies to address these increasing global threats, along with continued advancement and testing of our own hypersonic missiles. Greater Use of Composite Materials & 3D Printing The use of advanced materials in aircraft is growing as manufacturers strive to improve performance and reduce maintenance requirements and aircraft weight. Composites such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) are increasingly replacing aluminum. Additionally, engine manufacturers are developing ceramic matrix composite (CMC) components, which have a higher heat tolerance than metal alloys, to create more fuel-efficient engines. Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, can produce parts with intricate geometries relatively easily in a variety of materials - including metals, polymers, and composites – and tends to reduce energy use and tooling costs for complex parts. However, Scot Forge still believes composite materials and additive manufacturing are a long way away from competing head-to-head against forged products for aerospace, due to the elimination of porosity, contoured grain flow and fine grain size inherent to the forging process. However, composite materials and 3D printing are currently a real threat to the replacement of castings. As forging companies look to convert critical castings to forgings in the future, we’re sure to meet composite material suppliers and 3D printers on the playing field. GBSD In second half of 2017, the US Air Force awarded contracts to Boeing and Northrop Grumman to continue work on their designs for the replacement of the Minuteman III. The new Minuteman III will be the updated, ground-based leg of the nation’s “nuclear triad” strategic deterrent strategy. The week after the Space Symposium, the US launched a successful test fire of the Minuteman III, known as the LGM-30, from Vandenberg Air Force Base. GPS Satellites Vulnerable to Attack In early March, Air Force officials announced to Congress that GPS satellites are vulnerable to attack from Chinese and Russian lasers and missiles. These GPS satellites not only guide precision guided weapons, but also our day-to-day car navigation. This launched further discussion at the Space Symposium about the creation of the United States Space Corps, a proposed sixth branch of the United States Armed Forces that would absorb the USAF space warfare mission currently conducted by AF Space Command. Space is quickly becoming its own battleground; the conflict is not fully defined yet, or how it’s going to be fought but we see movement among our customers in regards to the creation and refinement of directed energy weapons, space lasers and other high technology arms as part of military space defense. We anticipate more focus on the creation of jam-resistant GPS’s and satellites that can’t be blinded by lasers from the ground in the near future.

Santa is a wee bit lost, click "Read More" to watch the video and see where we found him. Enjoy your holiday! Click Play Below to Enjoy the Show! May your holiday season be wrapped up with cheer and filled with prosperity to forge the New Year! Scroll down to see the full Scot Forge Cast and Crew Thanks for watching! Share your favorite Scot Forge Christmastime moment and follow us on our social networks. Enjoy the Holidays!

Semi-cap must withstand extreme conditions and perform accurately and reasonably, which is where forgings come in. Forgings are a critical component in manufacturing semiconductor capital equipment (semi-cap), which includes the machinery, tools, and equipment used to produce semiconductors. The semi-cap industry relies on forgings for high-quality components that are required to meet strict standards of reliability and durability. Semiconductors are used in various electronic devices, from smartphones and laptops to medical equipment and military systems. The production of semiconductors involves complex processes that require precise control of temperature, pressure, and other variables. Therefore, the semi-cap equipment used in this process must withstand extreme conditions and perform accurately and reasonably, which is where forgings come in. Why Forgings for Semi-Cap Equipment? For many semi-cap components, forgings provide superior strength, fatigue resistance and reliability. They are made by heating a metal billet to a specific temperature and pressing or hammering it into the desired shape. This process creates a denser, stronger and more uniform component than other manufacturing methods, such as casting or welding. One of the main advantages of forgings is their strength because the forging process creates a more uniform grain structure in the metal. This leads to a component that is less likely to crack or fail under high stress or pressure. Another advantage of forgings is their fatigue resistance. When a metal component is subject to repeated stress, it can eventually fail due to fatigue. Forged components are less susceptible to fatigue failure because the forging process compresses the metal, making it more resistant to cracks and other forms of damage. What Semi-Cap Components Use Forgings? In addition to their strength and fatigue resistance, forgings are highly customizable. The forging process can create components in a wide range of shapes and sizes with varying degrees of complexity, making forgings ideal for the semi-cap industry requiring precise dimensions and performance characteristics. Some of the most common semi-cap components made using forgings include chambers, frames, brackets and other parts subject to high stress and harsh operating conditions. These components are critical to the operation of semi-cap equipment and must be able to perform with high accuracy and consistency. Chambers are a key component in semi-cap equipment because they are used to create a controlled environment for the manufacturing of semiconductors. Forged chambers are preferred because they can withstand high temperatures and pressure without deforming or cracking. This is critical because any deformation in the chamber can result in defects in the semiconductor, impacting its performance and reliability. Frames and brackets are also essential components in semi-cap equipment because they provide support for other parts and help maintain the equipment's alignment and stability. In addition, forged frames and brackets are optimal because they can withstand high stress and shock during production processes. In addition to these components, forgings are also used to make various other parts in semi-cap equipment, including flanges, fittings, valves, and fasteners. These components must withstand the high pressure and corrosive environment of the semiconductor production process, making forgings an ideal choice. In summary, forgings play a critical role in the semi-cap industry by providing high-quality components required to meet the strict standards of reliability and durability. The strength, fatigue resistance, and customizability of forgings make them ideal for semi-cap components that must perform under harsh operating conditions. From chambers to frames and brackets, forgings are a crucial component in manufacturing semi-cap equipment. Scot Forge provides semi-cap components in ferrous and non-ferrous materials; call us today to discuss your forging needs!

In a manufacturing setting, employee-owned means aligning the interests of employees with those of the company and its customers as the employees participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) At Scot Forge, we are proud to be an employee-owned company, but what does that mean for our customers? In a manufacturing setting, employee-owned means aligning the interests of employees with those of the company and its customers as the employees participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP). An ESOP is a type of retirement plan that allows employees to purchase or hold stock in the company and plays an important role in customer relationships as employees have a vested interest in their company's and its customers' success. One of the key benefits of an ESOP is that it creates a sense of ownership and investment among employees. When employees have a stake in their company, they are more likely to be invested in its success and take an active role in driving it. This can lead to increased employee motivation and engagement, which can translate into better customer service and higher-quality products. The sense of ownership also fosters continuous improvement both internally and externally as our owners look for ways to create value for our customers.  An ESOP can also help build trust and loyalty between employees and customers. When our customers know that the employees they interact with are invested in the success of their company, they are more likely to trust and value the relationship. This can be especially important in a manufacturing setting, where customer relationships are often built on the quality of products and the level of service provided. Employee retention can also be positively impacted in an ESOP company, and personnel continuity is important for maintaining customer relationships and quality products. Especially in today's job environment, employees who feel invested in their company and are motivated to contribute and share in its success, they are less likely to leave. This can help to ensure continuity of service and consistent quality for customers. Furthermore, an ESOP can also help to improve employee productivity and efficiency, which can lead to cost savings. When employees are invested in their company and motivated to work hard, they are more likely to be productive, efficient and look for ways to add value. This can translate savings for the customer in material, the time it takes to complete downstream processes, and even the ware and depreciation on machines. Moreover, ESOPs foster a culture of employee collaboration and teamwork, which can benefit customer relationships. When employees work toward a common goal and have a sense of shared ownership in their company, they are more likely to work together and communicate effectively. As a result, customers experience better communication leading to improved problem-solving, quicker decision making and the opportunity for innovation, which benefits both companies and their end users. Finally, an ESOP can also be a powerful tool for attracting and retaining top talent. When potential employees see that a company offers an ESOP, they may be more likely to be attracted to the company and view it as a long-term career opportunity with the potential for a healthy retirement. This can attract and retain high-quality employees.

When bridge owners must select a process and supplier to produce a critical metal component, they face an enormous array of possible alternatives. Many metalworking processes are available, each offering a unique set of capabilities, costs and advantages. When bridge owners must select a process and supplier to produce a critical metal component, they face an enormous array of possible alternatives. Many metalworking processes are available, each offering a unique set of capabilities, costs and advantages. The forging process is ideally suited to many part applications. In fact, forging is often the optimum process for both part quality and cost, especially for applications that require maximum part strength, custom sizes or critical performance specifications. So why did so many engineers choose castings over forgings at the peak of bridge construction (c. 1960)?  Unfortunately, most federal bridge safety standards were not created until the late 1960s in response to the Ohio River bridge collapse. The failure was caused by the bridge's corrosion and decay, which weakened it to the point of collapse, killing 46 people. After analysis, it was discovered that a microscopic crack formed in a steel eye bar used in the bridge's construction during the casting process. Over time stress and corrosion fatigue caused the crack to grow until the component failed. Today, it is well known that castings lack the continuous grain flow, refined grain structure and directional strength necessary for critical, load-bearing operations. The lack of properly oriented grain flow and refinement can lead to potential part integrity problems causing failures in the field. In the1960s, hundreds of casting foundries in the U.S. could supply the complex or large metal components required for bridgework. In addition, castings were cheap and plentiful compared to steel forgings at that time. As demand for steel castings outpaced supply, however, companies began to look outside of the U.S. and Canada for solutions, which ultimately impacted the supply chain in two ways:  1) It gave birth to an offshore option for steel castings which reached its height and inflicted significant damage on the domestic industry in the following decades. 2) OEMs were not content back then to wait for the offshore option to develop fully, so casting users moved aggressively to invest in a substitute process – steel fabrication. In fact, the presence of fab shops within virtually every manufacturing plant – which we take for granted today – did not exist before the late 1970s and is the direct result of those mentioned above.  The North American steel foundry industry is a shadow of its former self. In 2015, fewer than 200 steel casting plants remained, down from a 1970s high of more than five times that many. Today's more demanding material users are increasingly obliged by everyday economic and competitive realities to seek a better supply-chain solution and stronger, sounder and technically superior product. However, when deciding on bridge construction and repair, the question still is … "casting, fabrication or forging?" BEARING HOUSINGS  Manufacturing components with a welded plate or welded ends produce quality issues from inconsistencies in using different metalworking processes. Inclusions are common, and welded parts often require extensive weld repair and re-inspection. By making the component a single forged piece with integral flanges, quality is improved throughout the part, eliminating instances of inclusion and removing the welding time altogether. The strength and structural integrity of the forged material meets demanding application requirements, resulting in less rework, fewer rejections and increased part life. Additionally, eliminating welding shortens part production process time, and the component is better able to withstand the rigors of field use. PINIONS, FLOATING SHAFTS, TRUNNIONS  Machining a solid bar to form a pinion, floating shaft, or trunnion causes wasteful use of material, labor and time. Inclusions are common on the machined surface, which may cause product rejections and result in excessive time and costs spent repairing the part. Additionally, grain flow within the bar is exposed when machined, thus making the material more susceptible to fatigue failure due to exposed grain ends. On the other hand, custom forging requires less starting material than a straight round bar machined to shape. Material cleanliness is optimized by controlling melt practices and teaming processes, eliminating material rejections due to inclusions. Less machining saves money, time and tool life while producing a closer-to-finish shape. Lastly, a forged stepdown contoured grain flow yields greater impact and directional strength. ANCHORAGE BARS AND LINKS/GUDGEON ASSEMBLIES  This product is often made from a cast head welded to a hot rolled bar. Due to the lack of uniform grain structure within castings, this product often proves too weak for the intended application, resulting in shortened product life. Cracking is typical in the weld layer, causing failures in the field. Additionally, welding the two pieces together is time-consuming. The excessive heating required during the welding process changes the hardness and tensile properties in the weld zone, making it necessary to re-heat treat the part. Fortunately, this product can be manufactured as a single-piece forging instead, improving properties and eliminating non-value-added steps. The elimination of welding provides dimensional stability, reduces the amount of inspection and simplifies inventory management. Most importantly, the strength and structural integrity of the forged material meets demanding application requirements, resulting in less rework, fewer rejections and increased part life. CONSIDERATIONS  If you are looking for a new approach to repairing infrastructure, there are many factors to consider when converting a historic design. Often, securing engineering's approval is the key to making enhancements. When reviewing your component, it is helpful to take a step back and ask, "What is the purpose of my design?" The best results occur if you're willing to think creatively and challenge traditional methods.  If you are considering forgings, you should partner with a supplier willing to work with your engineers to educate them about conversions, forgings and the newly expanded range of product types (complex parts) that can be produced as a forging. Rather than dismissing the idea as impractical or impossible, consider the technical and/or economic merits of any particular conversion project.

Finding this clean-firm energy spans many industries, from mining and extraction to infrastructure and actual power generation. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) remarked that “meeting our climate goals requires a well-coordinated approach across the U.S. economy — one that taps into American ingenuity and harnesses our most abundant resources, including the wind that blows off our coasts...” As a result of global warming and climate change escalation, more than 50 nations have promised to achieve “net-zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. These net-zero initiatives mean producing radically lower levels of greenhouse gases while removing the pollutants we make from the atmosphere. As a result, clean energy sources like solar and wind are growing rapidly, and historic energy sources like coal-burning power plants are on their way out.  To combat extreme weather and climate change in America, Congress passed President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, targeting reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding access to clean drinking water, building a clean power grid and more. The U.S. government is hoping that these historic investments will help reduce emissions by well over one gigaton this decade, aiming to reduce U.S. emissions 50-52% of the 2005 levels by 2030, creating a 100% carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and achieving a net-zero economy by 2050. Already moving in this direction, the U.S. has implemented green energy generation from renewable sources, including hydropower and geothermal power, that surpassed coal in 2020 and is now second only to gas.  Clean energy does pose a challenge as it is an irregular energy source. While wind towers and solar panels create cost-effective power, often cheaper than coal or even gas, there will be a need for massive investments in the power grid. To sustain the ebb and flow of demand, excess generating capacity and storage, will be required to provide reliable electricity and ultimately drive out greenhouse emissions. So, suppose wind and solar are pushed to do the heavy lifting themselves. In that case, this strategy ends up being much more expensive and demanding land and infrastructure than other possible pathways. A recent study sponsored by the Environmental Defense Fund and the Clean Air Task Force concluded that to meet its net-zero pledge by 2045, the state of California will need power that is not only “clean” but “firm.” Incorporating “electricity sources that don’t depend on the weather” and do not have limitations in how long they can produce power, as batteries do. The same is true worldwide, and nuclear offers a relatively stable energy source.  Nuclear power can play an essential role in a low-carbon world by providing “clean firm power,” despite longstanding concerns over its safety. The Wall Street Journal reported that worldwide, 450 reactors generate 10% of the total electricity consumed today, down from more than 15% in 2005, thanks to a rapid global build-out of power capacity that has largely left nuclear behind. Nuclear power in the West will collapse like coal generation unless aging reactors are replaced with new plants. The next generation of nuclear reactors, such as small modular reactors (SMRs), could give the world a vital tool for reducing carbon emissions. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, advanced SMRs offer many advantages, such as relatively small physical footprints, reduced capital investment, the ability to be sited in locations not possible for larger nuclear plants and provisions for incremental power add-ons. In addition, through the intentional engineering for safety, many precautions needed for large reactors are not required for small reactors as they offer more significant safeguards and security advantages.  Finding this clean-firm energy spans many industries, from mining and extraction to infrastructure and actual power generation. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) remarked that “meeting our climate goals requires a well-coordinated approach across the U.S. economy — one that taps into American ingenuity and harnesses our most abundant resources, including the wind that blows off our coasts...” At Scot Forge, we believe the state of the environment is the ultimate, global employee-ownership program. Our responsibility is to leave it better than we found it, preserving our world for future generations.  Whether your team needs reliable parts to sustain net-zero or is working on R&D for things like carbon extraction, SMR design and mass energy storage , Scot Forge employee-owners can help. We strive to be an extension of your team, bringing more than 125 years of metal shaping knowledge to your project.

Reshoring provides your company with superior quality and consistency of your product, along with more control over the manufacturing process as well as better distribution and delivery options. This year proved that no industry is safe from the aftermath of COVID, which has shown no mercy as all companies are linked together in the supply chain's universal truth. The further away your product is from its final destination, the more of a pain you are probably feeling, and as a result, mitigating this pain and avoiding it in the future are probably top of mind.  Reshoring, the manufacturing of components, seems to be the answer, or at least the flavor of the month, for alleviating unknowns, delays and costs stemming from expediting or finding new methods to get your products where they need to be. So, let's take a look at what this answer provides. Reshoring for Manufacturing Assurance of a domestic source of supply Guarantee your parts aren't stuck on a ship Receive an immediate response from a supplier to get products delivered Reduce shipping delays, costs and dilemmas Cut tariffs and unknown future tariffs diminishing profits Reshoring does generally come with higher prices for various reasons, which is why it is essential to find a partner who can help you reduce the total cost of your production and maximize the value you're getting for the price. Although brokers try to reduce the price by outsourcing suppliers and modifying processes, the outcome can impact your end-user when they receive an inferior product or costly delays. Additionally, you lose control of your IP and design the further away your manufacturing gets from you. Therefore, the money you may save today may cost you in the long run. However, when you find a partner that reduces total cost through providing value, you maintain everything that makes your product unique with quality and delivery you can rely on.   Reshoring for Quality & Delivery Reshoring provides your company with superior quality and consistency of your product, along with more control over the manufacturing process as well as better distribution and delivery options. As a byproduct, reshoring helps the US economy. It removes language and time barriers while allowing you to efficiently perform on-site visits and resolve any problems that may arise quickly. Reshoring for Control To ensure efficient manufacturing of your components, you will want to provide prints or models to your supplier, which is why trust is critical. Reshoring your components is an excellent option to keep you in control to ensure you receive the materials and components that meet your requirements. At Scot Forge, we look at: Drawings:  Has the drawing specified all witness requirements? Does the drawing include testing specifications? Are there flow-down requirements? Material Specification:   Is it the most effective to meet your requirements? Is the material you are specifying commonly available in the US?  Forging:  Can it be forged? Can our expertise in working with specialty alloys and complex shapes save you time and money in downstream processes? Process:  What other secondary operations are required? Quality:  To meet the quality standards of your product, does it need to be re-engineered, redesigned and retooled? Reshoring for IP Protection As you can see, manufacturing a forging requires a partnership with a company that not only has knowledge and expertise but is one you can trust. Although an overseas supplier may fill out an NDA like a US supplier, do you know how that country will enforce it or protect you? And, by the time you find out about an NDA breach, it could potentially be too late, and your IP already compromised. Furthermore, your company could discover that the overseas supplier has found creative ways to cut corners through subpar material or processes. Unfortunately, by the time something like this is discovered, you have little recourse.  Reshoring with Scot Forge When starting a new project, Scot Forge can provide design evaluation, collaborating to ensure the most effective manufacturing processes are chosen to help you meet all requirements and provide a competitive advantage in the marketplace. You can also use our team as an extension of your own with our in-house metallurgy expertise . You have the opportunity to take advantage of Scot Forge's engineers and get a thorough review of your entire process from forging to finish machining - supporting your project in its entirety, not just the component alone. Contact us today for a free consultation.

More than 40 years later, Scot Forge continues to be a proud, 100% employee-owned company. On the surface, our ESOP is a retirement plan, but within our day-to-day operations, it serves a greater purpose. In 1978, former owner Pete I. Georgeson sold Scot Forge to his employees, giving way to the Scot Forge Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). More than 40 years later, Scot Forge continues to be a proud, 100% employee-owned company. On the surface, our ESOP is a retirement plan, but within our day-to-day operations, it serves a greater purpose. We asked four employee-owners to expand on what they believe it means to be a part of an ESOP company. Here is what they had to say! Mark Dowell : Blacksmith, has been an employee-owner for 14 years. Richard Hobday : Spring Grove Plant Manager, has been an employee-owner for 5 years. Sarah Marski : Inside Sales Manager, has been an employee-owner for 17 years. Michelle Riedel : Manager Executive Office Operations, has been an employee-owner for 20 years. What does being an employee-owner mean to you? Mark : "It means that I personally have a say within the company we own together. It also means that I have an obligation to bring to work the best version of myself and expect the same from others. Being an employee-owner gives me confidence that I have support in my daily tasks and decisions." Richard : "Being an employee-owner cultivates a sense of pride in what you do and creates a feeling that you can come in and be a part of something bigger than yourself. We have an interconnected fate with our employee-owners, our customers and our suppliers. Personally, I've fallen in love with our model and what we stand for as a company. As an employee-owner, we are constantly learning from yesterday's performance through building a learning organization." Sarah : "It means more than having a 'regular job' because you have ownership, responsibility and accountability. Being an employee-owner gives me a sense of pride knowing what I work on is mine and that it is helping the company progress." Michelle : "It means I have a team of hardworking people, with similar values, around me every day. When you own a business with 500+ other people, it's important that you are aligned and work together to be successful. After all, it's up to us to create value for our retirement and preserve the company for future generations. Being an employee-owner is special – being a part of this great company and serving my fellow owners is such a privilege."  What does employee ownership do for your future? Mark : "Employee ownership at Scot Forge has historically set up employees for a successful future, financially. I am a firm believer that as long as, we as owners, remember the core values that were built and developed by the Scot Forge owners amongst and before us, and we continuously grow as one, the sky's the limit for what our future can hold." Richard : "We are here to develop ourselves, to pass on what we've learned to others and to create a legacy and to give back. Being an employee-owner has helped me prioritize helping others win at work and in life, which to me is the most enriching gift you can give." Sarah : "When I think of future responsibilities, it makes me want to work harder to make the company better. There is also an aspect of security that comes with employee-ownership because I am not worried about my financial future." Michelle : "This question is two-fold for me. Obviously, the financial piece is important to have a secure retirement. But, it's the other things I've learned along the way as an employee-owner that I feel will also serve me well in the future. Teamwork, personal accountability, the value of safety, continuous learning and serving others are all characteristics that will help me in the next chapters of my life. So many of these qualities are on display by others around me every day."  How does employee ownership affect your day-to-day? Mark :  As owners, we depend on one another to strive for excellence. When we genuinely focus on our day-to-day operations to win the day, we continuously improve for tomorrow. No matter the obstacle, if we approach our challenges together head-on, we will rise above what's expected for our customers, our company and our future." Richard : "Our culture is not a natural act, [in that it doesn't happen by accident], and we are constantly reminding ourselves of our responsibilities and not just our rights. In terms of our leadership, it's about ensuring we are working for our customers every day. Keeping [our customers] in the path of our work. We all have a lot of responsibilities, and actually owning a piece of the company keeps you accountable - knowing your work makes a difference." Sarah : "Everybody wears a lot of hats around here, and you do what needs to be done when you see something that needs to be accomplished. Day-to-day you're busy, but it pays off." Michelle : "Whether I am making a purchase on behalf of the company, serving a member of our community or taking a class to improve or learn a new skill, I do it with integrity, knowing that I am accountable to and represent 500+ other owners. Our employee-owned company has a mission statement that I strive to live up to every day. Keeping the values in front of me reminds me who I'm here to serve and what the expectations of being an employee-owner are."  How would you explain an ESOP to a future owner? Mark : "[An] ESOP is a great personal opportunity and time investment. It's a plan by which a company's capital stock is bought by its employees. Scot Forge is 100% employee-owned. Thanks to previous employee-owners, I and others have been set up with a solid base and structure for success heading into the future. In my opinion, people in the market for a career opportunity should highly consider ESOP companies. The benefits from non-ESOP companies cannot compare." Richard : "Our ESOP is a retirement plan, not a retirement job. If we do the right thing for each other and our customers, we earn the right for our company to become more and more valuable over time. Our ESOP plan requires teamwork and collaboration amongst our employee-owners to win. It's a delicate system that, if nurtured and cared for, will be passed on for many generations to come." Sarah : "An ESOP is an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than yourself. It's an opportunity to work towards something to help both you and your fellow employee-owners. So if you want more than a job and are looking for a career and a second family, employee-ownership and our culture at Scot Forge is the way to go." Michelle : "An ESOP is a plan that provides employee-owners shares of the company's stock that is built-up over the lifetime of their career at the company.  Every employee-owner creates the value of that stock by the way we: stay safe, continuously improve processes, look for cost savings and [focus on the] quality of our work to name a few. The more value we create together, the greater our stock price and, therefore, a larger account balance for retirement.  It takes all of us to create the value of our company though, not just one person, department or plant can do that – we must all do it together as employee-owners."

Looking at how traditional casting designs could take advantage of today's technological advancements in forgings. In some industries, castings have historically been “known” as the way to design and produce a part. At the time, purchasing a casting made sense due to the geometry or configuration of the part. However, today there are many reasons to look at converting castings to forgings. To start, you first need to understand the difference between these two metalworking processes. In the simplest terms,  • Casting is the process of heating metal until molten. While it’s in the molten (liquid) state, it is poured into a mold or vessel to create the desired shape. • Forging requires heating the metal to its point of plasticity, then hammering, pressing, or rolling to shape the part. When forging a part, better uniformity of composition and structure is achieved. During the forging process, recrystallization and grain-refinement occur, resulting in increased strength. The most common complaint about castings is porosity – voids in the finished component during solidification. Based on the location of porosity, the component may need to be welded or scrapped. Most castings failures are due to porosity, lower tensile or fatigue strength, and defects. You may not know whether or not a casting can maintain its integrity until it fails because castings do not have consistent grain structures. Properties in cast metals are inconsistent due to how the metal settles in the mold and the rate at which each casting cools. Forging, on the other hand, is more dependable by nature because the forging process strengthens metal while forming it by directing grain flow. The forging process eliminates porosity through the compression of the material, achieving a 3:1 minimum reduction. Forging also lessens the need for expensive alloys to achieve desired metallurgical properties. Today, there are more options to achieve a unique-shaped part. Forging technology has made significant strides in the past decade and now can offer complex shapes, which traditionally were thought to be casting-only pieces. This type of near-net-shape forging allows you to explore options beyond castings. The casting to forging conversion process can be very straightforward if you have design authority and are open to design change. Considering all the costs in a product’s development through the lifecycle, the long-term benefits of forgings outweigh the short-term cost-savings that castings might seem to offer. So, where is the best place to begin when looking to convert a casting to a forging? First, you must understand that not all parts can or should be made as forgings; castings work well for a variety of applications. It’s best, to begin with evaluating the piece in question.  •  What is the application and environment of the component? •  Will voids in the part affect product performance? •  Do you frequently have to scrap parts due to porosity issues? •  Do welding and repairs cause a frequent pain point? •  Does the part in question play a crucial role in overall performance? •  Does your team have design authority? •  Is the part mission critical? •  Does reducing risk by removing vendors from your supply chain make sense?   Don’t get stuck with a traditional design that doesn’t take advantage of today’s technological advancements. The best results occur if you’re willing to think creatively and challenge traditional methods. By working with a metal forming expert you can evaluate your casting to see if a forging makes sense, the employee-owners at Scot Forge have this expertise to help you find the best solution. Feel free to email us today.

Scot Forge was able to forge a complex shape of a tension ring in two halves for a major oil rig project. Learn more how Scot Forge assisted this customer. At Scot Forge, our goal is to exceed customer expectations with every conversation we have, order we process and product we forge. We aim to build long lasting relationships with all of our customers to show each of them they are valued and placed in the capable hands of our dedicated employee owners. An oil rig requires the use of a tension ring as the point of connection between the tension system and the riser string. The tension ring holds the riser string stable during the drilling and pumping process. These parts are typically made as castings or weldments; however, one of our customers needed an alternative due to lead time and quality issues. Scot Forge collaborated with our customer to provide an innovative forging solution. Using one of the largest commercially available ingots, Scot Forge was able to forge the complex shape of the tension ring in two halves. The initial forgings were made at our NAF plant and then transferred to our Spring Grove facility for heat treating, testing and machining. As with most projects where we are creating something that has never been done before, there were obstacles. However, we were able to learn as we worked through the issues and ultimately delivered a quality forging within the time frame needed. Shortly after the piece was finished, the oil and gas industry diminished, but our customer's eyes were opened to Scot Forge's capabilities in forging complex pieces. Collaboration between our customer and the Scot Forge process, engineering, engineering sales, production and forge development teams, played a crucial role in this project. By everyone working together toward a shared goal, we were able to create a solution to a common pain point.

Overall, the use of forgings in both nuclear fusion and fission reactors is critical for ensuring these devices' safe and efficient operation. Forgings play a crucial role in both nuclear fusion and fission. In nuclear fusion, forgings are used to construct the components of fusion reactors, which are designed to harness the energy released by the fusion of light elements. The walls and components of a fusion reactor must withstand the high temperatures and pressures generated by the fusion process and the corrosive environment created by the intense radiation and high-energy particles produced by the reaction. Forgings made of high-strength, corrosion-resistant materials, such as superalloys and refractory metals, are commonly used to build these components, as they can withstand the harsh conditions inside the reactor.  Forgings also play a key role in the design and construction of the magnetic confinement systems that are used to contain the plasma and prevent it from coming into contact with the reactor walls. These magnetic confinement systems are designed to generate powerful magnetic fields that can confine the plasma, keeping it stable and controlled. Forgings made of high-strength, magnetically-conductive materials, such as copper and niobium-titanium, are used to construct the coils that generate these magnetic fields. In addition, using forgings in these systems helps ensure that the components are durable, efficient, and able to withstand the intense conditions inside the reactor.  In nuclear fission, forgings are used to construct the components of fission reactors, which are designed to generate electricity by harnessing the energy released by the fission of heavy elements, such as uranium and plutonium. The components of a fission reactor must withstand the high temperatures and radiation produced by the fission process and the corrosive environment created by the intense heat and radiation. Forgings made of high-strength, corrosion-resistant materials, such as stainless steel and refractory metals, are commonly used to build these components, as they can withstand the harsh conditions inside the reactor.  Forgings also play a crucial role in the design and construction of the control rods that are used to regulate the rate of fission in a reactor. These control rods, made of neutron-absorbing materials such as boron and cadmium, are inserted into the reactor core to absorb excess neutrons and control the rate of fission. Forgings are used to make the control rod assemblies, which must be strong enough to withstand the intense conditions inside the reactor, as well as precise and precise enough to accurately control the rate of fission. In addition, the use of forgings in these assemblies helps to ensure that the control rods are durable, efficient, and able to perform their critical safety function.  Overall, the use of forgings in both nuclear fusion and fission reactors is critical for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of these devices. The high-strength, corrosion-resistant, and magnetically-conductive properties of forgings make them ideal for use in these reactors' harsh environments and help ensure that the components and systems can perform their intended functions effectively. So, whether you are designing the latest small modular reactor or looking to pursue R&D experiments, call us to discuss how forgings can support your most critical applications.