Modern thermal process technology is a critical part of the added value chain of all metal industries, from foundries, steel and aluminium works to the large spectrum of non-ferrous sectors. Among the tasks of thermal process technology is on one hand the smelting and casting of iron and steel, aluminium and non-ferrous metals. No less important, on the other hand, is the precise determination of the desired qualities of a product through thermal and surface treatment of metals, from heating to annealing.
For optimising and stabilising the production processes and to increase energy and resource efficiency, digitalisation is continually gaining importance within thermal process technology. The spectrum of digital technologies ranges from process modelling using selected measured temperature data, to the use of artificial intelligence to efficiency increase, to complete connectivity of thermal process technology plants in industry 4.0 environments.
The product portfolio of producers of systems, machines and components for thermal process technology ranges from small laboratory kilns to medium sized induction furnaces and thermal processing kilns, up to large rotary tube furnaces and walking beam furnaces. When optimising procedures and plants within thermal process technology, apart from technical performance and economic concerns, the focus is on issues of sparing resources, regaining raw materials and reducing CO2.
