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: A method for heating a shaped component (2) for a subsequent press hardening operation is described, wherein the shaped component (2) is firstly heated to a predefined temperature and subsequently regionally heated to a higher temperature by means of heating elements (7), which are drivable independently of one another, of a heating element panel (10). In order to ensure an advantageous temperature profile, it is proposed that the shaped component (2) be heated during its conveyance through the heating element panel (10) with the aid of the heating elements (7), which are arranged with respect to the conveyance direction (3) in longitudinal and transverse rows (8 and 9) and are drivable at least in groups using differing heating power.

Abstract: A device is described for heat-treating sheet metal strips (6) having at least one radiator pipe unit (1), which has three pipes located in a common axial plane parallel to the sheet-metal strip (6), namely one middle pipe (2) attachable to a burner and two outer pipes (3) connected at both ends to the middle pipe (2) via pipe elbows (4), and having a bearing pin (9), connected to the two pipe elbows (4) between the middle pipe (2) on one side and the two outer pipes (3) on the other side, on the side of the radiator pipe unit opposite to the burner. To be able to take the occurring thermal expansions in the area of the pipe elbows (4) into consideration, it is proposed that the bearing pin (9) be arranged on a bridge (10), which bridges a gusset (11) between the two pipe elbows (4), having two sections (12) which extend on both sides of the axis of the middle pipe (2) and are inclined at an acute angle to the axis of the middle pipe (2).

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: A method is described for heating lightweight metal ingots (1), with the lightweight metal ingots (1) being heated in a furnace (2) by hot burner exhaust gases. In order to provide advantageous heating conditions it is proposed that the lightweight metal ingots (1), prior to their heating in the furnace (2), are preheated via at least one preheating apparatus (9) which rests in a planar manner thereon and is supplied by a fluid heat carrier which is heated in heat exchange by the hot exhaust gases from the furnace (2) and is guided in a circuit (7).