Electron Beam Welding, EB welding and metal joining by Andrews Hi-Tec

Our Company

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OUR COMPANY

HISTORY OF ANDREWS HI-TEC CORP

Located in Southern California, Andrews Hi-Tec Corporation was established in 1984 as a metal components processor specializing in electron beam welding. Our capabilities include manufacturing, assembly, testing and inspection. We are worldwide recognized for our superior electron beam welding capabilities and high standards of quality.

We have been engaged in electron beam welding technologies for over 20 years now and our president Julian Andrews has been in the electron beam industry for well over 30 years.

FACILITIES

Our modern facility houses the entire staff of Andrews Hi-Tec with a wide variety of expertise such as design engineers, metallurgists, machinists and computer experts.

Our fully air conditioned, temperature controlled facility includes the welding machine areas, machining facilities, inspection area, chemical laboratories and an extensive inventory of fixtures and materials to provide the timely, efficient service you need.

EMPLOYEES

Our employees take pride in contributing their enthusiasm, integrity and skills in maintaining Andrews Hi-Tec Corporation as a worldwide recognized electron beam welding source to the aerospace, medical, defense, and commercial industries.

Electron Beam Process

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ELECTRON BEAM WELD PROCESS

Electrons are generated by heating the filament located in the electron beam gun (grid). Because of the special design of this gun, the electrons are shaped to form the electron beam. The beam then travels through the following:

-> Anode
-> Column Valve
-> Magnetic Lens
-> Deflection Coil

...and then enters the chamber work area to the part.

The stream of high voltage electrons is accelerated to a velocity of approximately 2/3 (two thirds) the speed of light or about 117,000 miles per second.

This concentrated stream of high velocity electrons generates kinetic energy upon impact with the metal part, creating thermal energy (heat) resulting in fusion or melting of the two pieces to be joined.

The machine operator views the welding operation directly through optics or remotely through a CCTV attachment.

The basic operation of welding a part is as follows:

Load part or parts in a fixture which is mounted to the base table in the work area of the vacuum chamber.

1- Pump the chamber down to a vacuum level of approximately 10 -4 mm Hg.
2- Initiate stream of electrons on target to set the meters, then re-initiate the beam on a part & weld.
3- Vent the chamber to atmospheric pressure and remove the welded part.

This unique and impressive process does the 'impossible' by welding a complete range of thicknesses from foils to thick plate and welds nearly all metal alloys, including the refractory materials like columbium or tantalum without concern of oxidizing the melted metal.
The advantages of this process are numerous. Please refer to our 'ADVANTAGES' web page.

EB Weld Advantages

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ELECTRON BEAM ADVANTAGES

SOLVE YOUR PRODUCTION PROBLEMS WITH E.B. TECHNOLOGY

HIGH EFFICIENCY. Electron beam welding produces about half as much waste heat as tungsten arc welding, to minimize distortion and metallurgical problems.

PINPOINT CONTROL. Width of weld can be focused almost to a hairline, or broadened as desired.

CLEANER WELDS. Welds are performed in vacuum (a high purity environment). This produces welds as clean or cleaner than original material. Oxides, nitrides and carbides are flushed out by heat and vacuum.

STRONGER WELDS. Physical and mechanical properties of electron beam welded samples are typically better than welds made with other processes.

HIGH REACTIVE & REFRACTORY MATERIALS can be welded successfully.

THIN-GAUGE WELDING. Edge and butt-welds can be made in metals as thin as 0.001 inch.

DISSIMILAR METALS CAN BE WELDED.

EXTREMELY SMALL, THIN PARTS can be welded to heavy sections.

HIGH SPEED. Higher welding speeds compared to other welding processes.

LOW DISTORTION. Low Distortion and heat damage. Low heat generation at very specific areas resulting in a narrow zone of heat flow.

COMPUTER CONTROLLED. Computer controlled equipment gives ability to weld complex geometries and a controlled repeatability.

ULTRA PRECISION. Allowing narrow access capability for the most demanding job.

DEEP WELD DEPTH. Deep penetration with a narrow fusion zone. Accurately controllable depth-to-width ratio.

Any company that has a metal joining problem should contact our manufacturing engineer for more information. Advice and literature are available.

HOME

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QUALITY. DEPENDABILITY. SERVICE.

Andrews Hi-Tec Corporation was established in 1984 as a metal components processor specializing in electron beam welding. Our capabilities include manufacturing, assembly, testing and inspection. We have the in-house ability to design and build tooling and fixtures which results in the most efficient ways of improving your product, quality and timely completion.

Our employees take pride in contributing their enthusiasm, integrity and skills in maintaining Andrews Hi-Tec Corporation as a worldwide recognized electron beam welding source to the aerospace, medical, defense, and commercial industries.

To the left is a cross section of an electron beam weld bead. As you can see from the cross section, there is a very small heat affected zone. The weld itself is in the darkened area in center, with the heat affected zone a lighter shade of grey surrounding the actual weld. Electron Beam Welding not only protects and preserves the part being welded, you will have much lower part distortion compared to other welding methods, plus you'll have a stronger weld similar to that of the parent metal.

AHTC COMPANY

2009-03-04T15:19:00.000-08:00

HISTORY OF ANDREWS HI-TEC CORP

We have been engaged in electron beam welding technologies for over 20 years now and our president Julian Andrews has been in the electron beam industry for well over 30 years.

FACILITIES

Our modern facility houses the entire staff of Andrews Hi-Tec with a wide variety of expertise such as design engineers, metallurgists, machinists and computer experts.

EMPLOYEES

CUSTOMER SERVICES

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CAPABILITIES

We have the in-house ability to design and build tooling and fixtures which results in the most efficient ways of improving your product, quality and timely completion.

EXPERTISE

Technical support is available and recommended to optimize the electron beam application. Our experience with electron beam welding for over 20 years and our reputation for service and quality workmanship have put us in the forefront of electron beam welding.

Andrews Hi-Tec Corp. has increased our reputation for electron beam expertise in the aerospace industry during the early days of the space shuttle missions to the recent successful mars rover efforts.

EQUIPMENT

The vast range of equipment at Andrews Hi-Tec includes electron beam welding machines, plasma welders, helium leak checking systems, resistance welders, arc welders, brazing torches, air ovens, 120 ton press, lathes, mills, along with our other extensive support facilities, like our complete metallographic facilities, all working to improve your turn around time.

HISTORY OF E.B. WELDING

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Electron beam welding was developed by German physicist Karl-Heinz Steigerwald of Stuttgart, West Germany before 1958. Steigerwald had been conducting experiments on their electron microscope to increase power of the scope and found out to their surprise, that the specimen which was being examined would disappear. Later, Steigerwald determined that by regulating the power settings, the specimen would melt and resolidify. Thus the electron beam welder was born.

In 1959 through agreements with the Carl Zeiss Co., United Technologies Corporation (then called United Aircraft) and its division, Hamilton Standard, sold "Zeiss" electron beam welders in the United States. Hamilton Standard then sold E.B. machines with a label "Hamilton - Zeiss" and finally produced machines labeled "Hamilton Standard".

In 1976 Hamilton Standard sold its interest in the electron beam welding business to Leybold - Heraeus Vacuum Systems Inc. In 1989 the entire operation was taken over by PTR - Precision Technologies Inc., Enfield, CT. To date, over 800 electron beam welders have been installed around the world through the combined efforts of Zeiss Co./ Hamilton Standard/ Leybold-Heraeus/ PTR Precision Technologies Inc.

The various electron beam systems available are: high vacuum, partial vacuum, and non-vacuum and are used accordingly depending upon the application.

Today, electron beam welding is used in many diversified industries throughout the world such as: nuclear, aerospace, aircraft, automotive, instrumentation, medical, electronics, commercial and job shops.

ELECTRON BEAM WELD PROCESS

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-> Anode
-> Column Valve
-> Magnetic Lens
-> Deflection Coil

...and then enters the chamber work area to the part.

The stream of high voltage electrons is accelerated to a velocity of approximately 2/3 (two thirds) the speed of light or about 117,000 miles per second.

The machine operator views the welding operation directly through optics or remotely through a CCTV attachment.

The basic operation of welding a part is as follows:

Load part or parts in a fixture which is mounted to the base table in the work area of the vacuum chamber.

ELECTRON BEAM ADVANTAGES

2009-03-04T15:09:00.000-08:00

SOLVE YOUR PRODUCTION PROBLEMS WITH E.B. TECHNOLOGY

HIGH EFFICIENCY. Electron beam welding produces about half as much waste heat as tungsten arc welding, to minimize distortion and metallurgical problems.

PINPOINT CONTROL. Width of weld can be focused almost to a hairline, or broadened as desired.

STRONGER WELDS. Physical and mechanical properties of electron beam welded samples are typically better than welds made with other processes.

HIGH REACTIVE & REFRACTORY MATERIALS can be welded successfully.

THIN-GAUGE WELDING. Edge and butt-welds can be made in metals as thin as 0.001 inch.

DISSIMILAR METALS CAN BE WELDED.

EXTREMELY SMALL, THIN PARTS can be welded to heavy sections.

HIGH SPEED. Higher welding speeds compared to other welding processes.

LOW DISTORTION. Low Distortion and heat damage. Low heat generation at very specific areas resulting in a narrow zone of heat flow.

COMPUTER CONTROLLED. Computer controlled equipment gives ability to weld complex geometries and a controlled repeatability.

ULTRA PRECISION. Allowing narrow access capability for the most demanding job.

DEEP WELD DEPTH. Deep penetration with a narrow fusion zone. Accurately controllable depth-to-width ratio.

Any company that has a metal joining problem should contact our manufacturing engineer for more information. Advice and literature are available.

EB WELD PHOTOS

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MEDICAL

AEROSPACE & AVIATION

DEFENSE

COMMERCIAL

CONTACT

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Electron Beam Welding Services:
Andrews Hi-Tec Corporation
2447 Merced Ave
South El Monte, CA 91733 USA

PHONE +1 (626) 443-1488
FAX.......+1 (626) 443-3023

Request for Quote:
Please Click Here

Email:.... ebweld@ahtc.com
Contact: Julian Andrews

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CAREER

2009-03-04T14:33:00.000-08:00

We do not currently have any job positions available at this time. Please check back again. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Andrews Hi-Tec Corp.

Request For Quote

2009-01-01T19:38:00.000-08:00

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2009-01-01T05:01:00.000-08:00

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Frequently Asked Questions

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How long have you been in business?
For over 25 years now. Collectively, we have over 80 years of combined electron beam welding skills.

What are some of your recent jobs?
We value all jobs and customers, but are especially proud of our work on the Mars rovers.

What if I need quick turn around?
We are a small family business that is very flexible. If you have a special need, please let us know.