February 2021 Volume 3

AUTOMATION

Automation of Induction Heating Systems for Billets and Other Unique Shapes By Brian Lockitski, Inductoheat; Madison Heights, MI; Carl Wesolowski, Inductoheat; Madison Heights, MI; Ted Loznak, Clinton Machine; Ovid, MI; Michael Zaharof, Inductoheat; Madison Heights, MI

During the last 40 years, induction heating has proven to be a viable and effective solution for billet and bar heating for the forging industry. Induction forging allows for the heating of a billet's while providing reduced scale, faster start-up, and is much easier to automate than other methods of heating. Forge shops of today are facing new challenges in 2021. This includes but is not limited to; the lack of sufficient skilled labor, increased quality compliance requirements, and a need to automate for cost savings and increased productivity requirements. Recently, the industry has undergone a change to automate many functions in the process of forging parts to address some of the concerns mentioned above. This article will outline the many options for how a forging operation can automate the induction heating of traditional billets and bars, as well as other more unique shapes. Progressive Induction Heating Progressive or continuous induction heating of billets and bars is a popular method of heating today. This method involves passing small to medium-sized billets through an induction heater equipped

with a single or multiple induction coil in a continuous motion (Figure 1). Progressive style induction heaters have been used for decades and the industry has steadily introduced many automation options and methods throughout that time.

Figure 1. Progressive induction billet heating system showing a line of billets being heated prior to forging.

FIA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2021 32