Continuous furnace for heat treatment of piston rods after chrome plating
We have supplied a continuous line for the technological process of heat treatment of piston rods after chrome plating to a major manufacturer of engine parts and components in order to release hydrogen from this layer. The line consists of a continuous furnace SP 3960/03 with chain conveyors and an associated cooling chamber.
The continuous furnace is equipped with three heating zones, each with an independent circulation fan. The piston rods are stored in a loading jig, which moves on a chain conveyor through the furnace and the individual heating zones. A lifting device with a connecting roller track is used to load and remove the loading jigs. Both ends of the furnace are equipped with upward-opening doors. The cooling chamber is next to the furnace chamber, the charge is cooled here in an uncontrolled manner, with cold air with forced ventilation. The cooling chamber is for two positions of jigs and another roller track located perpendicular to the main track serves to move the jig between the furnace conveyor and the cooling tunnel conveyor.
Flammable gases may be released from the charge during the heat treatment process. The furnace is therefore protected against the accumulation of flammable gases by means of permanent ventilation (exhaust). Furthermore, sensors are placed on the furnace to measure the hydrogen content in the surrounding atmosphere. In case of any danger of released hydrogen, the furnace is stopped.
Insertion and removal of piston rods can be performed by a robot.