Abstract: An automated heat treatment controller consistently controls heat treating a metallic target in a furnace according to a heat treatment recipe including a cycle temperature and a cycle exposure time. The automated heat treatment controller includes an operator interface for prompting an operator to load or remove a heat treated target. The controller further provides for commanding furnace door locks and for monitoring system performance. An automated heat treatment furnace method includes the steps of pre-heating the furnace, prompting the user to load the material, reheating the furnace to heat treatment parameters, controlling the exposure time and temperature, and prompting the removal of the material.