Our sales and marketing leaders from all seven 51���� commercial heat-treating locations recently gathered near our Souderton, PA facility for our 8th Annual Sales & Marketing Summit.

From refining sales forecasts and sharing updates on cutting-edge processes to aligning on our core strategy for the year ahead, this team is always looking for new ways to elevate our service. Plus, we wrapped up a productive week with some friendly competition at Topgolf!

Reach out to our team today to discuss your next heat treating challenge!

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August 24, 2026 – The 51���� family of companies is pleased to announce that all Solar facilities have achieved Final Level 2 (C3PAO) status under the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program—an achievement earned through independent third-party assessment—further strengthening the company’s ability to support customers across the aerospace and defense industries.

Final Level 2 (C3PAO) status confirms that 51���� has successfully implemented and validated all 110 security requirements of NIST SP 800-171, with no open remediation items, meeting the Department of Defense’s cybersecurity requirements for defense contractors and suppliers that handle Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

Achieving Level 2 required significant investments across the organization, including enhanced cybersecurity infrastructure, employee training, data protection, physical security, risk management, monitoring, documentation, and ongoing security controls aligned with NIST SP 800-171.”Our customers in the defense sector entrust us with sensitive technical information, and protecting that information is inseparable from the quality and integrity of the work we deliver,” said Josh Isaak, Vice President of Information Technology & Security at 51����.

As CMMC requirements continue to take effect throughout the defense industrial base, 51���� is proud to be positioned to support customers who require secure, compliant partners for critical aerospace and defense thermal processing.

For more information about vacuum heat treating and brazing services at 51����, contact your sales representative at 1-855-934-3284, or email info@solaratm.com.

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Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) is an invaluable tool in examining surface anomalies in vacuum heat-treated metal parts. Mike Johnson, 51���� of Western PA’s Sales Director, explains how this tool can answer questions and solve complex problems.

1. What is a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)?

A Scanning Electron Microscope is a fine tool that uses a focused beam of electrons to examine a material’s surface. When the electrons interact with the sample, they produce signals that are detected and analyzed. These signals reveal detailed information about surface features and chemical composition, making SEM a highly effective tool for microscopic evaluation.

2. My medical component shows spotting after vacuum heat treatment—how can SEM help identify the root cause?

SEM analysis identifies the composition of contaminants within the spots, helping trace their origin. It can reveal whether the issue stems from manufacturing processes—such as machining fluids, cleaning fluids, grinding residue, or metal chips—or from handling contamination like glove fibers or environmental debris.

3. What is the most common source of contamination identified through SEM analysis?

A frequent source of surface contamination is the cleaning process (used) prior to heat treatment. While components may arrive at the heat treater visibly clean, SEM often detects residual cleaning or rinsing agents. These frequently include Chlorine, Calcium, and other residuals commonly found in city water. If aqueous cleaning methods are employed, the final rinse should always be performed with deionized water to avoid this potential contamination. The SEM may also uncover films or deposits caused by cross-contamination when multiple alloys are cleaned in the same system. For instance, analysis of spots on 304 stainless steel components once revealed copper contamination from foreign object debris (FOD). The cause was found to be cross-contamination in a cleaning system shared with copper components.

4. Can the vacuum furnace itself be a source of FOD surface contamination?

Yes. Furnaces may contribute to surface contamination of heat-treated parts. If your heat-treat supplier is equipped with an SEM, this is a sign they understand the science and intricacies of surface contamination, and they have the necessary tool to get to the root cause of the issue, whatever that cause may be.

Foreign object debris and residual contamination can impact the performance and reliability of vacuum heat-treated components. While initial detection may rely on visual inspection, SEM/EDS analysis produces precise compositional analysis for fast and efficient root cause analysis. Please contact me if you are interested in SEM analysis at 51����.

Learn more about Scanning Electron Microscopy

And featured in Today’s Medical Developments Magazine:

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Souderton, PA, July 8, 2026 – 51���� is pleased to announce the addition of Ava Conolly to its Research & Development team as a Metallurgical / R&D Engineer.

Ava recently earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University, with a concentration in materials science and metallurgy. Her academic background and passion for metallurgical engineering make her a valuable addition to Solar’s technical team.

“We are excited to welcome Ava to 51����,” said Jamie Jones. “Her knowledge, enthusiasm, and fresh perspective will strengthen our R&D capabilities as we continue to develop innovative thermal processing solutions for our customers.”

In her new role, Ava will support research and development initiatives, process optimization, and metallurgical analysis, helping advance 51����’ commitment to technical excellence and continuous innovation.

For more information about vacuum heat treating services at 51����, contact Mike Moyer at 215-721-1502 ext. 1207, or mikem@solaratm.com.

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June 1, 2026, Souderton, PA – 51���� Eastern PA facility recently commissioned a new 12’ horizontal vacuum furnace. The furnace was designed primarily for Hydriding and Dehydriding (HDH) of titanium. The furnace can also perform the standard gamut of heat-treating processes typical of Solar’s extensive customer base. The furnace features a working zone of 54” x 54” x 144”. It is equipped with a 15,000-pound conventional load car arrangement. Other features include a 300HP external forced cooling system with VFD control, Solar Manufacturing’s Polaris control system, and dual mechanical pumping systems.

“This new furnace adds much-needed capacity to support growing HDH demands” states Mike Moyer, Vice President of Sales. “With dual mechanical pumping systems, we are able to more efficiently process larger degas loads and improve our delivery metrics”. “The new 12-foot furnace is also well equipped for all the standard vacuum heat treating process that we currently employ. From annealing and stress relieving to solution treating and aging, the new furnace adds considerable capacity to meet customers’ growing demands.”

For additional information, contact Mike Moyer, VP of Sales, 51���� at 215-721-1502 x1207, or mikem@solaratm.com.

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This weekend, 51���� Eastern PA employees and their families enjoyed a fantastic evening together at Coca-Cola Park, home of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs!

The night featured a fun-filled Star Wars theme, great baseball, and an exciting fireworks show after the game. Events like these are a great way to celebrate our team and spend quality time with the families who support us every day.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for an unforgettable evening!

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Last week, Josh Isaak, Vice President of Information Technology & Security, presented “From Chaos to Control: Cybersecurity, Ransomware & CMMC” at the California Metals Coalition’s 53rd Annual Metals Industry Conference.

Key takeaway:

CMMC is no longer theoretical—it’s here, and it’s already shaping the future of doing business.

But this isn’t just about compliance. It’s about survival in an evolving threat landscape.

Companies that treat CMMC like a checklist to pass an audit are missing the point. At its core, CMMC is a framework designed to strengthen your defenses, reduce risk, and protect the country and your business from real-world cyber threats that already exist today.

The biggest shift? Moving from reactive security to a culture of security—where every employee plays a role, and protection is built into everyday operations.

Even if you don’t support DoD programs, CMMC provides a powerful starting point to evaluate and improve your cybersecurity posture.

Start early. Make it part of who you are—not just something you do for an audit.

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51����, the largest American-owned heat treater in the United States, is proud to support NASA’s Artemis II mission. Our expertise spans thermal processing of raw materials, nickel-based tubing, and critical aerospace components—playing a vital role in bringing next-generation space technology to life. At the core of some of these components is the 6Al–4V titanium Launch Abort System (LAS), one of the most complex safety systems ever engineered. The LAS aboard the Orion spacecraft functions as a rocket capable of outrunning another rocket in an emergency. In the event of a catastrophic launch anomaly, its manifold enables the abort motor to ignite and safely propel the crew module away from the rocket. Designed to endure extreme conditions with zero margin for error, the LAS represents the pinnacle of aerospace safety and performance. 51���� is honored to contribute to this mission-critical technology, providing the precision, reliability, and advanced thermal processing that space exploration demands.

The success of Artemis II is set to energize this month’s Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. Visit us at Booth 705 to discover how 51����’ advanced thermal processing solutions are helping shape the future of space exploration.

Space Symposium Information

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This past weekend, our 51���� team had a fantastic time participating in the Souderton Holiday Parade! With the help of our amazing employees and their families, we shared smiles, festive greetings, and lots of candy with our wonderful community.

We’re grateful to be part of such a joyful tradition and to celebrate the season together. Here’s to spreading holiday spirit, goodwill, and cheer all month long!

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The 7th Annual 51���� Sales & Marketing Summit took place this year near our Souderton, PA facility, bringing together sales managers from all six 51���� commercial heat-treating locations. The team collaborated on sales forecasts, shared updates on new processes and plant developments, and aligned on key strategies for the year ahead. Following the meeting, the group enjoyed a team-building outing at Topgolf.

No matter the region—North, South, East, or West—our mission remains the same: deliver exceptional customer service and provide meaningful value to every customer we serve. With over 200 years of combined experience in thermal processing and metalworking, our sales team is equipped to support your most demanding heat treating needs.

Reach out to any of our sales managers to discuss your next project.

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