Nitriding and nitrocarburizing processes require specific equipment and controls functions to produce quality parts.  This presentation will discuss innovations in both equipment and control design to improve both processes.
 
Equipment design considerations, i.e. batch or continuous systems, horizontal or vertical loading, and single or multiple chambers will be discussed.  Criteria of selection relating to process, part type, part size, and quantity will be reviewed.
 
Advancements in furnace controls and process automation will be discussed.  Controls systems reviewed will include; probes, analyzers, manual measurement and continue to advanced computer based control systems to both calculate process requirement to achieve desired part character visits and provide closed loop control of the same process parameters.
 
The final part of the discussion will relate to auxiliary equipment used with nitriding processes and how it can be applied to reducing cost, improving productivity and reducing overall process time.  These include gas generation systems, heating/cooling systems and part pre and post treatments.