The Super IQ hybrid system, a conventional and vacuum furnace in one, premiered in October at ASM2019 in Detroit and now it operates for the first American customer. REX Heat Treat, a commercial heat treater specializing in the aerospace market, has become the first company to install and commission the new Super IQ Gas Carburizing furnace. Over the past several years, REX has commissioned several new Seco/Warwick Group vacuum furnaces at their Lansdale, PA location as part of a plant modernization initiative. So, when Super IQ was introduced in 2019, it represented another opportunity to upgrade their through-hardening and carburizing capabilities alongside their legacy harden and temper furnaces, while using their existing loader, baskets and washing system.

Super IQ was designed specifically to eliminate the need for endogas, and its inherent flames and carbon monoxide dangers. Instead, Super IQ allows clean processing and can even achieve higher temperature carburizing to speed cycles and improve yields in certain steels in a clean and cool manner. Parts also come out much cleaner and brighter.

“The Super IQ is a well thought out replacement to the traditional-gas-fired IQ furnaces. The technological advances allow us to run at higher temperatures, vacuum carburize, and clean harden with no decarburizing effects. The fact that our existing systems fit perfectly with this new addition helps to minimize the overall investment and accelerate successful integration. We expect the Super IQ to reduce operating costs, improve safety, and enable more environmentally friendly processing,” said Johnathan Rex, general manager at REX Heat Treat.