Authors:
Paulina Kus (Air Products PLC, United Kingdom),
Guido Plicht (Air Products GmbH, Germany),
Thomas Lee (Air Products PLC, United Kingdom),
Jannis Meining (K2 Digital Transformation GmbH, Germany),
Eduardo Garcia (K2 Digital Transformation GmbH, Germany),
Lisa Kroschwald (Bleistahl GmbH & Co KG, Germany),
Simon Husmann (Bleistahl GmbH & Co KG, Germany),
Geoff Fitsall (Air Products PLC, United Kingdom)
Abstract:
Continuous sintering of metal parts under a Nitrogen|Hydrogen atmosphere is one of the most complicated heat treatment processes. Although the industry has established standard processing methods, the technical challenges still remain to minimize part defects, rework, and the excessive use of energy.Sustainability is one of our social responsibilities, requiring continuous improvement to engineer technologies and processes to reduce waste and emissions, and minimize our use of resources.Air Products, Bleistahl and K2 have partnered to develop a cloud-based optimization system dedicated to sintering. This Industry 4.0 tool enables recording and analysis of the process parameters, linked to operational results, facilitating process optimization and product quality improvement. Integrated with thermodynamic calculations, field experience, and documentation features, the tool provides process engineers with extended capabilities to manage the production, and support process troubleshooting, audits, and CQI-9 compliance.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59499/WP225370656