Heat treating often requires changing the surface chemistry of the part from carburizing or Nitriding. In addition it is important to remove residual quench oil from parts after quenching. Discussion of various cleaner chemistries will be discussed, with application to heat treating. Case histories will be shown showing the effect of improper cleaning has on parts.

Making money in heat treating is becoming increasingly challenging. The ongoing economic crisis has significantly impacted the industry. However, understanding the true dynamic capacity of partially idled equipment and maximizing even the smallest capabilities can optimize the cost-to-earnings ratio. While computer systems are widely used to plan workflows, they often lack the necessary knowledge to effectively break down shop orders into actual loads. This article provides an overview of the existing planning layers and the various methods employed. It explains how strategic planning around bottlenecks can optimize throughput while minimizing equipment usage, thereby conserving resources.

Flame Treating was founded in 1940 by three Union Carbide employees to provide flame hardening services to the machine tool and capital equipment industry in the Connecticut River Valley. The market generally ran from Bridgeport to Providence and from New Haven to Springfield, VT with occasional opportunities in Worcester and the North Shore of Massachusetts. In 1956 the company purchased the first of its induction machines and expanded the services to induction hardening.