Toyota Motor Corporation was honored this month for its ongoing efforts to promote a sustainable society by reducing, reusing and recycling resources, such as tungsten and tungsten carbide materials.

At this year's 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) Awards hosted by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) 3Rs Promotion Council, Toyota and Toyota Tsusho Corporation shared the 2013 Prime Minister's Prize.

Separately, Toyota and Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. shared a Rare Metal Recycling Award from the Japan Environmental Management Association for Industry (JEMAI) presented earlier this month at the Awards for Resources Recirculation Technologies and Systems. The award, announced on October 11, recognized the companies' jointly developed system for recycling the rare metal tungsten.

Toyota was one of the first automakers to respond to the implications of mass production and disposal of vehicles. In 1970, Toyota and Toyota Tsusho Corporation founded Toyota Metal Co., Ltd., the first end-of-life vehicle shredding plant established by an automaker. The Toyota Group (consisting of 17 companies including TMC and Toyota Tsusho Corporation) has remained committed to the responsible disposal of end-of-life vehicles, and has developed a wide variety of world-first recycling technologies and systems to recover tungsten materials.

Toyota is also working to recycle rare metals that are used in non-hybrid vehicles. In 2010, Toyota teamed up with Sumitomo Electric Industries to establish a business focused on recycling tungsten, which is most commonly used to produce highly resilient carbide tools. The system combines processes for sorting and collecting scrap from cemented carbide products with new, world-first recycling technology to enable 100 percent recovery and recycling of tungsten in cemented carbide scrap. To date, the venture has recycled 75 tons of tungsten.


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BlueFire Equipment Corporation announced today its team of scientists and engineers are working to finalize production of custom designed proprietary polycrystalline diamond cutter tungsten carbide (PDC) drill bits for its international clients.

“BlueFire’s team is customizing its highly engineered drilling equipment for very deep, high pressure environments and dense, hard rock formations.”

Using advanced manufacturing techniques, BlueFire is optimizing and adapting its leading edge drill bit technology for international applications.

Chairman and CEO of BlueFire Equipment Corporation William A. Blackwell said, “BlueFire’s team is customizing its highly engineered drilling equipment for very deep, high pressure environments and dense, hard rock formations.” He added, “We are casting these tungsten carbide PDC bits using our company’s advanced manufacturing techniques and made-to-order design specifications. The result is an improved product with the same cost and time saving attributes as our previous designs.”

Over the course of a drilling program, BlueFire’s technology has demonstrated the potential to save operators millions of dollars. As previously announced, the BlueFire PDC bit drilled in excess of 200 feet per hour in the Powder River Basin, demonstrating excellent performance. BlueFire’s proprietary bit drilled more than 6,000 feet at the Campbell County, Wyoming location.

BlueFire’s exclusive design has the ability to provide higher rates of penetration (ROP) and longer bit runs in hard rock formations and shales, representing a breakthrough in drilling technology. BlueFire bits employ large cutter face volumes for rapid drilling of shales, sandstones, limestones and sticky clays. These tungsten carbide drill bits utilize premium PDC cutters for improved ROP and are designed using directed ports to accelerate cleaning and optimize cooling. Company findings indicate a decrease of more than 30 percent in temperature on the cutting surfaces, drastically reducing cutter wear and extending the life of the bit.

Conventional tungsten carbide drill bits use nozzles that eject drilling fluid into the well bottom resulting in a general application and uneven distribution at the point of contact. BlueFire’s bit design employs strategically aligned nozzles to concentrate high-pressure jet streams directly on the cutting edge, lubricating the interface between the cutters and the rock formation being drilled. Furthermore, improved cleaning and scouring action facilitates removal of cuttings. The result is a bit that runs cleaner and cooler.


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German sawing machine manufacturer, KASTO, has introduced a new, automatic circular saw called KASTOgripspeed C10. It can be fitted with equipment for continuous stock infeed and with various outfeed options, including sorting of cut pieces.

The high performance machine is designed to process materials up to a tensile strength of 1,400 N/mm². Tungsten carbide tipped saw blades of 360 mm diameter and either 2.5 or 2 mm thick minimise the kerf and hence the amount of metal lost as swarf. For some materials, coated or cermet blades are used.

All such blades have the additional advantage that thin or thin-walled materials can be cut safely and efficiently, expanding the range of applications for which the KASTOgripspeed C10 is suitable. Particularly helpful is infinitely adjustable workpiece clamping with a force of 2 to 12.5 kN for safely securing thin-walled tubes and profiles.

Cutting range of the saw is from 15 to 100 mm diameter for rounds or up to 80 mm for square stock. The smallest cut-piece length is 8 mm, while remnant length is only 65 mm. Material feed stroke is 500 mm, or up to 9,999 mm with multiple feed.

Saw drive power is high at 11 kW to ensure efficient cutting of all type of material. Infeed speed ranges from 10 to 4,000 mm/min and is infinitely variable. The same is true for blade speed, which is adjustable from 17 to 175 m/min. Contributing to short idle time is 10 m/min rapid lift of the saw blade at the end of each cutting cycle.

To maximise productivity, continuous material infeed and outfeed is needed. KASTO offers a wide range of roller conveyors and inclined magazines for bar lengths up to 12 metres. As an alternative to inclined magazines, loaders are available for bundles up to a maximum of 5 tonnes. There are also flat and universal magazines for rectangular and profile materials or for fully automatic processing of cutting orders of small to medium batch sizes.

Several possibilities are available for the outfeed side, including conveyors and various types of automated sorting systems.


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The Nanotech 100UPG brings a new generation of accuracy, productivity, and simplicity in ultra-precision aspheric grinding. The system is available in either a XZ or XZB configuration. Although its primary application is the grinding of Tungsten Carbide and Silicon Carbide aspheric optical mold inserts used in glass press molding or the grinding of glass lenses directly, it also provides a 250mm diameter capacity for diamond turning applications.

Nanotech has continued its history of setting new industry standards in the ultra-precision machining systems field with their latest innovation. The Nanotech 100UPG is the most technically advanced aspheric grinder available, with a great emphasis having been placed on making operation of this system easy and intuitive. Whether the application is Tungsten Carbide / Silicon Carbide precision optical mold inserts or aspheric glass lenses, this total flood coolant containment design has been engineered to add value to the process in terms of both efficiency and performance. Available in either XZ or XZB configurations, the machine offers a 100mm diameter swing capacity for optical grinding. It can also serve as an ultra-precision diamond turning system with a 250mm diameter capacity.

The 100UPG has been developed with many new precision engineered components and features. These include high stiffness thermally controlled hydrostatic oil bearing slide ways, a compact utilities cabinet with integrated hydraulic and pneumatic systems, on-machine CNC controlled wheel dressing and metrology measurement, and a new control system. The main work spindle consists of an exclusive 10,000 rpm heavy-duty groove compensated air bearing design while the air bearing grinding spindle has a speed range of 5,000-45,000 rpm with less than 50 nanometers of radial and axial runout throughout its entire range. Both spindles benefit from total liquid cooling for long term thermal stability. Due to the high overall loop stiffness and exceptional quality and technical performance of all major components used on the Nanotech 100UPG, this equipment has been optimized to provide superb grinding performance. The optional Heavy Duty Oil Hydrostatic B-axis allows simple expansion of the basic two axis system to 3 axes of continuous path motion. The machine’s enclosure has been engineered for total flood containment with a smooth gliding curved door enabling easy and complete access to the work area for production loading/unloading and quick machine cleanup. Either temperature controlled or non-temperature controlled flood coolant delivery systems are available.

This system also features Nanotech’s New PowerNC™ Windows 7 based HMI Controller with superior processing speed over previous control systems in the ultra-precision industry. This combined with the industry’s first touch / swipe gesture interactive 22” wide screen display brings a simplicity and functionality unlike anything else while assuring high productivity and reliability.

Moore Nanotechnology Systems, LLC is a global supplier of ultra-precision machining systems for single point diamond turning, micro-milling, micro-grinding, and glass press molding. With machine installations in 28 different countries, Nanotech’s 2 - 5 axes symmetric and freeform optical machining systems offer the flexibility and reliability to cover R&D or production needs in a broad range of current and emerging markets. All systems achieve nanometer level surface finishes directly off the machine, most often eliminating the need for secondary post-polishing operations, while at the same time maintain sub-micron form accuracies. There are ultra-precision systems and then there are Nanotech ultra-precision machining solutions.


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Tungsten price is set for a period of stability over the next few years as the trend of falling Chinese exports is offset by expansions elsewhere and increased secondary supply, David Merriman, senior analyst at industry consultancy Roskill, said.

"We see the current price level as what it will be over the long-term," he said at Roskill's Minor Metals Seminar on Tuesday.

Ammonium paratungstate (APT) prices are currently quoted around $390/410 per kilo following a min-bounce this year from depressed late-2012 levels but they remain below the 2011 peak of $460.

"Restocking pulled prices up in early 2013. That has slowed and prices are expected to stabilise," Merriman said.

China will remain the key influence in the market on the supply side - the country accounted for 82 percent of global mine output in 2012, producing some 67,500 tonnes of tungsten (in terms of metal content). Production growth generally runs at around four percent per year, he noted.

But less of this increased supply is directed towards the export market amid quota restrictions. From the 2005 level of 18,200 tonnes, the quota has been cut to a current 15,400 tonnes. For raw material APT, exports are down 24 percent since 2011 but tungsten carbide shipments have fallen just 3.5 percent.

"This represents a move by China to reduce exports of intermediate material in favour of value-added products. Exports are likely to continue to decline as more material is consumed domestically," Merriman said.

China’s government regulates its tungsten industry by limiting the number of exploration, mining and export licenses it grants, limiting or forbidding foreign investment, imposing constraints on mining and processing and establishing quotas on production and exports.

Despite this, additional availability is expected from Russia, Spain and Portugal, as well as from the growing recycling sector.

"Secondary output is expected to increase by eight percent to 2018, mostly from Asia and Europe, and will account for 28 percent of production then," Merriman said.


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Trent West, owner of nine patents related to the concept and manufacture of Tungsten Carbide rings in the United States, has come to a settlement agreement with DAXX.

As part of the settlement agreement, DAXX, aka Silver Bin, (Draper, UT) has agreed to no longer sell Tungsten Carbide rings to its customer base and will pay West an undisclosed amount for damages.

West also has four cases pending against internet sellers for allegedly distributing and/or selling Tungsten Carbide rings throughout the United States over the Internet without a license.  The defendants identified in this claim are:

Ultimate Metals Co., aka Metal Masters Co. ("Ultimate Metals") of Los Angeles, CA
Zenga Inc. ("Zenga Inc.") dba King Ice, of El Monte, CA
Bonndorf ("Bonndorf') of Los Angeles, CA
Peora ("Peora") of Los Angeles, CA

Trend West is seeking permanent injunction against all defendants from further infringement and is also seeking monetary damages due to the infringement.

"We are extremely pleased with the settlement. This settlement is another major development in recognizing the validity of Trent West's patents and his ability to enforce his rights to protect his patent rights," states West's attorney, Edward King of King & Kelleher, LLP.  "This sends a clear message to violators who infringe on the nine patents covering all Tungsten Carbide rings in the U. S. market."

Trend West continues to enforce his patents and exercise his rights against manufacturers and retailers infringing on those patents.

Representing nearly one third or 32 percent of the men's wedding band market, Tungsten Carbide has become one of the most popular contemporary metals used in wedding bands. As one of the hardest materials used in the manufacture of rings, behind a diamond on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, Tungsten Carbide is also the most scratch-resistant metal on the jewelry ring market.


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Mark Saxon, President & CEO, is pleased to announce the execution of an agreement to acquire a 100% interest in a portfolio of tungsten projects in the Bergslagen mining district of south-central Sweden. This new tungsten portfolio includes several of the largest known tungsten occurrences in Scandinavia, including the former Yxsjoberg mine which accounts for more than 90% of the tungsten previously produced in Sweden. The projects lie 200 - 300km north of company's flagship Norra Karr heavy rare earth element project and were purchased outright for a total consideration of 100,000 fully paid common shares in Tasman Metals Ltd and C$45,000.

Tasman has acquired 6 tungsten projects (Yxsjoberg, Gussarvet, Wigstrom, Sandudden, Gustavsberg and Gensgruvan) which are secured by 7 exploration claims totaling 3,680.4 hectares in size. All projects have extensive historic information including drilling, production and metallurgical data, and are supported by excellent road, rail and power infrastructure.
"Acquisition of this tungsten portfolio, including a former tungsten producing mine, has provided an excellent opportunity for Tasman to expand its position as a potential strategic metal supplier for Europe" said Mark Saxon, Tasman's President and CEO. "While we maintain focus on our globally significant Norra Karr heavy REE project, tungsten is an essential industrial metal that faces the same resource security challenges to REE's, with a Chinese supply monopoly and strongly growing demand. Tasman shall continue to seek additional aligned opportunities during this challenging market for junior resource companies."
Based on its economic importance and high risk of supply disruption, tungsten has been named a "critical" metal in recent British Geological Survey (BGS) and European Commission (EC) publications. Tungsten is an essential industrial element with hundreds of end-use applications. It has the highest melting point (3,410°C) and highest tensile strength (19.3 gms/cc) of all pure metals and is therefore highly sought after for drilling and cutting equipment (termed hardmetals), specialty steels and aerospace applications.

Today, greater than 80% of tungsten is sourced from Chinese mines, therefore, presenting similar resource security challenges to rare earth elements. Since 2008, Chinese domestic demand has exceeded its own supply, resulting in a near doubling of price for tungsten concentrate over this period, and a gradual increase in total traded volume. Tungsten demand growth has consistently outperformed GDP growth.

Tungsten (the chemical symbol for which is W) holds a strong historic connection with Sweden. The name tungsten is derived from the Swedish for heavy (tung) stone (sten) relating to the high density of the metal. In 1781, mineral samples now known to be scheelite from the Bispberg mine (located 60km NE of Yxsjoberg) were analyzed by renowned Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele. Scheele demonstrated that the mineral contained calcium and a material he named tungstic acid.


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Engineering productive and profitable tungsten carbide turning operations for common but demanding steel materials, such as the ISO P25 material classification, is a challenge. Steel workpiece materials in this category are found in a range of applications—from automotive parts to heavy-duty fasteners to aerospace components. Many of these parts are made in high volumes.

Sandvik Coromant, has been focusing on promising developments in tungsten carbide turning insert technology specifically targeted to P25 turning applications. The result of these development efforts—a new grade of tungsten carbide turning inserts for P25 steels—is already in the hands of selected U.S. manufacturers as part of the company’s final field testing and evaluation procedures. The new grade is designated GC4325.

One of these manufacturers, GKN Walterscheid in Woodridge, Illinois, reports a significant gain in productivity with this tungsten carbide insert grade. In one test, these inserts outlasted previous insert choices by 50 percent. (Sandvik Coromant indicates that these results are typical for the entire test group, which includes numerous shops in the United States and Europe.)


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Swastik Tungsten Pvt Ltd has recently increased its manufacturing capacity for tungsten metal powder at its facility in Shrirampur, Maharashtra, India, some 130 km from Mumbai. The company states that it has installed a modern state of the art tungsten metal powder manufacturing unit at the site, with a monthly capacity of 22 mt.

Swastik Tungsten was established in 2000 and supplies tungsten metal powder and other non-ferrous metal powders to the domestic and international markets.
“We have a team of advanced professionals who are committed towards bringing innovation in terms of the features of the products. Our professionals adopt a committed approach towards excellence,” states the company.  

“We are equipped with advanced testing equipment to ensure that the products are properly checked for specific qualities. We have our own laboratory to test the products and ensure that the clients get the best.”

Swastik Tungsten's Managing Director, Ajit Arbatti, also announced plans to set up a sintered carbide MIM plant to further diversify the company's activities.


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Plymouth Minerals (ASX: PLH) will look to leverage expected supply shortages in tungsten by acquiring a brown fields tungsten project in Spain which could see exploration commence in Q4, 2013.

This should provide momentum for lightly capped Plymouth of under $3 million.

Under the deal, it will acquire the Morille tungsten-tin Project for cash and share based payments of €300,000 or A$420,000 over 12 months to earn 80% interest in the project.

Now tungsten project had previously produced tungsten and it was high quality tungsten concentrate evidently, until its closure in 1985 due a decline in the tungsten price.