Abbott Furnace Company received an order from a global automotive supplier for a continuous-belt brazing furnace. The electrically heated furnace, which will be installed in Mexico in the fourth quarter of 2020, will be used for brazing of fuel-delivery components. The four-zone furnace is rated for 2150°F (1177°C) and includes a 24-inch-wide belt and a silicon-carbide-domed muffle.

Armil CFS Inc. shipped a hydraulic pusher furnace designed to burn out and preheat investment-casting molds to a Midwest manufacturer of marine propulsion components. The furnace, which includes an automated tray extraction system and return conveyor, is designed to push a 48-inch-wide tray holding investment-casting molds up to 18 inches high. The combustion system is configured to promote clean firing of ceramic molds at temperatures up to 2150°F (1177°C).

Super Systems Inc. completed a nitrogen-methanol controls upgrade for an industrial furnace line at Liberty Wire in Johnstown, Pa. The scope of the project included a new control system and panel for a continuous annealing furnace line for processing coiled wire products. The SSI Matrix control system was incorporated to control the automated flow and mixing of the process gases. SSI HMI and eFlo 2.0 meters were also integrated to provide Liberty Wire with the latest in hardware, software and communications technology.

When it comes to heat treating, understanding the way the furnace works is key to optimizing the process. Fortunately, this understanding can be achieved with thermal profiling.

Can-Eng Furnaces International Ltd. received the final acceptance certificate from Indian steelmaker SAIL for a roller-hearth plate quench-and-temper system. It is designed to heat treat a wide range of plates from 0.25-4.0 inches (6-100 mm) thick x 118 inches (3,000 mm) wide up to 42.5 feet (13 meters) long in a variety of grades for commercial and non-commercial applications. With an overall line length of 400 feet (122 meters) and a restrained roller spray quench at the heart of the system, the heat-treatment process results in true flat plates with metallurgical properties that exceed contractual requirements. The auto-recuperative radiant-tube-fired atmosphere roller-hearth hardening furnace and direct-fired temper furnace run off coke-oven gas (COG), a byproduct of the steelmaking process. 

OAO Belaz, a Belarusian dump-truck manufacturer ordered an electric roller furnace for the heat treatment of large bearing rings. The furnace is designed to heat treat bearing rings with a diameter of 980-1,180 mm. These rings are used in the production of dump trucks used in the mining industry. The entire line, which will be supplied by SECO/WARWICK, includes: a transport system with a set of manipulators, an electric roller furnace, a hardening press with matrix instrumentation and a control system with data visualization and archiving.

Thomas Morris Crafton, president and CEO of Thermcraft Inc., passed away April 28 at the age of 67. Thermcraft was founded in 1971 by Tom’s father and mother, Morris L. Crafton and Clara Martin Crafton. Tom and his wife, Nancy, moved to Winston-Salem, N.C., in 1978, where he joined his parents at Thermcraft. He was a successful businessman and was greatly admired by his colleagues. Tom has given presentations about small businesses in Washington, D.C. and has relationships with companies throughout the world.

Can-Eng Furnaces International Ltd. has been awarded a contract by a major U.S. automotive parts supplier for the complete overhaul and refurbishment of a cast link-belt normalizing furnace. Designed and manufactured by Can-Eng in 1996, the equipment was originally rated at 27,000 pounds/hour of hot-charged, closed-die forgings. It was known to be one of the largest cast link-belt furnaces in the world at the time of its manufacture. The refurbishment project will take place in Can-Eng’s Niagara Falls shops and will consist of a complete refractory reline, new combustion system, new control panel and a Level II automation system.

As we begin to return to normal, equipment that has been turned off will need to be brought back online. There are a few considerations that must be taken to ensure a successful return to operation.

Gasbarre Thermal Processing Systems delivered a custom-built batch tempering furnace to a commercial heat-treating company located on the West Coast. With a work-load size of 168 inches wide x 48 inches deep x and 48 inches tall and a maximum load weight of 10,000 pounds, the furnace can accommodate a number of differently sized parts within the aerospace market. The gas-fired unit passes survey at ±10°F over a temperature range of 850-1350°F (455-732°C) per AMS 2750E.