A method of controlling a production process includes illuminating a portion of a workpiece undergoing a production process with a light having a selected wavelength, processing a portion of the workpiece, capturing a digital image of the light reflecting from a surface of the workpiece with a digital camera, performing, with a processor, a specular reflectance analysis of the digital image, and adjusting a production process parameter based on the specular reflectance analysis.

Apparatus, systems, and methods for processing workpieces are provided. In one example, such a method for performing a spike anneal rapid thermal process may include controlling a heat source to begin heating a workpiece supported on a workpiece support in a processing chamber. The method may further include receiving data indicative of a temperature of the workpiece. Furthermore, the method may include monitoring the temperature of the workpiece relative to a temperature setpoint. Moreover, the method may include controlling the heat source to stop heating the workpiece based at least in part on the workpiece reaching the temperature setpoint. Additionally, the method may include controlling a cooling system to begin flowing a cooling gas at a rate of about 300 slm or greater over the workpiece based at least in part on the workpiece reaching the temperature setpoint to reduce a t50 peak width of the workpiece.

Apparatus, systems, and methods for processing workpieces are provided. In one example, such a method for performing a spike anneal rapid thermal process may include controlling a heat source to begin heating a workpiece supported on a workpiece support in a processing chamber. The method may further include receiving data indicative of a temperature of the workpiece. Furthermore, the method may include monitoring the temperature of the workpiece relative to a temperature setpoint. Moreover, the method may include controlling the heat source to stop heating the workpiece based at least in part on the workpiece reaching the temperature setpoint. Additionally, the method may include controlling a cooling system to begin flowing a cooling gas at a rate of about 300 slm or greater over the workpiece based at least in part on the workpiece reaching the temperature setpoint to reduce a t50 peak width of the workpiece.

A method for operating a power-compensated fusion furnace that includes a power control system having one switching device per heating element, power measurement circuitry, a master temperature sensor, and a controller. Each switching device is electrically connected to a respective heating element. The controller, in conjunction with the switching devices, is able to individually control the electrical energy flowing to each heating element, thereby controlling the duty cycle of each heating element. The duty cycles are corrected for one or more of variations in the electrical resistance of each heating element and position-dependent variations in furnace cavity temperature.

A method for operating a power-compensated fusion furnace that includes a power control system having one switching device per heating element, power measurement circuitry, a master temperature sensor, and a controller. Each switching device is electrically connected to a respective heating element. The controller, in conjunction with the switching devices, is able to individually control the electrical energy flowing to each heating element, thereby controlling the duty cycle of each heating element. The duty cycles are corrected for one or more of variations in the electrical resistance of each heating element and position-dependent variations in furnace cavity temperature.

The present invention refers to an improved burning system for industrial furnace burners (16), more specifically for tunnel type furnaces for firing ceramic materials, to improve the thermal efficiency and reduce the consumption by these furnaces in the process of firing load (10) such as floor tiles, tiles, sanitary material, refractories, porcelain, insulators, grindstone, tableware ceramic, red ceramic and ceramic in general, by a using flame rotation system, providing a radiant flame surface by dividing the flame into smaller intermittent flames.

The present invention refers to an improved burning system for industrial furnace burners (16), more specifically for tunnel type furnaces for firing ceramic materials, to improve the thermal efficiency and reduce the consumption by these furnaces in the process of firing load (10) such as floor tiles, tiles, sanitary material, refractories, porcelain, insulators, grindstone, tableware ceramic, red ceramic and ceramic in general, by a using flame rotation system, providing a radiant flame surface by dividing the flame into smaller intermittent flames.

A control system for heat treatment of a stainless steel part in a furnace having an internal heat treatment chamber with a treatment atmosphere therein arranged in a plurality of zones, the system including at least one analysis apparatus for each one of the plurality of zones, each analysis apparatus in communication with a respective one of the zones for providing a gas to said zone, analyzing an atmosphere of said zone, and sensing a temperature of said zone for determining commencement of nitriding in the treatment atmosphere. A related furnace is also provided.

A control system for heat treatment of a stainless steel part in a furnace having an internal heat treatment chamber with a treatment atmosphere therein arranged in a plurality of zones, the system including at least one analysis apparatus for each one of the plurality of zones, each analysis apparatus in communication with a respective one of the zones for providing a gas to said zone, analyzing an atmosphere of said zone, and sensing a temperature of said zone for determining commencement of nitriding in the treatment atmosphere. A related furnace is also provided.

The invention concerns a dental furnace, with a furnace base and with a furnace hood, wherein the furnace hood includes a firing chamber for the accommodation of dental restorations, with a temperature sensor that records the temperature of the dental restoration and which is connected to a control device which controls the dental furnace, and the dental furnace (10) includes a drive unit (18) for the furnace hood (16) and the control device (30) controls the drive unit (18) based on the temperature recorded by the temperature sensor (20), namely opens the furnace hood.