ADVANCED MICROPROCESSOR-BASED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR SINGLE-CHAMBER VACUUM CARBURIZER IMPROVES QUALITY OF AEROSPACE PARTS.

As a major manufacturer of critical-tolerance aerospace components, Purdy Corp. , Manchester, Conn. , must maintain worldwide logistical support with spare parts for applications requiring highest quality and performance characteristics. The required control of new batch type vacuum carburizing furnaces competitively was accomplished by installation of a special, self-contained control system (Datavac vacuum furnace controller made by Surface Combustion). It provides complete control of temperature, vacuum level and cooling. Manufactured are varied components such as bevel and pinion gears, outer shafts used in transmissions, and rotary-head spindle assemblies used in helicopters. The Surface single-chamber carburizing vacuum furnace is described. Typical materials hardened or carburized are: (AISI) 9310, 8620, 6230.