Digitalized production planning for Induction hardening

Purpose and goal

The purpose of the project was to introduce a more digitized production planning for induction hardening, which enables rapid implementation of robust processes for new products and new materials. Today, industrial production planning of the induction hardening process is done exclusively through experience-based trial-and-error. The project has verified that predictive simulations are possible given a well-defined pilot case with known input data regarding current and material.

Expected results and effects

Induction hardening is a fast and energy-efficient process for surface hardening steel components. Only the volume of material to be hardened is inductively heated and then rapidly cooled with a shower quench. The expected effect of the project is faster implementation of robust processes for new products and new materials. The industrial project parties have confirmed that they use the project results to a certain extent for the preparation of production components.

Planned approach and implementation

The project has worked well and ran in three work packages, two of which deal with sub-challenges; AP1: to introduce engineering use of finite element analysis (FEA) and AP2: to quantify input materials and use data for FEA (AP1) and machine learning. In addition to the implementation plan, AP3 also included pilot cases to link digitized production data (materials, process and performance), three pilot cases were carried out. Project partners were RISE, LEAX Quality, AB Volvo, VCE, Scania CV, EFD Induction, SKF, Sandvik Mining, Schlumpf Scandinavia, Teknoheat and Swerim.