F. Marquis, SAET, Leini (TO), Italy
With a projection showing a need for more than 75000 MW to be installed by 2010, wind energy is for many heat treat solution suppliers more than just a side business helping to balanced automotive business slowdown.
However, the heat treat solutions used in Europe and US are very different. Strong use of carburizing furnace in US when European, Korean and Japanese customers have devoted their time in developing induction hardening solution.
This presentation offers a general outlook on the market, available processes and detail the most recent solutions coming from Europe to harden such large components. The main advantages of induction apply also for these large components. Fast, reliable and repetitive the induction process is a good candidate. However, need for high speed solution requires to increase the scanning speed used when scanning a raceway or a tooth. Furthermore, and despite a very localized heating, distortion problem should be addresses. To solve all those constraints induction manufacturers have been forced to defined several solution ranging from the simplest scanning system to the seamless hardening unit without forgetting the high power single shot solution used in the large gear hardening process. Prior machine design, process analysis is also needed with a need for simulations tools helping to define the proper coil design but also to predict the temperature gradient needed for such specific process.
We inspect in our presentation all aspects regarding machines, process and simulation.
Summary: With a projection showing a need for more than 75000 MW to be installed by 2010, wind energy is for many heat treat solution suppliers more than just a side business helping to balanced automotive business slowdown.
However, the heat treat solutions used in Europe and US are very different. Strong use of carburizing furnace in US when European, Korean and Japanese customers have devoted their time in developping induction hardening solution.
This presentation offers a general outlook on the market, available processes and detail the most recent solutions coming from Europe to harden such large components.
