In an example implementation, a method of determining a sintering process endpoint includes monitoring gas flow through a detection gas line routed into a sintering furnace and through a furnace shelf on which a token green object is positioned. The method includes detecting a change in the gas flow when the token green object shrinks during a sintering process in the furnace, and determining that green objects being sintered in the furnace have reached a sintering endpoint when the change in the gas flow reaches a predetermined target.

A furnace as described in this invention comprises a temperature regulating portion to assist in melting a non-ferrous material, such as an aluminium, and to reserve said material for the subsequent casting or injection molding procedure. The furnace provides a mean to eliminate an oxide, such as iron oxide, which generally floats on the top layer of a molten material inside a melting portion and a heating portion by preventing the flow of said oxide into the temperature regulating portion. A sensor or any detector that can detect the level of the molten material is utilized to measure the surface level of said molten material. A temperature regulating burner, which is a flat flame type, is utilized on the ceiling of the temperature regulating portion in order to prevent any oxidation reaction to occur as well as to reduce the concentration of oxygen inside the portion.

According to an embodiment, a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes a holder configured to hold a processing object, a heater provided at the holder and configured to heat the processing object, a first exhaust port provided above the holder and facing the holder, and an exhaust duct. The exhaust duct is provided on an outer side surface of the first exhaust port and includes an extension and contraction function.

The invention relates to an arrangement of a furnace and of bulk material of glass particles, said furnace (10) comprising a pressing punch (36), a pressure, distance and/or speed sensor and a control device for controlling a pressing process based on the output signal of the sensor. The sensor detects at least a pressure, position and/or motion parameter of the pressing punch (36). The pressing punch (36) acts on the bulk material of glass particles (32)possibly via an interposed ram (28), said glass particles being guided and crystallizable in a press channel (30). The trigger criterion for the process control is a change of at least a motion parameter of the pressing punch (36) upon softening of the bulk material of glass particles (32) which change is detected by the sensor.

An induction heating device for a metal strip, including: an induction coil provided on one side or on both sides of a front face side or a reverse face side of a metal strip, and that induces an induction current in the strip when a primary current is passed through the coil, the induction current configuring a closed loop as viewed from a direction perpendicular to a metal strip face; plural magnetic cores disposed at a specific position, this being a position at a back face side of the coil and separated from the strip by a specific distance, to concentrate magnetic flux generated by the coil in the strip; and a moving mechanism coupled to the magnetic cores, and that moves the cores to increase or decrease a disposed number of the cores at the specific position disposed side-by-side along a metal strip width direction.

A system for conditioning stucco particulate material includes a vessel having separation chamber in communication with a holding chamber having a holding volume therein. The conditioning system includes the holding volume sufficient to condition the stucco particulate material therein and/or a control system configured to delay discharge of the stucco particulate material from the holding chamber. The system for conditioning stucco particulate material is configured to increase residence time of the stucco particulate material in the holding chamber to promote calcining conditioning therein.

A method and an arrangement measures electrode paste in an electrode column of an electric arc furnace. The electrode column has a steel casing, is provided with a contact shoe ring, and is filled with electrode paste introduced from above and evolving from raw paste in the upper part of the steel casing to melted paste and to baked paste in the lower part of the electrode column. The level of the raw paste is determined with a laser beam transmitted by a first laser device. The level of the molten paste is determined with a laser beam transmitted by a second laser device. The data received from the laser devices is used for calculation of the distances of the levels of the raw paste and molten paste from the contact shoe ring.

A process and apparatus for controlling the strip run (4) of a metal strip (10) through a floating furnace (3). The strip run (4) is controlled contact-free with the aid of an electromagnetic device (1) that generates a Lorentz force acting transversely to the strip run.

An electrically controlled valve which can be operated using a programable controller. A cooperating pair of the electrically controlled valves can be used in a Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO). The electrically controlled valve has two seats, and a blade which can move between a first position contacting the first seat and a second position contacting the second seat. The blade is moved by an actuator which is controlled by a variable frequency drive (VFD). A control computer continuously monitors the operation of both valves and halts operation of the system upon detecting a fault (error). The motion of the blade is programmed such that force of impact on the seat is reduced. Once the blade is seated, a brake is engaged which maintains the stationary position while utilizing relatively low power.

According to an embodiment, a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes a holder configured to hold a processing object, a heater provided at the holder and configured to heat the processing object, a first exhaust port provided above the holder and facing the holder, and an exhaust duct. The exhaust duct is provided on an outer side surface of the first exhaust port and includes an extension and contraction function.