Can-Eng Furnaces International Ltd., Niagara Falls, N.Y., has successfully started up a continuous mesh belt normalizing furnace system at Ohio Star Forge, an independent subsidiary of Daido Steel located in Warren, Ohio.

The automated 3,500 lb/hr system designed to normalize steel forgings includes a computerized loading system, mesh belt normalizing furnace, a forced-air cooling system, as well as a Level 2 automation system. The furnace is heated using radiant U tubes with recuperation to minimize the amount of oxidation, according to the company. The integration of Can-Eng’s Level 2 automation system tracks product status and collects detailed process data, which is used for continuous process improvement, equipment diagnostics, processing cost analysis and inventory management.