Abstract: A method and apparatus (5) for simulating and analyzing industrial thermal processes, including industrial heat-treatment, processes, melting, solidification, quenching and the like, used in the manufacture of metals, alloys and metal matrix composite components. The apparatus (5) includes an optional environmental chamber (10) used for situations where testing room conditions are too hot or too cold and would thus interfere with operation of the apparatus (5) without such chamber (10). The apparatus (5) includes a multifunctional excitation coil (40) that serves the function of the omitted environmental chamber (10). The apparatus (5) also includes one or more high frequency resonant inverters (15) and a cooling means (20). The apparatus (5) integrates melting and thermal processing capabilities with a thermal analyzer and a control system.