Paulo Nashville installed two AFC-Holcroft integral-quench (IQ) furnaces, bringing the facility’s total to eight. The furnaces, which can process loads up to 36 x 48 x 36 inches and 4,000 pounds, were built with Paulo’s proprietary integrated control systems to ensure repeatable, error-proof processing. The additional capacity will allow Paulo to better serve customers in the southeast U.S. The furnaces have the capability to provide through hardening, case hardening and ferritic nitrocarburizing.

Paulo Nashville’s furnace line was extended to accommodate the new equipment, which includes the addition of four tempering furnaces and additional material-handling and load-building stations. The installation is part of a multiyear expansion at the facility. The expansion plan also included relocating the vacuum heat-treatment department and expanding the lab and testing area. The new furnaces are currently having uniformity tests completed.