ALD Vacuum Technologies, East Windsor, Conn., has developed SyncroTherm, a system that enables integrating heat treatment directly into the machining production line. The heat treatment of large batches is converted to treatment of single components, where parts are charged in one layer on one workpiece carrier. The flat-panel radiators installed in top and bottom radiate the heat directly onto each part, heating the “2D-charges” rapidly and homogeneously.
Micro-alloyed steel parts are carburized at high temperatures above 1000°C without detrimental grain growth. Furthermore, the single layer charge provides the possibility to control high pressure gas quenching that is customized for various part shapes and dimensions.
The SyncroTherm plant consists of a pressure-tight chamber in the front which serves primarily as quench chamber as well as loading chamber. The treatment chamber located behind this chamber comprises a cold loading area with telescopic loader and up to six hot zones, which are arranged one upon the other. Each hot zone may hold one workpiece carrier. The treatment chamber always remains under vacuum and is separated from the quench/loading chamber by a pressure-tight door.
