The invention relates to an inventive way of optimizing the production processes of hardened steel components. Steel components (such as gears) are exposed to high temperatures during the production phase, after which they undergo rapid cooling to ensure that these components achieve the desired metallurgical composition. This process inevitably leads to deformations that cause the geometry of the hardened part to no longer match its original dimensions. To date, steel producers have been tackling this problem by "trial and error". The invention optimizes a.d.h.v. virtual tests the production process and geometry, which in this context gives rise to minimal deformation. Specifically, the invention determines the optimal heat treatment process parameters, as well as the optimal geometry of the part to be hardened.
展开▼
