A Guide to Selecting Heat Treating Equipment

A Guide to Selecting Heat Treating Equipment

Do you always feel confident when selecting heat treating equipment? ¿Se siente siempre seguro cuando selecciona equipos de tratamiento térmico?

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Choosing the right heat treating equipment is crucial as it affects product quality and projects' bottom lines. Expert advice can guide your selection process, ensuring both management and operators are pleased.

Why Is This Guide Helpful?

There are numerous reasons for careful selection of industrial furnaces. The cost is a significant factor, but you must also consider the impact on the final product and your overall budget. Heat treating equipment involves more specialized engineering than what is visible externally.

This guide assists engineers in making informed equipment selections, balancing project needs, budgets, and long-term performance. Proper maintenance and the operational condition of the equipment are also critical considerations.

Backed by over 50 years of experience in manufacturing, sales, and maintenance, this guide offers actionable steps to ensure your selection satisfies both management and operators.

Step One: Quote Request

Management should be clear on product requirements which will guide the quote request. Make sure to provide details on:

• Heat treating processes
• Shape, dimensions, and weights of the product(s)
• Production volumes
• Heat treating hours and availability
• Part material
• Fuel type or electricity details
• Available voltage and installation space
• Special considerations for loading/unloading

Providing this information enables manufacturers to propose suitable equipment options, aligned with your production needs.

Avoid the trap of attempting to use one furnace for various processes or future production needs that may not be necessary. Doing so can lead to oversized, over-budget equipment.

Step Two: Supplier Selection

When choosing a supplier, ensure they have the technical capability and experience. Utilize references from previous installations with similar requirements.

Reliable suppliers should incorporate substantial research and development, informed by user feedback. An experienced manufacturer is crucial to guaranteeing initial equipment quality and functionality without needing design reworks.

Step Three: Study and Evaluation of Offers

Suppliers will invest time and resources in preparing offers. Don't rush to read the price first; a comprehensive review of the proposal can justify the costs based on production needs and specifications.

Pay attention to essential aspects such as dimensions, heating methods, load arrangements, and material selection.

For example, cast link belts may have a higher initial cost but offer longevity for heavy loads. Similarly, using higher-grade materials like chromium-nickel alloy can withstand higher temperatures, although they are more expensive.

Deterioration points, such as furnace doors, require careful consideration to avoid heat loss and high maintenance costs.

Clarify any doubts with the supplier in writing and compare offers objectively, taking supplier feedback into account.

Step Four: The Price

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Price differences between suppliers must be justified by the scope of their proposals. It’s important to determine whether a manufacturer views you as a potential satisfied long-term customer or merely as a source of economic gain.

Conclusion

There are numerous cases where equipment was poorly selected, causing issues like insufficient capacity or unforeseen requirements. It’s essential to assess all options, compare providers, and request detailed clarifications.

Selecting heat treating equipment is a decision that should not be rushed. By following these recommendations, you can ensure a choice that will yield the best results for your needs.

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About the Author:

Carlos Carrasco is the founder of Carrasco Hornos Industriales and a former president of ASM International, Mexico Chapter. With over 50 years' experience in the heat treat industry, he is an expert in furnace technologies.

For more information, contact Carlos at: contacto@carrasco.com.mx or visit www.furnacexpert.com