The Challeng

Clifford-Jacobs was not getting consistent, repeatable results from its furnaces. The company also wanted more efficient and automated processes with data acquisition and electronic operating capability.

“We looked at a number of controls companies throughout the Midwest and interviewed them to learn about their experience with system controls and data acquisition,” said Bud Kinney, Vice President of Innovation and Technology at IMT Corporation, the parent of Clifford-Jacobs. “We knew we wanted an integrated system so we started looking at companies that did that as a matter of course. Most companies are limited to traditional controls, but Conrad Kacsik has a lot of experience doing the exact type of job we needed.”

Increasing Demands

Clifford-Jacobs makes forged parts for a variety of clients. Although forging does not generally require as much precision as other types of processes, customers are increasingly demanding, said Kinney.

“We believe that sooner rather than later things like Nadcap will come into forging, and our customers are very interested in us being able to demonstrate that our processes are always in control, even forge heating,” Kinney said. “This project helps ensure that we meet those needs. We couldn’t track things like set-point input values before. That’s another element we wanted to manage.”

The System

Conrad Kacsik built a full process temperature control system that includes SCADA software from SpecView. They were able to retrofit the system on Clifford-Jacobs’ existing 16 furnaces, saving the company considerable expense and time. The temperature process control system uses Watlow F4T controllers paired with SpecView SCADA software, which allows for programming jobs/recipes, remote operation, secure (password protected) operation of furnaces and accurate automatic temperature recording. Conrad Kacsik also added alert lights that allow the operators to quickly see the status of each furnace from the shop floor. 热处理展-工业炉展-2019第二十届广州国际热处理、工业炉展览会-中国效果最好的热处理工业炉展--巨浪展览 —The 20th China(Guangzhou)Int’l Heat Treatment, Industrial Furnace Exhibition -Heat Treatment exhibition, Heat Treatment expo, 2019 Heat Treatment exhibition, 2019 Heat Treatment expo, China Heat Treatment exhibition, China Heat Treatment expo, Industrial Furnace exhibition, Industrial Furnace expo, 2019 Industrial Furnace exhibition, 2019 Industrial Furnace expo, China Industrial Furnace exhibition, China Industrial Furnace expo