For sheer variety, complexity, “high end” heat treat technology and tight tolerances you would struggle to beat the heat treating that goes into gears-any form of gears for that matter.

 

A prime example of this would be “SIAP SPA”, a member of the “Carraro Group” based in Italy-our focus today is on the “SIAP” facility in Maniago, Italy which supplies a variety of gears, primarily for the automotive industry but also veering off into a number of other industries.

 

This 450 employee plant has always considered heat treating to be a core part of its’ business and it shows in their heat treat investments.

 

The original investment included two large, highly automated Ipsen pusher lines which even after a number of years in service are still operating 24/7 with tremendous results.

 

The next phase of the company’s heat treating experience included 5 sealed quench (Batch IQ) furnaces again from “Ipsen International”, each with working dimensions of 760mm X 1,200mm X 760mm (30″ X 48″ X 30″). 

Next step? Two completely automated Ipsen “Atlas XL” sealed quench furnace lines with associated tempers, charge car and washer, with the most recent sealed quench being installed in 2024. Each of the new furnaces has working dimensions of 910mm X 1220mm X 910mm-it is worth mentioning that all of the pushers and sealed quench furnaces are serviced by 6 endothermic generators.

 

Control of each of the furnaces is via a probe plus “Siemens” IR system.

 

In addition to these atmosphere furnaces the company also has a low pressure nitriding furnace and  “Gleason” press quenching lines.

 

This visit happened Friday, March 14^th and we can’t say enough good things about our hosts. Mr. Michele Filippi Chiella of SIAP is a long time veteran of the heat treat industry and is polite, open, knowledgeable and very open.

 

Mr. Corrado Tomaselli, is a second generation sales person for Ipsen in Italy and is enthusiastic, energetic and experienced-he does a very good job of presenting the Ipsen face to the industry.