EoW September 2010

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EuroWire – September 2010 41
technology news
CPA Wire Technologies GmbH has developed a furnace technology for the heat
treatment of steel goods and high carbon wires and bands. The project was partnered
by the Austrian research funding agency.
Under the brand name CPA–AEOX Industrial Furnaces the company has launched a
patented furnace series which is aimed in particular at the perceived weaknesses of the
products currently available in the market. Apart from energy savings, said to be up to
40%, and low emission combustion of gases, the series offers a part-load capacity of
25% to 115% of the nominal load for flexible production.
The temperature profile in the furnace and the furnace atmosphere are graphically
parameterised via the integrated control and visualisation system. Core of the new
technology for austenitisation, patenting, tempering and diffusion is a combination of
radiant and convection heat by recirculation and appropriate guiding of the flue gases
at multi-phase pre-heating of the combustion air while cooling the exhaust gases
as well as recuperation of the heat drag-out by the material to be treated. In contrast
to conventional industrial furnaces for the mentioned purpose the furnace pressure
and the exhaust gas stream in the furnace are not reached via the instreaming gas/air
mixture but via the high circulation of the flue gases generated by a special fan.
The challenge of the furnaces currently offered on the market of an inadmissible
change in the furnace atmosphere by a reduction of the furnace pressure and the flue
gas flow under part-load is thereby prevented, as well as a reduction of the convection
heat ratio that results in a significantly better controllability at varying furnace loads and
different product mixes. By increasing the convection heat transfer to the material to be
treated, a reduction of the furnace length of around 20% is possible, and a reduction
of the heat emission via the outer casing can be achieved. Special fans, designed for
temperatures of over 1,000°C and integrated into the furnaces, are provided in addition
to the monitoring function of all electrical parameters and the lubricant supply with a
flow, pressure and oscillation sensor technology. The process is continuously monitored
and diagnosed by the process control and diagnosis system IMPERIO by CPA.
All furnaces can be heated with gas as well as electrically. As an option, gas-heated
furnaces can also be equipped with aWobbe-index measuring unit and a corresponding
combustion air control.
A new CPA Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Plug & Play concept simplifies the installation and
commissioning of the modularly designed furnaces.
CPAWire Technologies GmbH – Austria
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Energy efficient, super heat treatment furnaces
The Esteves Group is releasing a major update to its Drawing Die Wizard computer
program, a free to download design tool for wire dies.
The Esteves Group believes it is the only wire die manufacturer to enable its customers
to understand the logic behind the design of the ideal die for each application, and the
selection of the most cost-effective die blank.
Highlights of the new version include:
Real-time 3D view of the inner profile of the designed die •
Computer generated microscope view with realistic light reflections that simulates •
looking at an actual die with a real microscope. This makes it easy to view and
discuss various profile shapes before the die is manufactured
Animated simulation of wire drawn through the die makes it possible to see the •
location and growth of a wear ring for the particular profile
Supports ten languages •
Improved reduction cone angle and blank suggestions •
With over 100 years of experience the Esteves Group produces a comprehensive range
of standard and custom diamond and carbide tools and dies for drawing, stranding,
bunching, compacting, tube calibration and extrusion; also split and shaped dies in
both diamond and carbide.
Esteves Group – Brazil
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More wizardry for dies