Titan – Combat Robot by Team Xenos

In March, PTG was able to provide 6AL-4V, 0.125” sheet and 0.5” plate to Team Xenos, a combat robotics team from Akron STEM High School. They’ve now finished their competition for the year and were able to share some follow-up comments, photos, and a video of their robot Titan:

“Team Xenos would like to thank you for everything PTG did to help with funding the robot. This year we had some trouble finding funds to finish this off, and without your help we would have never finished.

Your Titanium held up extremely well, even when other parts of the robot may not have. While most robot’s baseplates were completely destroyed, it took two competitions and seven fights for your bottom plate to even begin to bend. Even after all the fights the weapon went through, it never bent either. The closest it came was the knife-sharp point on the tip of it beginning to chip.
We received many compliments on our drive system, and it would never have turned out as well without your help.”

Watch the short video below to see Titan in action:

We are looking forward to seeing how this team progresses and what they will design for next year!
To find out more about Team Xenos and read about their robot Titan, visit: http://teamxenos.weebly.com/titan.html

Mini-Tour of PTG’s Warehouse

All day, every day, we are cutting titanium bars, plates, blocks, and sheets for our customers.  Take a peek at Performance Titanium Group’s Warehouse to find out where all the magic happens!

Team Spyder and FIRST Robotics

We have had the absolute pleasure of working with one of our local FIRST Robotics teams, Team Spyder. When we first contacted Team Spyder last year, they were quick to bring their robot out to do a demonstration for us – we were amazed by the knowledge and ability of these students!

In April, we went to see Team Spyder compete at the San Diego Regionals, where they won several awards and placed 6 out of 58. Pretty impressive!

We got in touch with Philip Thomas (Team President) and Kent Roberts (Mechanical Lead and Drive Team Coach) to give us a behind the scenes look into Team Spyder and the FIRST Robotics program.

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CAD rendering of Team Spyder’s robot.

PTG: Philip, tell us a little bit about the team.

Philip: Team Spyder is the Poway High School Robotics Team. The team started as an engineering club, but in time developed into a robotics club with participation in the First Robotics Competition. The team’s first year in FRC was in 2004, with only seven members. That year, Team Spyder won the highest rookie seed award, and developed a reputation for learning and success.

Over the years, Team Spyder has grown to be one of the largest clubs at Poway High with 63 current members. Our vision is to inspire engineering throughout the community, and our mission is to create a culture of engineering inspiration throughout the community. Team Spyder works towards its mission and vision through demonstrations, attending city council meetings, and hosting and assisting multiple STEM competitions, fairs, and events throughout San Diego.

Team Spyder is a club that not only teaches students about the principles of engineering, but also cultivates a passion for leadership, dedication, and success. Team Spyder is about inspiring students to tackle the challenges of the future, and encouraging them to make a difference within the STEM fields. However, Team Spyder not only encompasses its student members. The team is also composed of the many adult mentors and volunteers who give their time and knowledge for the team, and the many companies, corporations, and foundations that sponsor and donate to the team. Without their help, Team Spyder would not be the success it is today.

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Slight drop in Q2 ATI Surcharge

The second quarter is upon us, and ATI Specialty Materials has published new titanium surcharges. However, nothing to write home about.

ATI’s RMS (raw material surcharge) is published quarterly, and fluctuates based on critical elements used in the melting of products.

ATI 6AL-4V and 6AL-4V ELI Bar and Plate Surcharges dropped to $5.15/lb, down a whopping 3 cents from the prior quarter.

CP Grades 2 and 4 remained stable at $3.70/lb for Bar and Plate.

PTG Supports Team Xenos

PTG is very excited to be sponsoring another robotics team! This time the team is competing in combat events. Team Xenos comes from Akron STEM High School. The team consists of six members, in grades 9 and 10. They give us some insight into combat robots and the journey they’ve had so far.

 

Team Xenos

[Read more…]

ATI Surcharge Holds Steady

The first of the year brought a newly published quarterly titanium surcharge from ATI, with no significant changes.
The 6AL-4V titanium bar and flat products surcharges dropped a penny from last quarter, to $5.18/lb. The 6AL-4V ELI surcharge followed suit, listing at $5.18/lb.

Commercially Pure Grades 2 and 4 held firm from fourth quarter 2014, at $3.70/lb for bar and flat products.

Though surcharges remain flat, lead times have greatly extended at various domestic titanium mills. Small diameter products may require 30+ weeks lead time, while larger diameters and plates are running 14-22 weeks.

ATI Raises Titanium Surcharge for 6AL-4V

ATI Allvac has marginally increased its raw material surcharge for 6AL-4V titanium products.

Surcharge changes are currently released on a quarterly basis.  The fourth quarter surcharge on 6AL-4V titanium bar products is $5.19/lb, up from $4.98/lb for the third quarter. The surcharge has been creeping upwards since the second quarter of 2014, when it charted its first increase in two years.

The Commercially Pure Grade 2 surcharge remained flat at $3.70/lb for bar and flat products.

Performance Titanium Group Successfully Earns AS9100C Certification

Performance Titanium Group, a leading distributor of domestic and import titanium products to the aerospace, defense, oil and gas and medical sectors, is pleased to announce that it has successfully obtained its AS9100C Certification after completing all audits without a single finding. PTG completed the audit process in December 2013 with ANAB accredited registrar, Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc., and was found to be in full compliance with the aerospace and ISO standards.

The AS9100C standard was developed by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) to standardize the quality management requirements of all levels of the supply chain in the aerospace industry. The standard establishes requirements for airworthiness, safety, product conformity, and reliability. These requirements include configuration management, design, purchasing, product realization and product monitoring and measurement.  The standard also emphasizes the use of risk management and mitigation, supply chain monitoring, project management, and procedures for management and prevention of nonconforming product.

PTG’s quality system goes above and beyond the standards’ requirements in an effort to provide the highest quality titanium material and best possible service to its customers. The AS9100 standard not only helps PTG maintain a consistent quality product, but also helps to measure its progress in doing so by providing a framework for continual improvement in all areas. PTG is committed to continually improving its services and products and aims to maintain their status as one of the nation’s leading titanium suppliers.  The recent AS9100C certification further asserts PTG’s dedication to meet and exceed customer requirements, thereby contributing to the success of the customer.

PTG is thrilled to have achieved this goal and is excited to share their continued successes with the aerospace community.

About Performance Titanium Group

Performance Titanium Group is a distributor of domestic and import titanium products, including rod, forged and rolled rectangles or blocks, titanium plates and sheets. Our products are manufactured by reputable titanium producers, to ensure top-quality input for your parts.  PTG prides itself on providing exceptional service and reliability to our valued customers.  Your success is our personal priority.

PERFORMANCE TITANIUM GROUP: A CUT ABOVE THE REST