Automation of Furnaces for Metal Heat Treatment: Cases of Vacuum Furnace and Conveyor Belt Furnace with Protective Atmosphere

Abstract and Figures

Sustainability, one of the most important aspects of every production plant, can be enhanced through retrofitting. In this paper, retrofitting of two furnaces for metal heat treatment, namely vacuum furnace and conveyor belt furnace with protective atmosphere, are presented. The goal of the revitalization of the furnaces is modernization through the digital transformation of technological process variables as a new form of data availability in the context of Industry 4.0. The application of a modern control system based on a programmable logic controller ensures optimal control of the technological process which significantly extends the useful life of the machine. For the vacuum furnace, the replacement of a dilapidated vacuum system is also performed.