Flexible continuous homogenizing technology

When discussing the area of homogenizing in general and continuous homogenizing in specific, the general idea has been that the continuous homogenizing oven produces a lower but still a more consistent quality than batch homogenizing. This enables the extrusion press managers to set their press speed at a higher level as the metallurgical properties in the metal are more or less equal between billets. With the same general thinking it is also proposed that disadvantages in using the continuous homogenizing oven in the process is the lack of flexibility. When feeding the oven with one size and/or one alloy a horizontal airflow oven has to be run with the same size and/or one alloy until it is possible to run the plant empty before introducing new diameters and/or new alloys. This results in a considerable reduction in the plant capacity. The alternative is to run the plant according to pre-determined recipes. The following article is describing the new technical solution of IUT vertical continuous homogenizing technology.