Dana Corporation Signs Two Agreements to Further Develop AtmoPlas(TM) Technology

Dana Corporation Signs Two Agreements to Further Develop
AtmoPlas(TM) Technology 


TOLEDO, Ohio, June 29  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dana Corporation (NYSE:DCN)
announced today that it has signed separate development agreements with two
leading heat-treating system manufacturers to further develop Dana's
AtmoPlas(TM) technology.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990903/DANA )

Under the terms of the agreements, ALD Vacuum Technologies AG and RUBIG GmbH &
Co. KG will become licensees of Dana's AtmoPlas microwave atmospheric plasma
technology and utilize the technology as they develop next-generation
heat-treating equipment.

ALD plans to develop and manufacture carburizing systems utilizing the AtmoPlas
technology, and Rubig plans to incorporate Dana's technology into nitriding
processes.  In turn, Dana plans to utilize this advanced technology in its
heat-treating processes.  The agreements with both companies could be expanded
beyond their initial focus to include other applications in the future.

"These joint-development agreements are exciting next steps as we move toward
fully commercializing Dana's AtmoPlas technology," said Chuck Heine, president
of technology development for Dana.  "ALD and Rubig bring a wealth of
heat-treating expertise in the areas of carburization and nitriding, and we
look forward to working with them as important equipment-building partners."

Dana's AtmoPlas process generates and sustains plasma at atmospheric pressure -
without costly vacuum equipment - to effectively harness microwave energy. 
Within seconds, temperatures can reach 1,200 degrees Celsius, and there is no
known upper temperature limit.  This reduces cycle times and can lead to lower
energy use.  Other key benefits include lower operating and maintenance costs
and an overall reduction in capital investment.

"Like Dana, both ALD and Rubig embrace the development of new technologies and
believe in delivering the greatest efficiency and quality," said Heinz- Ubbo
Eilks, executive vice president of business development and technology at Dana.
 "As early adopters of this technology, ALD and Rubig will be able to offer
their customers more advanced heat treating than is currently available. Dana
is excited to be working with these companies as we fully leverage the
practical uses of the AtmoPlas technology."

Dana has identified many potential uses for its AtmoPlas(TM) technology and has
successfully completed the proof-of-concept and technical and commercial
analyses for carburization and nitriding.  The company is working to
commercialize additional applications for AtmoPlas technology, including
hardening, sintering, brazing, and annealing.  Potential surface-treatment
applications include hard-material coatings such as DLC, oxides, and plasma
cleaning.

Dana has applied for more than 20 patents for AtmoPlas(TM) technology, and was
recently awarded its first patent for joining metal.  Recent findings indicate
that the AtmoPlas process may revolutionize engine combustion, as well.

ALD Vacuum Technologies AG of Hanau, Germany, is the leading supplier of
process technologies and services in the field of vacuum metallurgy and vacuum
heat treatment.  With subsidiaries in the United States, Japan, and the United
Kingdom, as well as more than 70 representatives worldwide, ALD supplies
markets such as high-grade special steel, power-generation, environment,
aviation, photo-voltaic, material producers, and automotive suppliers.

Based in Austria, RUBIG(R) GmbH & Co. KG is a major supplier to commercial
heat-treatment and coating companies, especially those in the automotive and
aerospace industries.  Founded in 1946, Rubig is a specialist in plasma
nitriding and has joint ventures in Canada, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and
Austria.  The company's Website is http://www.rubig.com/.

Dana people design and manufacture products for every major vehicle producer in
the world.  Dana is focused on being an essential partner to automotive,
commercial, and off-highway vehicle customers, which collectively produce more
than 60 million vehicles every year.  A leading supplier of axle, driveshaft,
engine, frame, chassis, and transmission technologies, Dana employs 46,000
people in 28 countries.  The company is based in Toledo, Ohio, and reported
sales of $9.1 billion in 2004.  Dana's Internet address is
http://www.dana.com/. 

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DATASOURCE: Dana Corporation



CONTACT:  Jeff Cole of Dana Corporation, [phone], or

 



Web site:  http://www.dana.com/

http://www.rubig.com/ 



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