Benefits derived from computer integration of complex heat-treat equipment.

摘要

Stringent atmospheric conditions imperative for high-grade metal billet production mandate the use of a furnace system capable of maintaining a high-integrity inert atmosphere during automated insertion, processing, and removal of billets. The computer-integrated manufacturing strategy developed for forming and forging operations will be discussed in this paper. The integrated system includes a rotary hearth furnace, an automated billet-handling system, and inventory tracking, with an associated process control system for operation and integration. This paper will describe furnace system design in detail, and will report a unique strategy for thermocouple selection, temperature control, and power element monitoring by the process controller. The billet-handling system comprises a robotic manipulator, inventory ingress/egress conveyors with precision mechanical positioner and photoelectric monitoring, and a multiple I/O process controller. This paper will discuss the role of the process controller functions of supervision, control, and process monitoring, and input of furnace and all associated subsystem parameters (data, alarms, inventory status, furnace status, etc.) into a general plant production data base system. The integrated system will be presented and discussed to demonstrate the benefits of factory automation from both management and operator perspectives. 4 refs., 5 figs.