utilising a wire woven belt for each individual customer’s needs and process requirements. The integration of CAN-ENG’s “SOFT HANDLING” systems and part transition know-how have significantly reduced part nicking that would in most cases require re-threading of fasteners. In addition, fasteners are loaded externally to the austenitising and tempering furnaces. This reduces the empty gaps deposited on the belt for proper lot separation improving the operating efficiency of the system.

Increasing heating efficiency and reducing NOx levels Improvements in natural gas heating systems include

the integration of newly developed self-recuperated burners that provide similar heating efficiency to that of the high cost regenerative burners. Environmentally, these new regenerative burners when coupled with a newly designed radiant heating tube can reduce the NOx levels by 50% over that of conventional recuperative burners.

Waste heat recovery Further improvements in protective atmosphere consumption

and waste heat recovery has been a focus for CAN-ENG. Much like the natural gas it uses to heat furnaces CAN-ENG also utilises natural gas to manufacture the endothermic gas to protect the fasteners from decarburisation. Recently, CAN-ENG has developed and integrated its Energy Reduction System (ERS) to include an atmosphere reduction system, which reduces endothermic gas requirements by 40%, and a waste heat recovery system which reduces overall natural gas consumption by 15% compared to conventional systems.

Dephosphating enhancements CAN-ENG has improved upon the options available to fastener

manufacturers when dephosphating is required. This has been accomplished through the in-line integration of mesh belt dephosphating equipment with the heat treatment system. This new developed option eliminates the need for off-line rotary systems currently in use by most manufactures today.

Control system integration Developments in area of process controls has been a

significant area of improvement for CAN-ENG. The integration of a Level 2 SCADA systems into its manufacturing processes enables manufacturers to monitor, control and update in real time. Functions like basic time temperature data acquisition capabilities, off-site process monitoring and control, system diagnostics, inventory control, preventative maintenance and system efficiency tracking can be included in a SCADA system, resulting in significant gains in quality, inputs and outputs.

CAN-ENG’s continuous mesh belt furnace systems have

earned an international reputation for the following: • Continuous production which delivers superior part quality. • Specific design features to minimise possibility of foreign material. • Proven field reliability and maximum up-time performance. • Soft handling design features to minimise part damage. • Maximum fuel efficiency through innovative design and energy recuperation.

• Fully automated systems with complete SCADA capabilities. • Neutral and case hardening capabilities. • Standard production capabilities from 100kg/hr to 3,400kg/hr.

GLOBAL FURNACE SYSTEMS GROUP