In June, 2000, LMC received approval for the Phase II Grant in the amount of US$ 750,000 to be applied to the manufacture of the LMC Forming Press System (SIP400B) needed to produce Copper Accelerator Cells for the Next Generation Electron Positron Linear Collider (NLC). The Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC), in collaboration with other laboratories in the United States, Germany, Japan and Switzerland, are currently working on conceptual design and costing for the NLC at their Stanford University facility in Pala Alto, California. Using the Adiabatic Forming Press, the technology will allow for the manufacture of the near-net shape accelerator cells eliminating all the machining, milling and turning operations previously utilized. The part will require only the final diamond machining to achieve desired results.

In March 2000, LMC had successfully completed Phase I Grant of this project. Prototype parts based upon an actual scaled cell were produced on existing forming presses at LMC facilities. Parts met all near net shape specifications and tolerances. Metallography and chemistry analysis were performed with the results showing that crystal structure was the same in the material before and after forming, and that no oxidation or any other contaminants were evident in the material during and after the forming process regardless of the environment. Al Burgin, Engineering Manager, spearheaded this effort with the close cooperation and support of the SLAC and Stanford University physicists.

Lennart Lindell, CEO of LMC, stated "I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with the professional staff at Stanford and being involved with the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. Our new advances in adiabatics will save considerable costs in the project. Engineers are finally capable of designing unique parts that can be manufactured to net or near net shape quality at reasonable costs."

Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House, US House of Representatives, has personally expressed his appreciation to Lennart Lindell, Chairman and Gordon Goranson, President in recognition of the grant and for this technological advancement. SEE PHOTO

In the year 2000/2001, LMC will now engineer and manufacture the Adiabatic Forming Press (SIP400B) designed to complete on a production basis the full size Accelerator Cells. It has been estimated that up to 2 years of manufacturing time will be saved utilizing the LMC SIP400B press system over conventional methods. The cost saving to the project is estimated in the tens of millions of dollars.

LMC has successfully advanced the adiabatic process from the cut off of precision blanks to stamping, near net shape forming and powder compaction. Development agreements cover research with several multinational corporations to bring their production of components into the adiabatic age. Forming adiabatically allows for engineers to design thinner gage components using higher tensile materials. In the automotive industry it means that cars can be manufactured with less weight, greater strength, and therefore less energy consumption. Powder compaction allows for the same benefit. LMC has been successful in the compaction of metals up to 99.8% without sintering, an accomplishment not achieved elsewhere in the world. Patents are pending on all of the new developments within LMC.

LMC, the foremost authority on Adiabatic Technology for metalworking manufacturing, is recognized worldwide for its precision cut-off of blanks from bar stock, coil and tubing. Work continues by LMC in the engineering and design of press systems to enhance the future development of adiabatic technology. These new applications for manufacturing have been developed with patents pending on both the new processes and tooling. This efficient adiabatic technology in the metalworking industry will increase part productivity, quality, and be very cost effective.

LMC designs, engineers and manufactures a complete line of Adiabatic Press Systems which meets all the conditions for Adiabatic Softening in most metals to include low and high carbon steels, stainless, brass, copper, titanium, aluminum and more. Regardless of the metal, the process works the same.

The LMC Adiabatic Press Systems dramatically increase quality consistency, increase productivity and cycle times, allow for the reduction of floor space and allow for reduced maintenance. The Presses are designed to maximize energy levels, production rates and flexibility. This technology will eliminate the drawbacks of the conventional methods in the production of metal blanks. LMC also provides roll straighteners, coil handling, chamfering units and pointers.

LMC has recently introduced their new SIP25D Adiabatic Press and their new Oscillating Rotary Arbor Straightener that provides 1/4" (6.4mm) diameter cut offs at cycle rates exceeding 800 ppm. Cut-off or fracture times are less than a millisecond. This new press system that can cut precision blanks from rounds, shapes or tubing stock supplied from coil or bar. A turnkey press system can include their Rotary Arbor Straightener, Power Infeed and Payoff Uncoiler. The new Straightener provides straighteness of .005" TIR per foot and the entire system will provide length variations of less than +/- .001" which will be maintained regardless of overall length of the part. Specific mass volumes are maintained. Manufacturers have been able to eliminate post-production inspection. CPK results can be expected to significantly improve. The process also allows for the elimination of secondary machining such as end grinding and deburring.

LMC standard presses cut diameters from .060" to 1.00" (1.5mm to 26mm) and stock up to 4" (100mm) has been cut on specially designed presses. There is theoretically no limit to the size of metal bar or tubing that can be cut. Cycle times of 3600 parts per minute can be achieved on LMC's SIP15 Adiabatic Press designed to cut diameter stock up to 1/8" (3.2mm).

The APM Process Center, a division of LMC, with their facility in the Midwest provides a Cut Off Service where LMC will use their production facilities and provide manufacturers with blanks of any shape from standard bar stock, coil, extrusions, tubing, etc. to their specifications.

The Company has been providing the LMC Adiabatic Technology to manufacturers throughout the world since 1980 from its manufacturing facilities in DeKalb, IL and Cortland, IL, both approximately 80 miles west of Chicago.