Components of the Automated Parallel Chain System

Furnaces
These conveyor systems are adapted to service a dedicated process such as hardening cutting tools. The furnaces that are served are specialized salt beths with internal electrodes for heating. A heating process consists of a 1500ºF two station preheat, and a 2200ºF hiheat furnace
Quench System
Quenching occurs at 900ºF in a two station salt bath
Washers
Washers are often necessary to finish the heat treat process. Fluidtherm’s washers utilize heat, agitation and the conveyor to optimize the cleaning system.
Transfer Mechanism
The automatic mechanism consists of an integrated set of parallel operating roller chains fitted with special pickup attachments. These attachments mate with a carrier bar that will be set up to hold work fixtures. The entire system is supported on a rigid structural steel frame and runs on sprocket and bearing assemblies. There will be at least four specialized conveyor sets that form an integrated system. Transfer conveyors will handle the carrier bars vertically and process conveyors will ususlly handle carrier bars horizontally. Rotary transfers are another speciallized conveyor set that will pick up carrier bars at the furnace location and smoothly but quickly move the bars from furnace to furnace. The purpose ot this system is to make the pick up and set down gently, preventing distortion and loss of parts. These conveyors are driven with electric gear motor units that are speed and acceleration controlled with state of the art frequency changing motor controls. Electric controls are universally accepatble Allen Bradley or Square D. The process is under control of a microprocessor programmable controller working in conjunction with limit switches and pilot devices.

We can negotiate providing a controller that is mutually accepatable to supplier and customer. The result is a system that will operate for years with minimum care. These systems are custom engineered for your particular application.