When you think of the vibrant music scene, your mind may jump to electric guitars, powerful amplifiers, or perhaps the skill of a masterful guitarist. But behind the strings that resonate with passion and creativity lies a remarkable story of innovation and craftsmanship, especially from companies like Ken-tron Mfg., Inc. in Owensboro, Kentucky.

Crafting Excellence: The Art of Music Wire Production

At the heart of Ken-tron’s operations is the production of music wire, a specialized product that plays a crucial role in the creation of musical instruments. Using a sophisticated cold drawing process, Ken-tron takes raw wire material and pulls it through dies, meticulously crafting it into various diameters. This precision ensures that the music wire can withstand the high levels of tension and stress that come from being strummed, plucked, and strummed again.

Why Music Wire Matters

So, what makes music wire so essential? The answer lies in its composition and durability. Typically made from nickel, nickel-plated steel, or stainless steel for electric guitars, and from brass, bronze, or copper alloys for acoustic guitars, music wire is designed to maintain its integrity under continuous stress. The next time you find yourself captivated by a live performance, take a moment to appreciate the silent strength of the music wire that helps create those unforgettable melodies.

A Legacy of Innovation

Ken-tron Mfg., Inc. began its journey in 1960 as Kentucky Electronics, focusing on precision grid wire for receiving tubes. Over the years, the company has diversified its product lines, moving from metal stampings for television parts to serving various industries, including aerospace, medical, and electronics. This evolution reflects not just adaptability, but a commitment to quality and innovation that has cemented Ken-tron’s position as an international manufacturer.

Community and Economic Growth

Located in Owensboro, the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. proudly highlights the significance of companies like Ken-tron Mfg., Inc. in driving local economic growth.

As buyers know, aerospace is a technologically advanced industry renowned for rigorous standards and precise specifications. Components such as aerospace wire and metal stampings play a critical role in ensuring safety, performance, and reliability of aerospace systems and assemblies. Understanding the lifecycle of these components will provide insight into the complex processes involved in aerospace manufacturing and maintenance. From design to end-of-life, we’ll examine the various lifecycle stages of aerospace components.

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Precision, reliability, and compliance with stringent standards are key considerations for the aerospace industry. Metal stampings are essential for the aerospace sector, but for these components, manufacturers often face challenges in balancing cost and quality.

As an experienced metal component specialist, Ken-tron offers cost-effective solutions for aerospace metal stampings for a wide range of aerospace manufacturing needs, ensuring that budget constraints do not compromise quality or performance.

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Corrosion, the silent threat to metals, significantly compromises the durability and functionality of industrial structures and equipment. When it comes to metal wire used in commercial and industrial applications, the ability to withstand corrosion is not just a desirable trait – it’s a requirement. In this post, we’ll take a look at the importance of corrosion resistance in metal wire and its pivotal role in ensuring the longevity and reliability of industrial components.

Corrosion Pervasive in Industrial Settings

Corrosion, which refers to the degradation of a metal caused by a reaction with its environment, is pervasive in industrial settings due to factors like moisture and chemicals. It can quickly lead to structural deterioration, compromising the integrity of industrial components. In settings where metal wires are extensively used, such as manufacturing plants, outdoor installations, and chemical processing facilities, the battle against corrosion is unending.

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In industrial applications, materials with desirable properties play a pivotal role in shaping innovation. Kovar wire, an alloy renowned for its unique characteristics, is a great example of a precision engineered and reliable material.

In this blog post we will look at the distinctive properties of Kovar wire and explore its diverse applications in a variety of industries.

Composition and Properties

Kovar is a nickel-iron-cobalt alloy known for its thermal expansion characteristics, which closely match those of glass and ceramics. Composed of approximately 29% nickel, 17% cobalt, and the remainder iron, Kovar exhibits low thermal expansion over a broad temperature range. This property makes it a great choice for applications where a tight seal is required.

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Aerospace engineering applications demand precision and reliability. At the core of every successful aviation and space mission is a set of meticulously specified components. These parts include aerospace wire that plays a role in ensuring seamless communication, reliable power distribution, and dependable electronic systems.

Aerospace Wire Must Meet Unique Demands

Choosing the right aerospace wire is not a one-size-fits-all process. It requires a comprehensive understanding of the unique demands imposed by aerospace application environments. The following are Five important things to consider when specifying aerospace wire:

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Sometimes you just need help putting it all together.  That’s where we come in.  Ken-tron helps our customers assemble their products.

Ken-tron has the experience you need in assembly and in manufacturing.  In our assemblies we assemble parts and wire we have produced; plus components we purchase from other manufacturers.

Since the 1960s, assemblies have been a large part of what we do at Ken-tron Mfg., Inc.  Our experience in assembling components for our customers includes aerospace assemblies, electronic assemblies, automotive assemblies, and the assembly of many other final products and sub-assemblies.  Ken-tron produces assemblies using automated equipment and machines, employees, or a combination of machines and labor.

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Those clicks that just woke you up were not reindeer on the roof; your power just went out. Not to worry, you still have that free flashlight from the insurance agent. Uh oh… Dead batteries.

No one understands how important reliability is more than Ken-tron. For decades, our customers, and their customers, have counted on Ken-tron battery stampings for reliable performance.

Our components make up batteries that power a full range of aerospace and military applications, as well as medical devices, industrial tools, and more. When called upon, these batteries must perform, and Ken-tron metal stampings are integral to assuring that performance.

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Ken-tron Mfg., Inc. was excited to recently be the subject of Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation’s OBKY Local Look. Each quarter, GO-EDC produces a video profiling an Owensboro area business. Ken-tron, which began initially as Kentucky Electronics, has been a part of Owensboro, Kentucky’s business community since 1960.

GO-EDC, a public/private partnership, is the economic development agency for Owensboro and Daviess County. Formed to attract and to grow primary employers, to assist existing businesses with retention and expansion, and to promote entrepreneurial growth, this agency is a tireless advocate for the local community. Read more »