Abstract: A method and an apparatus for Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) of a welded aluminium alloy component and a welded aluminium alloy component treated according to the method. The welded component has initially heat affected zones with reduced load bearing capacity. The method provides that the heat affected zones are located, applying a heat source at least at one first location of said heat affected zones, where the heat source generates a temperature above Tmin, and where the heat source can be kept at said location for at least a period tmin. The apparatus contains a heat source relatively movable with regard to the component, and further being able to be positioned on defined positions thereof, the heat source further being controllable with regard to temperature and resting time that influence the heat transferred to the component at said local position.

Abstract: A method for optimisation of product properties and production costs of industrial processes where a product is manufactured in several operations, Including the following steps: —establishing process chain models (1-m) for each process (1-n), altogether (m×n) models for the calculation of product properties and product production costs, —defining model inputs and outputs related to each of the (m×n) models for physical, chemical or biological parameters and costs of the product, —defining limitations or minimum requirements related to each of the (m×n) models of product properties or process capacity or ability, —providing an optimizing tool linked to the input and output steps and model limitations performing iterations and flow of data between said steps to optimize the product based on customer requirements.

Abstract: A method for optimisation of product properties and production costs of industrial processes where a product is manufactured in several operations, Including the following steps:—establishing process chain models (1?m) for each process (1?n), altogether (m×n) models for the calculation of product properties and product production costs, —defining model inputs and outputs related to each of the (m×n) models for physical, chemical or biological parameters and costs of the product,—defining limitations or minimum requirements related to each of the (m×n) models of product properties or process capacity or ability,—providing an optimizing tool linked to the input and output steps and model limitations performing iterations and flow of data between said steps to optimize the product based on customer requirements.

Abstract: A method is provided of determining a heat treatment to apply to a structural member so as to modify the deformation behavior of the structural member when subjected to an applied stress. The method includes first simulating the deformation behavior of the structural member when subjected to the applied stress. The effect of at least one heat treatment upon a part of the structural member is then simulated so as to determine a heat treatment to apply to the part of the structural member so as to produce a modified deformation behavior.

Abstract: The method of distorting a workpiece (8) includes selecting a desired configuration of the workpiece; determining distortions (14) to be applied to at least two regions of the workpiece to cause the workpiece to adopt the desired configuration; and using the determined distortions in accordance with predetermined information (12,13) relating heat treatments of the workpiece to resultant distortions, to obtain or generate heat control data (15) defining heat treatments to be applied to corresponding regions of the workpiece, which will cause the determined distortions in the workpiece (8). The heat control data and the determined distortions are related by the equation AX=B, where B is a vector describing the determined distortions according to the heat treatments, X is a vector representing the heat control data and A is a matrix of elements representing the predetermined information.

Abstract: The method of distorting a workpiece (8) comprises selecting a desired configuration of the workpiece; determining distortions (14) to be applied to at least two regions of the workpiece to cause the workpiece to adopt the desired configuration; and using the determined distortions in accordance with predetermined information (12, 13) relating heat treatments of the workpiece to resultant distortions, to obtain or generate heat control data (15) defining heat treatments to be applied to corresponding regions of the workpiece, which will cause the determined distortions in the workpiece (8). The heat control data and the determined distortions are related by the equation AX=B, where B is a vector describing the determined distortions according to the heat treatments, X is a vector representing the heat control data and A is a matrix of elements representing the predetermined information.