Automatic hardening machine

Overview
CaseMaster Evolution is a double- or triple-chamber vacuum furnace engineered for low-pressure carburizing (LPC), low-pressure carbonitriding (LPCN) and for integral oil quench (OQ) or high-pressure gas quench (HPGQ). It enables semi-continuous case hardening and through-hardening across small, medium and high-volume production, providing an alternative to atmospheric sealed-quench furnaces, continuous lines and large multi-chamber systems.

Design & Purpose
Designed specifically for LPC and integral quenching processes, the furnace operates under controlled vacuum to ensure high surface cleanliness, repeatable results and process stability. Construction and materials are selected to withstand carburizing and quenching cycles while minimizing contamination.

Applications

• Low-pressure carburizing (LPC) and low-pressure carbonitriding (LPCN)
• Integral oil quench (OQ) and high-pressure gas quench (HPGQ)
• Case hardening and through hardening for small, medium and high-volume production
• Additional heat-treatment tasks such as annealing and brazing

Industry Focus
Suitable for sectors including aerospace, automotive, machine-building, bearings and commercial heat-treatment where sealed quenching and high-quality case hardening are required.

Advantages of LPC with CaseMaster Evolution

• Improved process efficiency and lower energy consumption compared with atmospheric carburizing
• Full automation capability for high repeatability
• Excellent surface quality and carburizing uniformity on complex geometries and tightly packed loads
• Elimination of intergranular oxidation and reduced contamination risk
• Lower process gas consumption and reduced operating costs
• Safer operation due to sealed vacuum environment and closed handling of process gases

Process phenomena and carburizing gases
LPC uses oxygen-free hydrocarbons (commonly acetylene) as carbon carriers. Acetylene provides high carbon content and thermal stability, decomposing cleanly under vacuum for efficient carbon transfer. Carbon is delivered in controlled pulses (boost and diffusion) to avoid surface saturation and soot formation.

Operation, parameters and limitations

• Vacuum operation: sealed steel chambers achieving pressures around 10⁻¹ hPa
• Heating chamber materials: typically graphite-based components suitable for temperatures above 1200°C
• Typical carburizing temperatures: up to ~980°C for standard steels; up to ~1050°C for selected micro-alloyed steels with appropriate measures to limit grain growth
• Pulse gas feeding (boost + diffusion) controls carbon uptake; gas flow and pulse parameters affect uniformity and penetration
• No minimum carburizing surface area required; practical constraints relate to load space, mass and uniformity

Maintenance
Key maintenance items include:

• Vacuum pumps: regular oil and filter replacement and scheduled checks
• Heating system insulation: inspection and maintenance of graphite or ceramic insulating elements

LPC process simulator
Process simulation (e.g. SimVaC) facilitates precise selection of process parameters and recipe design to achieve target carbon profiles, reducing or eliminating trial runs and setup iterations.

Technical characteristics / specifications

• Model name: CaseMaster Evolution
• Configuration: double- or triple-chamber vacuum multi-chamber furnace
• Processes supported: LPC, LPCN, integral oil quench (OQ), high-pressure gas quench (HPGQ), through hardening, annealing, brazing
• Typical operating vacuum: approx. 10⁻¹ hPa
• Heating chamber material: graphite-based chamber suitable for temperatures above 1200°C
• Typical carburizing temperatures: up to ~980°C (standard steels), up to ~1050°C for selected micro-alloyed steels
• Carbon carriers: primarily acetylene; ethylene or propane possible (less common)
• Control: pulse (boost/diffusion) gas feeding with measurement and adjustment of carbon flow
• Automation: fully automatic operation with high repeatability and process stability
• Key benefits: reduced energy and gas consumption, improved safety, elimination of intergranular oxidation, high surface quality and uniformity