Abstract: An automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system including an oxy-fuel torch, an automated machine tool operatively coupled to the torch for moving the torch relative to a work piece, and a circuit including a voltage source or a current electrically connected to the torch and configured to be electrically connected to the work piece. The automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system may further include a processor that is operatively connected to the torch, the automated machine tool, the circuit, and the voltage source or current source, wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the torch, the automated machine tool and the voltage source or current source, and to monitor a current or voltage in the circuit in a predefined manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nozzle (1) for cutting steel workpieces and workpieces made of iron alloys, comprising a nozzle body (2), wherein the nozzle body (2) has two cutting-oxygen bores (5, 5a), which extend from an inlet side (6) of the nozzle body (2) to an outlet side (8) of the nozzle body (2) in order to form two cutting jets (10, 10a). The double cutting flame cuts the steel more strongly in the so-called groove trail. The cut is thus more effective. This permits an increased cutting speed, which in turn causes a reduction in the heating-gas consumption.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for detecting the wear of a cutting nozzle on a cutting torch for cutting steel workpieces, in particular slabs, blooms and slugs. A branch line exits to the cutting torch in the feed line of the heating gas connection, into which branch line a neutral medium with a set pressure is blown through the cutting nozzle after closing the medium valves for heating gas, cutting oxygen and heating oxygen. To do so, said process is carried out once when installing a new cutting nozzle for the calibration thereof. Said process is performed again at set intervals, depending on the usage of the cutting nozzle, in order to determine and to store in memory the wear condition of the cutting nozzle and to generate an optical and/or acoustic signal in case a predetermined maximum admissible deviation amount of the medium blown in has been exceeded.

Abstract: Surface 27 of molten metal within a mold is constantly monitored by camera 25. Camera 25 records the surface from an obliquely upward position of the mold in an area that does not affect the casting process. Various analyzing frames such as analysis band 35, molten metal pattern 37, and injection monitoring part 43, are set with respect to the information recorded by the camera 25. The analysis band 35 includes the surface (molten metal part 31c), and is set to a predetermined width so that the direction of surface change is in the longitudinal direction. The width of the analysis band 35 is set as wide as possible in a range that does not block the discharge part (molten metal part 31a). Inside the analysis band 35, the rate of change of the binary data is calculated by the analyzing part.

Abstract: In a method and means for oxygen cutting of cast strands and steel workpieces or downstream of continuous casting plants, by means of a membrane (9) controlled pressure measuring and regulating valve (1) with pressure and flow converters (16, 17, 18) on the basis of predetermined reference values, supply of a cutting nozzle of a cutting torch with heating gas and heating oxygen for generation of an optimum cutting flame is electrically and/or electronically adjusted, readjusted or shut down and/or predetermined maximum deviations from the reference values are recognized, indicated and used for signalling or cutting torch shutdown. A time-consuming regulation of the cutting flame of the cutting torch is avoided as a result penitent variable delivery of heating gas and heating oxygen to the cutting torch.

Abstract: A camera is arranged to map defects in the molten metal bath formed by scarfing using a scarfing torch on a steel slap. The camera has a field of a large area of the slab and records the defects as flashes of high intensity light the nature of which identifies the type of defect.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a system for predicting precipitation kinetics in precipitation-hardenable alloys, such as the 7000 series aluminum alloys, and for optimizing conditions for thermal treatment thereof. The method includes the steps of measuring a real-time temperature of an alloy component during the thermal treatment process, and using a signal in dependence upon the real-time temperature to predict, using executable code, a current state of the alloy component. The executable code includes a series of rate equations and initial parameters for a particular alloy. Optionally, the initial parameters for the particular alloy are provided after the code is in execution. The thermal treatment process is terminated when a predetermined state of the alloy component is predicted.

Abstract: Heating metal articles by direct surface impingement of an oxy-fuel flame without causing damage, or surface melting of the articles being heated. Flame contact is cycled to achieve maximum allowable rate of heat introduction thereby substantially reducing the time and energy required to achieve the final desired piece temperature.