VACUUM HEAT TREATMENT SYSTEMS FOR MODERN PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

摘要

To secure the required properties, highly stressed metallic machine parts or tools need to be heat treated. This occurs traditionally in central hardening shops. However the separation between machining and heat treatment results in high costs for transportation and logistics within the production-plant. Therefore since many years it is being discussed to integrate heat treatment into the manufacturing environment. By the use of new vacuum heat treatment technologies in combination with high pressure gas quenching and the introduction of modular and flexible heat treatment systems, it is possible since some years to integrate heat treatment in the manufacturing environment. In that case the parts to be heat treated are loaded in multiple layers and processed in big batches. Process improvements like high-temperature carburizing meanwhile allow to shorten process cycles. With the development of appropriate new vacuum heat treatment systems it is now possible to integrate heat treatment directly into the manufacturing line. To process parts in small batches and short cycles allows for integral one-piece-flow production strategies. This paper presents various concepts where vacuum heat treatment technologies are integrated into the modern production process. It reports about practical experiences from different users operating such kind of technology in the field of tool and engine construction.