FEATURE ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | MARCH 2024 43 More can be done for this in this situation from an Industry 4.0 perspective. The terminal temperature value can be continuously communicated (connectivity) to an acquisition system that gathers, processes, and analyzes system conditions in real time (Big Data). This is timely information for maintenance, and it is predictive, meaning you have critical information before something goes wrong (predictive maintenance). Production shutdowns are avoided completely, and batches are consistent and run their full cycle, without interruption (Fig. 3). Ongoing trend analysis of terminal temperatures will automatically identify anomalies in power cable temperatures, and maintenance can be done before a problem. By connecting the power controller to the control system, transmitting temperature values, and automating the analysis, the danger is eliminated. This kind of programming is very precise, and it helps heat treaters avoid painful production headaches. CONCLUSION Industry 4.0 is here to stay, and to remain competitive heat treaters must take steps toward adopting this technology, especially the predictive maintenance capabilities. Small, incremental actions can have big impacts. Start by planning, setting goals, hiring the right people, and evaluating existing technology for a baseline understanding of where the company stands today, and how to implement predictive maintenance. ~HTPro For more information: Paolo Buzzi, Controllers and Power Controllers Marketing Manager, Gefran, +39.030.9888.1, paolo.buzzi@gefran.com, gefran.com. Acknowledgments This article was adapted from an article published in the Heat Treat 2023 Proceedings of the 32nd ASM Heat Treating Society Conference and is available in the ASM Digital Library here: doi.org/10.31399/asm.cp. ht2023p0043. 11 Fig. 3 — Monitoring the temperature trend identifies issues before they happen so predictive maintenance can occur. ORDER TODAY! Visit asminternational.org or call 800.336.5152. This book describes the basic principles of heat treating technology in clear, concise, and practical terms for students, emerging professionals, production personnel, and manufacturing or design engineers. It is an excellent resource and introductory guide on the practical “whys and wherefores” of heat treatment, including tips and useful look-up information. With in-depth and comprehensive coverage, it details many practical implications of heat treatment in terms of material and process selection and structure and property development, with insights on doing it right or more reliably. asminternational.org FORMATS: Print: $240 / ASM Member: $180 ISBN: 978-1-62708-324-9 ASM Digital Library: $79 / ASM Member: $62 EISBN: 978-1-62708-326-3 ASM Digital Library price is for one-year single user access. Product Code: 05931G Pages: 404 PRACTICAL HEAT TREATING: BASIC PRINCIPLES BY JON L. DOSSETT
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