Efficient heat treatment of cast steel with digital tools

In this project, we will develop simulation models for optimization and control of a number of steel foundries' heat treatment processes. We are thereby starting a digitization project intended to ultimately completely replace local tradition and rules of thumb with more precise and systematic digitized methods to control these processes.

The purpose of the project is to develop digital calculation and planning tools based on physical principles that provide a fully science-based decision support. When the time in the furnace is shortened, value creation increases in the form of increased productivity and higher resource and energy efficiency. The digital tools being developed give foundries a whole new flexibility in the heat treatment process, as times, temperatures, furnace packing numbers and other parameters can be easily adjusted to achieve the desired quality outcome for a large number of products and alloys.

The overall picture of the possibilities for energy and resource efficiency that is built up will already during the project period lead to the initiation of supplementary measures and the development and commissioning of new digitized systems. After completion of the project, the digital tools are expected to be further developed to higher TRL levels and ultimately become new commercial products.