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Article: Using programmable automation controllers to simplify heat treating: programmable automation controllers in heat treating operations offer a solution to the complex furnace operation challenges modern heat treaters face. PACs offer improvements in furnace control, furnace safety, and information management.(Process Control/Instrumentation)
- Article from:
- Industrial Heating
- Article date:
- May 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 BNP Media. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Heat treating furnaces have historically been controlled by what can appear to be complex collections of flame safety relays, single-loop temperature controllers, high-temperature limit relays, and paper-chart recorders.
You may have to deal with systems like this every day: "cabinets of shame" that over time have had components replaced and have been cobbled back together, wiring that seems to go to nowhere, or systems composed of unsupported equipment that can't be replaced. These are the furnaces that experience the occasional random trip, always seeming to occur at the least opportune time. You may have to re-run or scrap entire batches because your furnace ...