Energy-efficient vacuum carburising of drill bit parts

An alternance optimisation method-based energy-efficient technology of vacuum carburising of drill bit parts is proposed. Criteria for optimisation of vacuum carburising process are formulated and proven based on energy consumption analysis; such criteria define energy efficiency of the strengthening process. The acquired control algorithms based on energy efficiency criteria allow dramatically reducing carburising process duration to increase the vacuum oven capacity, to decrease energy consumption, and to enhance production quality. (paper)