Quality Control for More Precision in Press Hardening and Hot Forming – PRESS-CHECK
InfraTec's PRESS CHECK system enables reliable and efficient monitoring of process temperatures and correct component positioning during press hardening and hot forming. This helps manufacturers reliably meet even the most demanding quality requirements – such as those specified in CQI-9 – while avoiding tool damage.
Quality Control with PRESS-CHECK
Automatic rejection of defective blanks and process-synchronous press stopping in the event of misalignment
Comprehensive logging and evaluation of all measurement data, including transfer via industrial interfaces
Flexible system design for easy adaptation to and integration into existing systems
Thermography-based prediction of hardness distribution for quality-assured process control
PRESS-CHECK: For End-to-end Quality Control and Trouble-free Operation During Press Hardening
Thermography in Use in Press Hardening and Hot Forming
The automated test system PRESS-CHECK works with two or more powerful high-resolution infrared cameras for continuous measurement of the two-dimensional temperature distribution on the parts before and after the hot forming or hot press stamping process, ultimately enabling full compliance with the specified thermal process parameters.
The high-resolution thermographic cameras continuously measure the surface temperature distribution before the pressing process and on the finished molded parts. Precise adherence to the thermal process parameters ensures components with the intended microstructure and hardness distribution. Extensive thermography offers significant advantages over purely point-based temperature measurements. Based on the measured data, hardness distributions can be predicted during the ongoing process using a model (hardness mapping).
The process-specific temperature limits for the differently shaped metal parts can be managed in special parameter sets, also called recipes. Stampings with different thermal signatures during the hot forming process are recognised and can be automatically sorted out, so your wastage rates fall considerably. The system detects deviations in the number and position of the inserted blanks, including duplicate blanks. In the event of critical deviations, PRESS CHECK automatically stops the press to reliably prevent tool damage.
PRESS-CHECK is linked to the supervisory control system of the respective press, and transmits data as well as the classification of all pressings in real time, thus avoiding slowing down of the hot forming process. With InfraTec´s PRESS-CHECK you can manage the various molds and associated parameter sets automatically, even creating logs. This makes InfraTec PRESS-CHECK universally usable for all applications running on the press without the need for additional equipment and setup time. With highly reliable components, special protective housings, a flexible design and industry-standard data interfaces, the PRESS-CHECK test system can be easily integrated in your press processes.
Why Monitor the Process of Press Hardening?
Automotive low weight components demand a precise microstructure and corresponding local hardening distribution. Good reasons to monitor the process of press hardening by the use of infrared cameras.
Thermography in Use in Press Hardening
The automated test system PRESS-CHECK from InfraTec serves to control the production process during press hardening. It is equipped with several infrared cameras, which monitor the furnace exit, the moment before and after pressing as well as the cooling of the pressed parts. Thus, a complete temperature measurement and position monitoring is easily possible - high-level quality control due to thermography.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hot forming is a process in which metal workpieces are heated and formed above the recrystallisation limit with little force. In the process, repetitive recovery and softening processes take place. Hot forming processes include forging, hot rolling or extrusion. Hot forming is also referred to as form hardening or press hardening.
The main difference is the temperature at which the forming process takes place. While it is above the recrystallisation point in hot forming, it is below it in cold forming. In addition, less force is needed for hot forming.
Press hardening (also form hardening) is a process for the hot forming of sheet metal. In this process, the workpieces are heated and then formed by a water-cooled tool and cooled at the same time. This is how robust components are created.
During hot forming and press hardening, a consistently high production quality is ensured by thermography and area-based monitoring of the process temperatures, which offers significant advantages over exclusively punctual temperature measurements at reference points.
Online Events On Demand: Thermography for Industrial Automation
Thermography for Industrial Automation
Efficient quality control through fast, contactless temperature measurement during ongoing production
Flexible system solutions from modular components to fully customized turnkey setups
Integrated software for automated evaluation, documentation, and triggering of follow-up processes
Would You Like to Know More?
It is not unusual for tasks to be associated with special requirements. Discuss your specific application needs with our specialists, receive further technical information or learn more about our additional services.
Features and Benefits
Infrared cameras optimised for temperature control at the furnace exit, before and after hot press stamping or hot forming
Monitoring of the entire surface of the sheet instead of point measurements
Presence detection, position recognition, double sheet detection
Fully automatic, process-synchronous operation
No additional setup time
Increases process efficiency and safety by automatically sorting sheets or stopping the press to prevent damage
Temperature measurement and classification of sheet metal parts
Adaptation to different press manufacturers through flexible system structure and data interface
Control of multi-zone components (tailored tempering) for partial press hardening in one process step
System Structure
PRESS-CHECK Software
Parameter setting, monitoring, operation, representation, evaluation and reporting by the software
Automatic test mode for temperature, loading and position control
Ease of use via intuitive user interface
Easy parameterisation and setup
User management
Data and recipe management
Automatic data transfer to supervisory control system
Easy integration into QM systems
Scene-based, geometric and thermal characterisation of the heat-treated sheet metal blanks at the furnace exit after hot forming or hot press stamping
Automatic inline detection of components, even if they are only partially visible
Automatic adaptation to variable process speeds
Dynamic measuring field (ROI) - creation "on the fly" to determine the position and thermal data according to the component recipes
Statistical data analysis of position information for automatic adjustment of the sheets’ furnace loading position
Transition zones of multi-zone components are detected, geometrically and thermally measured
Defect Patterns of a Moulded Part
Automated Monitoring in Running Operation
Position and temperature control during the press hardening process
Creation of complete images from several individual images, even with limited on-site conditions on site
Automated evaluation of heat transfer zones on horizontal or moving components
Fieldbus interface to machine control
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