Custom Carbon & Graphite Machining

04 Mar

Challenges Producing a Large Diameter Graphite Disc

In machine shops, the size of the equipment limits the size of the pieces that can be produced. Occasionally, however, a client needs something bigger than a shop is used to handling. They need a graphite plate that’s 82” in diameter, for instance. Most shops, Semco included, rarely if ever work with a block of graphite large enough to cut this disk from. Semco, however, is not in the business of turning down business or turning away customers who need graphite components. We’ve made our reputation as leaders in the field of graphite machining on handling just this kind of...

25 Feb

Isostatic Graphite Market Grows Rapidly

At Semco, we machine graphite to produce components for many industries and businesses. Graphite is a versatile substance, and our engineers know how to form it to the exact specifications of our clients. While much of the graphite we machine occurs naturally, some of the graphite material that we machine is man-made. A common method of graphite production is extrusion, where graphite blocks are created by pressing carbon powder through a die. While extruding graphite is common, a newer manufacturing process called Cold Isostatic Pressing (CIP) is being employed to meet a growing demand for isostatic graphite. Among graphite industries...

18 Feb

Graphite Dust as Fire Retardant

Recently, one of Semco’s neighbor companies had a magnesium fire on their property. Magnesium fires are no trivial matter; extinguishing them is notoriously risky and difficult. Little known to most people, but well known to firefighters and industries that work with magnesium, is that a magnesium fire is a problem with a graphite solution. In fact, the most disposable graphite material—graphite dust—is one of the most effective substances used to smother and eventually extinguish a magnesium fire. Understanding why the firefighters requested Semco’s help with this particular fire requires a little science, and maybe a visit to YouTube. Graphite Solution If...

11 Feb

Using Graphite to Build a High Powered Rocket in High School Science Classes

Semco are the graphite experts, no matter how obscure or rare the application. One of those obscure graphite applications, but also one of our favorite projects to assist with, is high school rocketry. Very simple rockets can be constructed with household props, but when a science class wants to get a bit more advanced, graphite components become necessary. And it just feels really good to say that what we do is rocket science. Graphite Applications Rockets are a common project for science classes, and students and teachers have many options to choose from when it comes to the type of...

21 Jan

Semco and Our Veteran Employees

It’s no secret that for many military veterans returning home from service to our country, the reintegration into civilian life can be challenging. One of the most important steps for a returning veteran to take is to find meaningful work. A good job provides not only income but also structure and routine, a place to socialize and form friendships, and an outlet for expressing skills and creativity. Semco, and many other companies, feel it is our society’s duty to extend opportunities to our veterans, men and women who often possess skills and habits that make them excellent employees. Even if...