James Cross

Improving Process Quality and Reducing Downtime with SSi Gas Analysers

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As an industry, heat treatment is probably fairly conservative when it comes to technological progress, but I’m pleased to work for a manufacturer that is constantly expanding, innovating, and developing its product range. In 2001, SSi produced the first PGA3000 to verify and troubleshoot the a gas carburising furnace’s carbon potential. Today, SSi produces (what I think is) the heat treatment industry’s most comprehensive range of gas analysers, comprising:

  • SGA (new) single gas analysers available in OEM or wall mounted versions.
  • PGA portable multi gas analysers.
  • MGA multi gas analysers available in OEM, wall mounted, or rack mounted (new) versions.
  • MZA multi gas, multi zone gas analysers available in wall mounted or Rittal cabinet versions.
The MZA has proven to be an incredibly successful system because it cost-effectively provides valuable process and troubleshooting data for up to 8 zones from a single sensor. Installation and commissioning of a 4-zone system is typically completed in 2-3 days.

Pictured is a recently completed MGA and MZA installation at a UK aerospace manufacturer. The system measures and automatically corrects the Carbon Potential on three pit furnaces and three endothermic gas generators.

Below are some recently installed systems that demonstrate the versatility of the current range of gas analysers:

4 Zone MZA Rittal Cabinet for a global bearing manufacturer

Pictured is the second MZA cabinet designed and built for installation at a bearing manufacturer in Poland. 9205 controllers were installed alongside the MZA to provide automatic correction of COF and highly precise, stable temperature and carbon potential control.

Rack mounted MGA to replace a Siemens Ultramat 23

SSi developed a 19″ rack mounted MGA due, partly, to multiple requests to replace old Siemens Ultramat (and others) gas analysers. As SSi manufactures the complete analyser, including the 3-gas IR sensor, we can provide rapid, cost effective calibration and repair services meaning that lifetime costs are significantly lower than our competitors.

4 Zone standard MZA for a global fastener manufacturer

An MZA system was recently installed and commissioned in Holland. The CQI-9 compliant system automatically monitors continuous furnaces and endothermic gas generators. It saves process engineers many hours (and many miles) per week versus manual checks.

Please contact us to discuss any of the standard or custom systems mentioned in this blog post!