Abstract: An apparatus (150) for controlling a sintering process in a sintering furnace (100), includes a preheating zone (120) and a high heat zone (130), further comprising at least two measuring devices (151, 152, 153, 154), wherein the at least two measuring devices comprise at least one measuring device in the preheating zone (120) and at least one measuring device in the high heat zone (130) for analyzing a furnace atmosphere at the respective zone, and adjusting means (155, 156) for adjusting a composition of the furnace atmosphere based on measurement values acquired by the at least two measuring devices (151, 152, 153, 154) in the respective zones (110, 120, 130, 140).

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an object includes a first assembly including a laser for laser-based additive manufacturing of a powder material for forming the object, and a second assembly coacting with the first assembly for cooling at least a portion of said object during said additive manufacturing. An apparatus for manufacturing an object may also include a first assembly including a laser for laser-based ablation of a material structure for forming the object, and a second assembly coacting with the first assembly for cooling at least a portion of said material structure during said ablation manufacturing. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for eliminating zinc staining during heat treatment of metals in a furnace having at least one furnace zone by providing a slightly oxidizing atmosphere in the at least one furnace zone. The methods and apparatus can be used, for example, for annealing metal alloys that contain zinc, wherein the occurrence of zinc evaporation is reduced or eliminated by the slightly oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: A control system for heat treatment of a stainless steel part in a furnace having an internal heat treatment chamber with a treatment atmosphere therein arranged in a plurality of zones, the system including at least one analysis apparatus for each one of the plurality of zones, each analysis apparatus in communication with a respective one of the zones for providing a gas to said zone, analyzing an atmosphere of said zone, and sensing a temperature of said zone for determining commencement of nitriding in the treatment atmosphere. A related furnace is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for coating a metal product wherein a molten coating is applied to a surface of said metal product and wherein part of said molten coating is wiped off said metal product by an air flow and a nitrogen gas flow.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for spraying a cryogenic fluid (2) to a work piece (1) which includes a cryogen feed line (3), at least one delivery nozzle (4) for delivering the cryogenic fluid (2), a shroud (6) which surrounds at least part of said delivery nozzle (4) and which has a front face with an opening which is directed to the workpiece. The shroud (6) and the work piece (1) are movable relative to each other between a working configuration and a maintenance configuration, In the maintenance configuration the shroud (6) comprises a barrier which prevents or minimizes ambient air from entering the shroud (6).

Abstract: A heat treatment furnace is provided which includes a gas generator with a methanol inlet connected to a methanol feed line and at least one gas outlet for dissociated methanol, wherein said gas generator is disposed to be in heat exchange contact with a cooling zone and a heating zone of the furnace.

Abstract: A device (1) for a controlled discharge of a main fluid includes at least one net (11) for a main fluid and at least one outlet (15) for the main fluid, the at least one outlet for the main fluid can be blocked by a movable block (16) operable to alternate between a first and a second position such that the second position closes the at least one outlet for the main fluid. The device further includes at least one net (12) for a drive fluid supply through the at least one net to move the movable block from the first position towards the second position. A method of operating the main fluid's discharge from the passageway includes supplying the drive fluid to press the movable block towards the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method provided for spraying a coolant to a work piece include a coolant feed line, at least one delivery nozzle for delivering the coolant, and shielding means which surround at least part of said delivery nozzle. The shielding means are arranged with the work piece to form an essentially closed space, and said shielding means includes exhausting means for exhausting gas from the essentially closed space, and means for keeping the outside of the shielding means at a temperature above the dew point.

Abstract: A pipeline apparatus for liquid cryogen includes a first assembly consisting of a first pipe having a first exterior surface and a first passageway for liquid cryogen, and a longitudinal member extending along a portion of the first exterior surface of the first pipe; a second pipe having a second passageway sized and shaped to receive the first assembly therein, the second pipe coacting with the longitudinal member to provide a pair of channels in the second passageway; and a third pipe having a third passageway sized and shaped to receive the second pipe therein, the third pipe spaced apart from the second pipe.

Abstract: A pipeline apparatus for liquid cryogen includes a first assembly consisting of a first pipe having a first exterior surface and a first passageway for liquid cryogen, and a longitudinal member extending along a portion of the first exterior surface of the first pipe; a second pipe having a second passageway sized and shaped to receive the first assembly therein, the second pipe coacting with the longitudinal member to provide a pair of channels in the second passageway; and a third pipe having a third passageway sized and shaped to receive the second pipe therein, the third pipe spaced apart from the second pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method provided for spraying a coolant to a work piece include a coolant feed line, at least one delivery nozzle for delivering the coolant, and shielding means which surround at least part of said delivery nozzle. The shielding means are arranged with the work piece to form an essentially closed space, and said shielding means includes exhausting means for exhausting gas from the essentially closed space, and means for keeping the outside of the shielding means at a temperature above the dew point.

Abstract: A heat treatment furnace is provided which includes a gas generator with a methanol inlet connected to a methanol feed line and at least one gas outlet for dissociated methanol, wherein said gas generator is disposed to be in heat exchange contact with a cooling zone and a heating zone of the furnace.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for coating a metal product wherein a molten coating is applied to a surface of said metal product and wherein part of said molten coating is wiped off said metal product by an air flow and a nitrogen gas flow.