THE MONTY, October 2004 Issue
The Oakville Thermal Process Division of VAC AERO is a world leader in heat treating of aircraft landing gear components. More than 20 years ago, VAC AERO developed a unique vacuum oil quenching process that offers many advantages over conventional salt bath and controlled atmosphere heat treating. Since then, VAC AERO has operated two of the world’s largest vertical vacuum oil quench furnaces. Both of these units were designed and built by VAC AERO.
To support increasing production volumes of commercial aircraft landing gear systems, construction of a third vacuum oil quench furnace is now underway. Like VAC AERO’s existing furnaces, the new unit will handle work loads up to 72" (1830mm) diameter and 100" (2540mm) high. It is based on a hybrid design to reduce floorspace while still accommodating a large work load. The new furnace is scheduled to be in operation by early 2002. An air-circulating pit tempering furnace (VAC AERO