Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT) has assigned ALD Vacuum Technologies GmbH, in joint venture ownership of ALD-Holcroft, to deliver three complete heat-treatment lines. The ModulTherm® lines are for the heat treatment of gear parts for FPT’s new C635 transmission used on midsize cars. The furnace systems will be installed at FPT’s plant in Verrone, Italy, with production scheduled to start up in 2009.

The three ModulTherm® lines to be delivered comprise low-pressure carburizing and high-pressure gas quenching technology. Each line is equipped with eight independent heat-treatment chambers that are charged by a mobile transport module. The quenching is performed in a separate cold chamber mounted on a transport module.