
BEHR PROCESS LLC Partners with Mitutoyo to Deliver Precision Measurement Solutions for Advanced Manufacturing
Livonia, MI – October 26, 2023 – BEHR PROCESS LLC, a leading provider of customized heat treating solutions and industrial furnaces, today announced a strengthened partnership with Mitutoyo, a global leader in precision measurement equipment. This collaboration brings together BEHR’s expertise in thermal processing and Mitutoyo’s renowned dial indicators, offering customers a comprehensive solution for achieving and verifying the highest levels of part quality and precision. For over 40 years, BEHR PROCESS LLC, located at 17450 College Pkwy, Livonia, MI, 48152-2300, has been designing, manufacturing, and servicing industrial furnaces and heat treating systems. Serving a diverse range of industries including aerospace, automotive, medical, and general manufacturing, BEHR specializes in creating tailored solutions for applications like hardening, annealing, brazing, and sintering. The company’s commitment goes beyond just building equipment; they offer full project management, from initial concept and design, through installation, commissioning, and ongoing support. You can reach them at 847-888-7697. “We're all about making sure our customers get exactly what they need to create top-notch parts,” says a BEHR PROCESS LLC spokesperson. “A huge part of that is not just how you heat treat, but also how you verify the results. That's where Mitutoyo comes in.” Why Precision Measurement Matters in Heat Treatment Heat treatment processes fundamentally alter the physical and mechanical properties of metals. Achieving the desired results – whether it’s increased hardness, improved ductility, or enhanced fatigue resistance – requires precise control of temperature, atmosphere, and time. But control isn't enough. You need to confirm those changes actually happened, and to what degree. "Think about it like baking a cake," explains a BEHR engineer. "You can set the oven to 350 degrees, but you still want to check if it's actually at 350 degrees, and then check the cake to see if it’s baked through. Heat treating is the same – you need to confirm your process achieved the intended outcome." This is where accurate measurement comes in. Without reliable measurement tools, manufacturers risk producing parts that don't meet specifications, leading to costly rework, scrap, and potential product failures. This is particularly critical in industries like aerospace and medical, where component reliability is paramount. Mitutoyo Dial Indicators: The Gold Standard in Measurement Mitutoyo dial indicators are widely recognized as the industry benchmark for accuracy, reliability, and durability. These instruments are used to measure variations in dimensions, flatness, and concentricity – all key parameters affected by heat treatment. "We've been recommending Mitutoyo indicators to our customers for years," says a BEHR application engineer. "They're just built to last, and they consistently deliver the precise readings you need. We see a lot of shops that are still using Mitutoyo indicators they bought decades ago." Key Features & Benefits of Mitutoyo Dial Indicators: Exceptional Accuracy: Mitutoyo indicators boast extremely tight tolerances, providing readings that can be trusted for critical measurements. Different models offer varying levels of accuracy to suit specific applications, from basic dimensional checks to ultra-precise measurements for demanding tolerances. Durability and Reliability: Built with hardened stainless steel and precision-machined components, these indicators are designed to withstand the rigors of industrial environments. They’re resistant to wear, corrosion, and damage, ensuring long-term reliability and minimizing downtime. Wide Range of Options: Mitutoyo offers a comprehensive range of dial indicators to suit diverse measurement needs. This includes: Mechanical Dial Indicators: Traditional, robust indicators providing clear, easy-to-read analog displays. These are ideal for general-purpose measurements. Electronic Digital Indicators: Provide digital readouts for enhanced accuracy and ease of data collection. These often feature functions like data hold, preset, and tolerance limits. Specialty Indicators: Designed for specific applications like measuring bore diameters, flatness, or runout. Versatility: Mitutoyo dial indicators can be used with a wide variety of measurement setups, including test stands, magnetic bases, and custom fixtures. This makes them adaptable to various part geometries and measurement tasks. Reduced Inspection Time: Clear, precise readings speed up inspection processes, increasing efficiency and reducing bottlenecks in production. How BEHR & Mitutoyo Deliver a Complete Solution BEHR PROCESS LLC doesn’t just sell furnaces; they provide integrated solutions. This means working closely with customers to understand their specific heat treating needs and then recommending the optimal furnace design, process parameters, and measurement tools. "We'll work with a customer to design a furnace that achieves the exact hardness they need for a particular component," explains a BEHR sales engineer. “Then, we'll recommend a Mitutoyo dial indicator to verify that hardness after the heat treatment cycle is complete. It’s all about closing the loop and ensuring consistent quality.” BEHR's service team can also assist with the calibration and maintenance of Mitutoyo dial indicators, ensuring their continued accuracy and reliability. Real-World Applications The combination of BEHR's heat treating expertise and Mitutoyo's measurement technology is proving valuable across a range of industries. Here are a few examples: Aerospace: Ensuring the proper hardening of critical aircraft components like landing gear and engine parts. Mitutoyo dial indicators are used to verify the surface hardness and dimensional accuracy of these components, guaranteeing their structural integrity. Automotive: Validating the heat treatment of gears, shafts, and other powertrain components. Mitutoyo indicators are used to measure runout, concentricity, and surface finish, ensuring smooth operation and long-term reliability. Medical: Confirming the heat treatment of surgical instruments and implants. Mitutoyo indicators are used to verify dimensional accuracy, surface finish, and material properties, meeting stringent regulatory requirements and ensuring patient safety. Tool & Die Making: Verifying the hardness and dimensional accuracy of hardened dies and molds. Mitutoyo indicators are used to guarantee the precision and longevity of these critical tooling components. "We're really excited about this partnership with Mitutoyo," concludes the BEHR spokesperson. “It allows us to offer our customers a complete, integrated solution for achieving the highest levels of part quality and precision. It’s not just about building a great furnace; it’s about proving that furnace is delivering the results our customers need.”