Process-Electronic (P-E) partnered with Wilhelm Alte GmbH, a German manufacturer of industrial furnaces, to supply DaimlerChrysler Berlin with a continuous furnace line equipped with P-E’s control system for hardening bolts and gears of car engines used in the Mercedes-Benz and Smart model series. The furnace is fully automated using a PLC-based system comprised of the Protherm 600 for real-time supervision and accurate process control. Furnace start-up and its integration to the automation platform were completed in the fourth quarter of 2006.

The furnace will also be tied into the Protherm 9000 plant automation system by P-E. The automation structure, which was implemented several years ago, currently consists of six chamber furnaces as well as material handling and storage systems.