Abstract: An infrared die oven has a die cradle for holding a die. A thermocouple is positioned within the die cradle to maintain it in direct contact with the die. A controller connected to the thermocouple continually reads the temperature of the die. When the die reaches a threshold temperature, the intensity of an infrared heating elements in the oven is reduced. When the die reaches the desired temperature, the controller continuously adjusts the intensity of the heater to maintain the die at the desired temperature.

Abstract: An extrusion run-out table for aluminum extrusions and the like has an extrusion support table for supporting extruded profiles as they are extruded from an extrusion press along an extrusion path and a conveyor for moving the extruded shapes from the extrusion support table to a cooling area and to a further processing area. The extrusion support table includes a set of elongated heat-resistant bars mounted perpendicular to the extrusion path, with the bars extending laterally of the extrusion path into the cooling area a distance sufficient to position one or more of the extended shapes in laterally spaced relationship to the extrusion path. The extruded shapes are cooled through an air manifold above the extrusion path and through a series of air jet nozzles which project cooling air against the extruded shapes as they are extruded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating metal logs of a predetermined length in which the logs are cut into billets for an extrusion press. A furnace has an elongated heating chamber with an entrance opening and an exit opening. A pusher table is mounted adjacent the entrance opening of the furnace and a conveyor extends along the pusher table, through the entrance opening of the furnace, through the furnace heating chamber and through the exit opening thereof. A log dispenser is mounted adjacent the pusher table for dispensing logs seriatim onto the conveyor at the pusher table. An insert log has a length substantially less than the given length of the logs in the log train and is selectively positioned in the log train between the pusher and the lagging log in the log train to increase the effective length of the log train prior to adding a new log to the log train.