Flame Hardening: The Only Suitable Hardening Process for Some Large Unique Components for Large Scale Engineering Projects
08 February 2017The flame hardening process functions as an exceptional surface hardening solution. Its gas-generated flame hardens selected areas on command, then switches tact to heat treat large surface areas, no matter how eccentric the part’s geometry becomes. Let’s indulge in a little discrete analyzing, a look into flame hardening and the method’s gift for processing large and uniquely profiled parts.
Large-Scale Processing Suitability
An accelerated workflow is a prominent feature here, an upshot of the flame hardening method that assures wholesale depth-hardening, even when the workpiece surface is massive. In order to achieve the faster process times, a sweeping (scanning) flame head is used. It moves across sizable surface areas to assure full surface transformation. The shape of the flame head, the gas used, and the ability to focus the heat all contribute to this large-scale heat treatment faculty, with some uniquely innovative mechanical assets supplementing the mobility of the tooling assembly.
Utilitarian Workflow Benefits
Due to the streamlined tooling set-up, the equipment sports an optimized frame, a configuration that’s more cost-effective than some of the comparable hardening techniques we’ve mentioned so far. The versatile flame head adapts to complement the project, which means it opens up and scans to process massive parts, but that workflow is adaptable. Focusing adaptability sharpens the gaseous output and targets that fiery edge so that it can process gear teeth and other fatigue susceptible components until they’re fully surface-crystallized and rated as a toughened martensitic grain.
Transforms Eccentric Profiles
We’ve compared flame hardening methodologies to induction techniques with good reason. Essentially, they both use currents of energy to transform (harden) the surface of an alloy. But induction technology, as beneficial as the method undoubtedly is, relies on magnetic effects. Flame hardening, on the other hand, uses currents of pure thermal energy, burning gasses that precisely target gear teeth and other finely detailed work parts. As a result, the focused fire penetrates bore holes and all kinds of complex geometrical outlines predictably, without ever causing an engineer to worry about some hard-to-predict electromagnetic parameter.
If the reassuring presence of a controllable flame isn’t enough to determine this heat treatment method as an upper-echelon hardening solution, take note of the other benefits that accompany the process. Tooling requirements are straightforward, so costs are lower than a comparable induction set-up. Partner this shorter system tooling period with faster parts processing times and an ability to adapt to large-scale or focused processing and, well, the flame hardening method can be considered the equal of any induction hardening solution.
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