QED, the technology leader in galvanizing lines

QED specializes in equipment for in-line heat-treating, cleaning and coating of steel wire. The corporate leading-edge furnaces are custom-built for multi-strand annealing, stress relieving, patenting and tempering processes. With patented flow technology, the fluid systems integrate cleaning efficiency with high wire speeds. QED’s rugged liquid metal furnaces have proven the test of time applying heavy and commercial coating of zinc, aluminum and Galfan®. As an industry leader, QED can provide solutions for all your production needs.

Connecting man to machine!

QED is supplying new process lines with Remote Monitoring & Control of the equipment’s key functions. Networked control panels are now further enhanced with software and hardware for communicating directly with your internal network. QED’s Siemens based PLC’s work in unison with a state-of-the-art Ixon router for seamless LAN integration. The equipment package includes a Cloud based command center offering a multitude of solutions including live production dashboards, real-time messaging alerts and access to your equipment from anywhere in the world.

Networked panels with remote monitoring and control

IXON IoT Platform: Ixon Cloud 2 provides fast PLC access over a secure network. True real time remote monitoring and control of your production indicators using online dashboards. Connect to your process line from your computer or smart phone. Options include Cloud data logging and alarm notifications to mobile devices. The IXON platform was recently branded the Number 1 industrial IoT solution.

Siemens PLC’s: QED has turned to Siemens for our PLC & HMI requirements. Siemens is the world leader in industrial controls with unparalleled products for quality, performance and versatility. Programmed with user-friendly software and advanced combustion algorithms, they deliver precision gas flow and accurate temperature control.

Remote troubleshooting: the remote access capability permits troubleshooting from anywhere in the world. Additionally, QED software has status screens indicating all inputs and outputs to simplify maintenance and operations.

Data logging: all temperatures and pressures are graphed for easy visualization of the process trends. Alarms are logged along with the time and date of the incident. This valuable data is critical for product quality assurance and standards compliance, such as ISO 9001.

Cost saving coat weigh control

An upgrade to existing high-speed Zinc and Galfan® process lines, QED AutoCoatTM utilizes independent measurement and fine-tune control to achieve consistent and uniform coating weight application with a precision of ±10g/m2. With such high accuracy, QED AutoCoatTM offers significant Zinc or Galfan® savings and results in a premium quality finished product. Data acquisition and networking with remote monitoring are provided using the latest generation Siemens PLC hardware.

Feedback from the field has been outstanding…
The measurement of galvanized coatings on steel wire is achieved via robustly designed sensors which communicate with a top-of-the-line Siemens PLC control panel in real time. These premium-quality sensors relay current coat weight data that is instantly compared to a user set point target. The system then regulates a closed PID loop controlling output pressure to individual Nitrogen nozzles.

Industry leading furnaces

Sophisticated control on tempering fluid bed
With a bed of fine aluminum oxide particles and precise air & gas control, QED fluid bed furnaces offer an environmentally friendly heat-treating solution in an energy efficient package. The fluidbed’s rapid heat transfer results in significantly shorter furnace length and therefore more compact and easier to operate process lines.

Pulse-firing muffle tube furnace
The addition of pulse-firing technology to QED’s muffle tube austinitizing furnace improves the thermal efficiency and increases temperature uniformity. This is owing to the higher average flame velocity and superior convective heat-transfer. Pulse firing also offers a higher turn-down ratio, lower NOx emissions and more flexibility in burner and zone control.

Galvanizing & galfan coating
QED latest development in ceramic lined furnaces is the Advanced Recuperative Technology Mark 4 Immersion Burner. This burner offers dramatically higher combustion efficiency from an extended double pass pre-heat design. Constructed of stainless and high nickel alloy steels, they have an extended operating lifespan and a much cooler skin temperature.

Combustion technology
With a view to improved efficiency and to minimize environmental impact, QED developed the dual loop pressure/temperature combustion control system. This patented system maintains a steady output with precise air-gas ratio on all our multiple burner furnaces.

Superior pre-clan and pickling technology

Powerful pre-cleaning with utrasonics
QED latest wire cleaning equipment is a dual-stage pre-cleaner with powerful ultrasonic transducers. This precision laser-cut stainless-steel tank incorporates new temperature and level control features. The wires exit the cleaning section into a triple water rinse with innovative 4 stage suction wiping.

Patented pickling
QED HighTurbulence™ Pickling System optimizes fluid flow to break down the static boundary layer surrounding the wires and rapidly remove scale. With multiple cascading stages, this efficient system lowers acid consumption and minimizes waste treatment requirements.