Abstract: An apparatus (1) for increasing the temperature of elongate metallic rolled stock (2), having a heating unit (3) which comprises induction heating elements (4, 5, 6, 7; 104, 105, 106, 107) for heating the rolled stock (2) along a heating zone (8), and having a conveying device (15) which comprises driving and/or roller table roller elements (27, 28) as active or passive conveying elements (18) for moving the rolled stock (2) along the longitudinal extension (9) of the heating zone (8), wherein the induction heating elements (4, 5, 6, 7; 104, 105, 106, 107) are arranged spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal extension (9) of the heating zone (8) in each case by a free space (10, 11, 12), and wherein a sliding deflector element (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 73) and/or opposing lateral guide elements (60, 61) are arranged in each of the free spaces (10, 11, 12) in order to prevent the conveyed rolled stock (2) from coming into contact with the induction heating elements (4, 5, 6, 7; 104, 105, 106,

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a metal strip to be heat-treated, contained in a continuously operated heat treatment furnace and proceeding in an essentially horizontal direction and suspended position in a zone arranged between elements meant for supporting the metal strip when said metal strip is being cooled. The trajectory of the metal strip is measured by a measuring device, and on the basis of the obtained measurement results, the metal strip is subjected to a controlled cooling agent jet, so that the trajectory of the metal strip, at least in the zone located between the elements meant for supporting the metal strip, is made to proceed in between devices installed around the trajectory and meant for conveying the cooling agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for continuous annealing of a strip, capable of manufacturing a high-strength and highly ductile cold-rolled steel sheet having both excellent strength and ductility, and to a method for continuous annealing of a strip. The continuous annealing apparatus, according to the present invention, is capable of continuous annealing by cooling after heating, and then reheating, unlike an existing continuous annealing apparatus which heats only once and then cools or provides an overaging treatment. As a result, the continuous annealing apparatus, according to the present invention, can preliminarily render a homogeneous texture or control the texture as desired, and then perform another reheating heat treatment to stabilize the texture or control the shape thereof to a desired state.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for controlling the strip run (4) of a metal strip (10) through a floating furnace (3). The strip run (4) is controlled contact-free with the aid of an electromagnetic device (1) that generates a Lorentz force acting transversely to the strip run.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device having a bottom, side walls and a ceiling, which together define a channel, as well as transportation means, extending in an axial direction of said channel from an entry port of the channel to an exit port of said channel, for transferring a metallurgical material from said entry port to said exit port.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device having a bottom, side walls and a ceiling, which together define a channel, as well as transportation means, extending in an axial direction of said channel from an entry port of the channel to an exit port of said channel, for transferring a metallurgical material from said entry port to said exit port.

Abstract: The invention discloses a process and apparatus for micro-treating an iron-based alloy including heating and immediately quenching to room temperature to produce high tensile iron-based alloy with varying thicknesses. The process may or may not be practiced with or without tension, under various controllable tensions in order to create desirable effects. The micro-treated iron-based alloy contains desirable bainite to increase its formability and tensile strength. The varying thickness of the iron-based alloys is desirable for different applications, such as forming automobile panels.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing wire comprising: a wire delivering equipment, a wire winding equipment, and an annealing while running equipment installed between the wire delivering equipment and the wire winding equipment, the age-precipitation copper alloy wire being passed in such manner that the wire turns around a plurality of times along a running route in the annealing while running equipment. The current applying equipment to raise a temperature of the age-precipitation copper alloy wire by generated Joule heat may be installed at upstream side of the annealing while running equipment. Another current applying equipment for solution treatment may be installed in tandem at upstream side of the annealing while running equipment. In place of the annealing while running equipment, a current applying equipment may be connected in tandem for age-treatment. By using those equipments, age-precipitation copper alloy wire having the diameter of from 0.03 mm to 3 mm may be obtained.

Abstract: A device is described for heat-treating sheet metal strips (6), comprising at least one radiant tube unit (1) which has three tubes disposed in a common plane parallel to the sheet metal strip (6), namely a middle tube (2) that can be connected to a burner and two outer tubes (3) that are connected at both ends to the middle tube (2) by means of tube bends (4), and a bearing (8) on the side of the radiant tube unit (1) opposite the burner for a bearing journal (9) connected to the two tube bends (4) between the middle tube (2) on the one hand and the two outer tubes (3) on the other hand, the bearing journal engaging in a journal receptacle (10) of the bearing (8) in an axially displaceable manner. In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that an insert (16) forming a sliding layer (15) is provided in the support area of the bearing journal (9) between the journal receptacle (10) of the bearing (8) and the bearing journal (9).

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic annealing apparatus including a carrier conveyance region and a workpiece conveyance region. The carrier conveyance region includes: a first mounting table where a carrier is disposed; second mounting tables where carriers are disposed to convey workpieces from the carrier conveyance region to the workpiece conveyance region; a storage unit that stores carriers; and a carrier conveyance mechanism that performs carrying-out/carrying-in of the carriers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to increase the cooling rate of gas used in a batch annealing furnace of cold rolling mills under bypass cooling. The invention makes use of the higher heat transfer capacities of nanocoolants developed by a high-shear mixing of nanoparticles and stabilizers in a basic aqueous medium for cooling heated hydrogen flowing through a heat exchanger during bypass cooling of the batch annealing furnace. The nanofluid is prepared in a nanofluid preparation unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously treating metal strip of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, a nonferrous metal, or a nonferrous-metal alloy, has at least one heat-treatment device through which the metal strip passes in a strip-travel plane in a travel direction without contact from an upstream inlet end to a downstream outlet end and having a heating zone at the upstream end and a cooling zone formed by a row extending in the direction of at least two cooling subzones. A strip-centering device between the cooling subzones adjusts a position of the metal strip in the strip-travel plane and transverse thereto.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the continuous thermal treatment of metal continuously cast material having a heating section, the metal continuously cast material having a heating section, the metal continuously cast material is led over two contact rollers, wherein the first contact roller is arranged at a first end and the second contact roller is arranged at a second end of said heating section. Both contact rollers are connected to a voltage source in such a way that a current flows through the metal continuously cast material between the first and the second contact roller. Here, electrical contact is made with one of the contact rollers via a sliding contact element, which is in electrical contact with a slip-ring disk arranged concentrically with the axis of said contact roller. The sliding contact element is arranged on a current-carrying element using a plug-in connection which can be detached by pulling and which has at least one resilient and electrically conductive fixing element.

Abstract: A continuous gas carburizing furnace includes a gas carburizing processing chamber (a preheating chamber 2, a heating chamber 3, a carburizing chamber 4, a diffusion chamber 5 and a temperature decrease chamber 6) in which a gas carburizing process is performed on a workpiece 50, an oil quenching chamber 8 in which oil quenching is performed on the workpiece 50, and a gas quenching chamber 7 in which gas quenching is performed on the workpiece 50. The gas carburizing processing chamber includes a temperature decrease chamber 6 in which the temperature of the workpiece heated by a gas carburizing process is lowered. The temperature decrease chamber 6, the gas quenching chamber 7 and the oil quenching chamber 8 are arranged in that order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction of the workpiece 50, and are adjacent to each other.

Abstract: Device for heating metal material includes an elongated DFI burner arranged to be driven with gaseous oxidant and gaseous fuel and to be displaceable and longitudinally arranged with respect to the metal material. The burner includes longitudinal tubular vessels for fuel and for oxidant, arranged in parallel to one another and relative to the surface of the metal material. Each of these vessels has an opening through which the fuel and oxidant flow out and then converge in an ignition zone outside the respective vessels, where a flame is generated. Supply devices are arranged via a regulator to keep the pressure constant throughout the respective vessel during operation. Each of the vessels has a longitudinally displaceable piston for controlling the longitudinal extension of the flame in the longitudinal direction of the vessels.

Abstract: A temperature maintenance and/or possible heating apparatus for long products, continuously cast and sheared to size by means of shearing means so as to define segments of bloom, said apparatus being disposed between a casting machine having a first casting line and a second casting line, and a rolling line disposed downstream of the casting machine in order to make long rolled metal products. The apparatus comprises a first furnace, a second furnace and a transit tunnel. The first furnace is provided with a first introduction rollerway. The second furnace is disposed upstream with respect to said first furnace, provided with a second introduction rollerway. The transit tunnel is located aligned with said first casting line, adjacent and parallel to the longitudinal extension of the second furnace and upstream of said first furnace.

Abstract: A heat treatment or heat soak furnace for use in both galvannealing and galvanizing processes including a heating apparatus configured to supply heat and remove heat. The heating apparatus may draw hot air from the exhaust of a direct fire strip annealing furnace, gas burners or electric heat exchangers as necessary. The furnace also may include a plurality of cooling mechanisms in order to ensure heat is removed and the temperature within the furnace regulated. In addition, the furnace may include baffles configured to allow portions of the interior of the furnace to be separated into different temperature zones.

Abstract: Continuous annealing equipment contains: a heating zone, a soaking zone, and a rapid cooling zone, the rapid cooling zone having gas jet cooling equipment and is provided with at least one pair of seal rolls at each of an inlet and an outlet thereof and bridle roll units each composed of two or more bridle rolls in front of and behind itself; the bridle roll unit behind the rapid cooling zone having two or more heating rolls each having an induction heater thereinside; and the heating roll having a winding angle of 100° or more per heating roll and 380° or more in total of all the heating rolls.

Abstract: A steel production facility and a method of uninterrupted, or at least cyclical, steelmaking in the facility. In the case of uninterrupted steelmaking at least the first three of the following steps and in case of cyclical steelmaking all five steps are performed: charge materials are molten uninterruptedly or cyclically in an electric arc furnace; the charge materials (e.g.

Abstract: A method of annealing and descaling hot-rolled austenitic stainless steel strip wherein. The steel strip is descaled in a connected plasma descaling installation after annealing and subsequent cooling. The plasma descaling is carried out under vacuum in a plurality of stages, and the steel strip is subjected to a controlled cooling between these stages and after the final stage by means of cooling rolls so that the steel strip has a temperature below 100° C. when exiting the plasma descaling installation. An apparatus to practice the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heat treatment or heat soak furnace for use in both galvannealing and galvanizing processes including a heating apparatus configured to supply heat and remove heat. The heating apparatus may draw hot air from the exhaust of a direct fire strip annealing furnace, gas burners or electric heat exchangers as necessary. The furnace also may include a plurality of cooling mechanisms in order to ensure heat is removed and the temperature within the furnace regulated. In addition, the furnace may include baffles configured to allow portions of the interior of the furnace to be separated into different temperature zones.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermally treating a plurality of curved suture needles. The apparatus includes a conveyer for transferring the plurality of curved suture needles from a source of curved suture needles to a receiver, a housing positioned adjacent the conveyer, the housing having a first end, a second end, and an opening running from the first end to the second end, the opening aligned with the conveyer to enable the plurality of curved suture needles to pass therethrough, and a heat source located within the housing for heating the plurality of curved suture needles as the plurality of curved suture needles are transferred by the conveyer from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing. Also provided is a process for thermally treating a plurality of curved suture needles to enhance the stiffness and yield moment of the curved suture needles. The curved suture needles so treated have a desirable combination of stiffness, strength and ductility.

Abstract: A hearth roll apparatus for feeding a strip sheet in an annealing furnace is disclosed. The hearth roll apparatus includes a ceramic tube which is provided inside the annealing furnace to contactingly feed a strip sheet, a roll shaft which is coupled to a first end of the ceramic tube and extends across the annealing furnace through the ceramic tube, a tube fixing sleeve which is coupled to a second end of the ceramic tube and through which a portion of the roll shaft is inserted, and a tension generating unit which interlocks with the roll shaft and the tube fixing sleeve and supplies a tensile force for stretching the roll shaft in a longitudinal direction. Accordingly, thermal deformation like creep buy which the roll shaft is bent down is minimized, and a line speed of the strip sheet can be increased by high-speed rotation of the hearth roll.

Abstract: Equipment for metallic part hardening treatment comprising a support (10) and at least one working unit (50). The support is adapted to rotate the metallic part (20) during a hardening treatment. The working unit (50) comprises an inductor winding (51) to be positioned in front of a portion of said metallic part for heating said surface. According to the invention, the support (10) comprises one fixed spindle (11) to secure a first end (21) of the metallic part and one mobile tail stock (12) to contact a second end (22) of the metallic part. Therefore, only one end of the metallic part is secured whereas the other end is free to expand. The mechanical stresses applied to the metallic part during the hardening treatment are reduced and the distortion of the metallic part is prevented. Such equipment is well suited to crankshaft hardening treatment.

Abstract: A system and method for producing material characteristics are described. A magnetic treatment chamber with a high magnetic field treats workpieces; and a conveyor or transporter continuously moves the workpieces through the high magnetic field in the magnetic chamber. A frictional or mechanical engagement system extracts the workpieces through and out of the high magnetic field.

Abstract: An installation for producing hot-rolled strip from austenitic stainless steels; including a continuous casting machine and a rolling mill with a temperature adjustment system and a cooling system for cooling the rolling stock. The temperature adjustment system includes an installation having a furnace for preheating the cast slab to =1,150° C. and an installation for intensive heating including an inductive heating zone for adjustment of the run-in temperature of the cast slab into the finishing train of the rolling mill to above 1,150° C., for establishing a final rolling temperature to carry out the heat treatment by direct exploitation of the rolling heat. The cooling system includes a device for quenching the rolling stock to below 600° C. The temperature adjustment system includes only a first descaling system between the preheating installation and the intensive heating installation.

Abstract: An apparatus for rolling of a powder metallurgical metallic workpiece is provided having a feeding device, a first induction heating apparatus in operable communication with a first RF generator and at least a first hot rolling mill. A process control device monitors at least one parameter of the first RF generator and outputs a signal. A method for continuous rolling of a metallic workpiece is also provided using the apparatus for rolling. The process control device signal can be used to monitor metallurgical properties of the workpiece and provide in-line evaluation of the workpiece.

Abstract: Steel and pigment-grade TiO2 with up to 99.99% (TiO2+ZrO2) are produced continuously by direct smelting ilmenite or titaniferous magnetite concentrates at ultra-high temperature. Both oxidic and metal phases are independently force circulated in fully backmixed melt circulation reactors. Close proximity to thermodynamic equilibrium permits liquidus composition melts to be contained within reactors with protective linings of unmelted shells comprised of oxycarbide of the solidus composition. The unmelted shells are maintained above the critical temperature of the ductile to brittle fracture transition by supercritical steam generation, whilst the endothermic heat is supplied by electrical conductive heating. Smelting reduction with natural gas or carbon with low sulphur content, followed by in-line continuous vacuum refining makes available a continuous feed of refined melt for further in-line processing at somewhat lower temperatures using known emerging technologies for titanium metal production.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for continuously creating a bainite structure in a carbon steel, especially a strip steel. The method comprises the following steps: the carbon steel (1) is austenitized (3) at a temperature exceeding the austenitizing temperature; the austenitized carbon steel (1) is introduced into a bath (2) containing a quenching agent (21) in order to cool the carbon steel (1) to a temperature lying below the austenitizing temperature; the carbon steel (1) is adjusted to the transformation temperature for bainite and is maintained (13) at the transformation temperature for a certain period of time; and the carbon steel is then cooled (17).

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for continuously processing a long bar by heat treatment using induction heating. The method includes checking and preparing carbon steel and low-alloy steel material; feeding the prepared material into a continuous induction-heating quenching furnace, heating the material at a temperature of 860° C. to 900° C., spraying a cooling water on the heated material, and completely quenching the material; horizontally conveying the quenched material by an automatic conveyor unit; feeding the conveyed material into a continuous induction-heating tempering furnace, heating the material at a temperature of 550° C. to 690° C., and completely tempering the material; checking the tempered material and correcting a deformed part of the tempered material; and relieving stress from the corrected material and finally checking the material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a an arrangement and a method for heating metal objects such as metal bars by convection. The metal objects are passed on a conveyor through a series of chambers where hot air is blown through the conveyor. The temperature is controlled by a sensor connected to a control devise such as a thyristor.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus for powder, and a plasma processing method of powder, in which a powder supply nozzle is provided to supply a powder material into plasma flame generated inside a high-frequency coil, the powder supply nozzle arranged substantially radially centrally of the high-frequency coil comprises a revolving flow forming device, for example, a spiral-shaped plate, to cause a carrier gas and the powder material to form therein a revolving flow with an axis thereof directed axially of the high-frequency coil, and the revolving flow is discharged from an outlet at an end of the nozzle. More preferably, a transition space is provided between the outlet at the end of the nozzle and the revolving flow forming device, and the outlet at the end of the nozzle is made small in diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for induction heating of pieces or blanks (10) of electrically conducting and non-magnetic material, wherein a device creates a static magnetic field (3) and a second device is arranged to cause a relative movement (4) between the piece or blank (10) and the static magnetic field (3), so that current is induced (12) in the piece or blank (10) which thereby is being heated up.

Abstract: A plurality of gas turbine components or other articles are manufactured from a plurality of metallic-alloy workpieces using a manufacturing apparatus having a metalworking apparatus, and an annealing apparatus wherein the individual workpieces are annealed by single-workpiece annealing and not by large-batch annealing. A workpiece flow of the plurality of workpieces is established sequentially through the metalworking apparatus and the annealing apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for rolling of a powder metallurgical metallic workpiece is provided having a feeding device, a first induction heating apparatus in operable communication with a first RF generator and at least a first hot rolling mill. A process control device monitors at least one parameter of the first RF generator and outputs a signal. A method for continuous rolling of a metallic workpiece is also provided using the apparatus for rolling. The process control device signal can be used to monitor metallurgical properties of the workpiece and provide in-line evaluation of the workpiece.

Abstract: A thin metallic ferromagnetic alloy ribbon is annealed by continuously transporting it through an oven in order to induce specific magnetic characteristics and in order to remove a production-inherent longitudinal curvature of the ribbon. While the heat-treatment occurs, the ribbon is guided by a channel in a substantially straight annealing fixture. The channel is characterized by slight curvatures along portions of its length, in particular where the ribbon enters into the annealing oven. The curved channel provides an improved thermal contact between the ribbon and the heat reservoir. As a consequence the process can be conducted at particularly high annealing speeds without degrading the desired characteristics.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to develop a hot rolling unit, comprising at least one continuous casting unit (1) with a post-arranged furnace (4), followed by a roughing stand (5) and, over a strip edge guide, a soaking furnace (15) and finishing train, such that downtime is reduced to a minimum level and even during said downtime, as well as in planned cases of withdrawal of pre-strip material, the pre-strip (14), behind the roughing stand in the soaking furnace, can be separated off from the normal rolling cycle.

Abstract: A method for annealing and galvanizing wires which comprises induction heating the wires in a first chamber at a first higher temperature to anneal the wires, cooling the wires to a second lower temperature in a second chamber and galvanizing the wires in a third chamber. The chambers are in serial communication and the heating, cooling and galvanizing steps are effected in an oxygen free atmosphere.

Abstract: A process and a device for the pulsed plasma strengthening of a metallic component, in which the surface to be strengthened is not acted on in a merely punctiform manner and the roughness of the surfaces is not adversely effected, comprising the steps of: providing a metallic component (1, 8, 18), coating a surface section (7, 7′) of the metallic component (1, 8, 18) with a sublimable material (22), applying a pulsed plasma jet (20) to the surface section (7, 7′) in such a way that the material is sublimed and as a result a shock wave is introduced into the component (1, 8, 18) in order to form residual compressive stresses in a region which extends from the surface section (7, 7′) into the component (1, 8, 18).

Abstract: A thin metallic ferromagnetic alloy ribbon is annealed by continuously transporting it through an oven in order to induce specific magnetic characteristics and in order to remove a production-inherent longitudinal curvature of the ribbon. While the heat-treatment occurs, the ribbon is guided by a channel in a substantially straight annealing fixture. The channel is characterized by slight curvatures along portions of its length, in particular where the ribbon enters into the annealing oven. The curved channel provides an improved thermal contact between the ribbon and the heat reservoir. As a consequence the process can be conducted at particularly high annealing speeds without degrading the desired characteristics.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for casting, hot rolling and annealing of non-heat treatable aluminum alloys which comprises continuously casting, hot rolling and, in-line with the hot rolling line, heating the aluminum sheet using infrared heat. The infrared heating system uses a control to assure that the aluminum alloy is heated to the proper temperature based on one or a number of process variables, such as hot rolling exit temperature, hot rolled product exit rate in terms of speed and product dimensions, and sheet temperature at the exit of the infrared heater. Variations in the infrared heating temperature can be tolerated in the product without deviating from target mechanical properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the thermal tempering of at least parts of the cross section over the lengthwise extension of sequentially produced profiled rolling stock from the rolling heat.

Abstract: A pressure pad array is used to float glass sheets from a glass heating furnace to a ring mold in a press bending station. The pressure pads have transversely spaced, longitudinally-extending slotted nozzles angled towards one another to provide a static pressure area for floating the glass sheet. The slotted nozzles are aligned with the direction of glass sheet travel and the space between adjacent pressure pads is covered by a spacer baffle to generate additional static pressure flotation areas. The static pressure areas formed by the slotted nozzles generally produce uniform pressure profiles extending longitudinally and transversely against the sheet's underside to stably float the glass sheets on a heated gas cushion.

Abstract: A stainless steel band is continuously cast. The stainless steel band is descaled and cold rolled. The cold rolled band is annealed and descaled or bright annealed. The band is finish formed and finally coiled. The stainless steel band is not coiled after being continuously cast and before being finally coiled.

Abstract: A shielding apparatus for intercepting heat from a heating source disposed in a vertical continuous annealing furnace includes a double-walled tube having an outside atmosphere suction port projected horizontally or downward to be exposed to an outside atmosphere, and an exhaust port projected upward to be exposed to the outside atmosphere.

Abstract: A shielding apparatus for intercepting heat from a heating source disposed in a vertical continuous annealing furnace includes a double-walled tube having an outside atmosphere suction port projected horizontally or downward to be exposed to an outside atmosphere, and an exhaust port projected upward to be exposed to the outside atmosphere.

Abstract: A steel rolling mill including a Steckel mill is provided with an in-line upstream quench station located downstream of the caster and upstream of the reheat furnace, a shear located downstream of the Steckel mill, and a temperature reduction station downstream of the shear. The upstream quench station has spray nozzles that quench a surface layer of the steel to transform same from an austentitic to a non-austentitic microstructure. The shear provides a precise transverse vertical face on the leading end of the steel. The temperature reduction station applies cooling fluid to the rolled steel so as to obtain a preferred microstructure that may be either bainite or martensite. If bainite, the temperature reduction station includes laminar-flow cooling apparatus; if martensite, the station also includes an initial rapid quench, in which latter case the station is followed by a tempering furnace.

Abstract: In a method for producing fine wire, a wire blank is transformed by a heat treatment process into a drawable state, the wire blank is drawn to a drawn wire, and, subsequently, the drawn wire is subjected, to a hardening and tempering process in order to obtain predetermined mechanical properties by passing the drawn wire through at least one of a furnace device and a cooling device having previously already been employed for performing the heat treatment process. The furnace device has a furnace chamber, receiving at least one wire portion, with a heat distribution block arranged in the area where the wire portion is received. The heat distribution block is designed to uniformly heat the wire portion. The cooling device has a fluidized chamber containing a flowable material. A fluid introduction arrangement is provided to introduce a fluidizing fluid into the fluidized chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for guiding bands in a suspended manner and for stabilizing bands, preferably wide metal bands, for the purpose of heat treating the same. In the device, the band is blown on both sides with the aid of suspended nozzle sections, and two respective radial ventilators with 360° spiral casings are arranged on the side walls of the device in the vicinity of both sides of the band. The intake openings of the radial ventilators point toward the middle of the device. The axes of the radial ventilators are vertical in relation to the side walls, and the radial ventilators are arranged in such a way that they deliver air into air delivery channels (6) of the length of at least one hydraulic diameter in a manner parallel to the longitudinal direction of the device, that is, in a direction of movement of the band. The air delivery channels (6) are adjacent to the upper casing (8) or the lower casing of the device via a side wall.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus includes rollers that slide and move an image recording sheet on the surface of a heating member while pressing at least a portion of the sheet against the surface of the heating member. The temperature of a dummy unit, provided at a position adjacent to the rollers, is measured by a temperature sensor. The measured temperature has a relationship with a change in the temperature of the rollers. Temperature control is performed based on the measured temperature in order to adjust the temperature of the rollers. A cushion disposed on a surface of the heating member is arranged to moderate the pressure which is exerted by the rollers on the sheet. A pulling mechanism provides a tension to the cushion, which is detachable from the heating member.