A new AICHELIN rotary hearth furnace for the heat treatment of ring gears has been installed at the DAF-Trucks site in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The electrically heated system replaces a gas-fired furnace and is marking an important step toward modern, energy-efficient heat treatment technology.
Following successful factory acceptance at the AICHELIN Assembly Center Europe in Celje, Slovenia, the system was delivered on schedule before Easter. Installation posed a particular challenge: the rotary hearth, measuring approximately 4 meters in diameter, was moved into place over the weekend outside regular plant hours - a precise, millimeter-level operation under tight space constraints.
The system is currently in the assembly phase. Commissioning will take place in two coordinated steps:
STEP 1: Commissioning of the new rotary hearth furnace while the existing system continues operation in parallel.
STEP 2: Integration of the new system into the existing production line, including connection to the fully automated robotic cell and peripheral equipment during the scheduled annual maintenance window.
This approach ensures a smooth transition with maximum operational reliability and minimal disruption to ongoing production.
The scope of supply includes:
The system is designed for high process stability, energy efficiency, and precise control.
We are particularly proud of this project, as we successfully established ourselves as a new furnace supplier through expert consulting and many years of technical expertise. DAF-Trucks is an important new customer for AICHELIN and another international OEM that relies on AICHELIN’s many years of experience, quality, and technical expertise.
The customer has expressed a high level of satisfaction with both the project execution and technical implementation:
The implementation is progressing smoothly so far, and we are very pleased with how the collaboration is going. Communication with your team has been clear and efficient, which is greatly appreciated.Iris Kurstjens, Project Manager, DAF Trucks
This project highlights AICHELIN’s technical expertise and experience in delivering customized solutions - from initial planning to integration into existing production processes. Close collaboration and continuous alignment with the customer throughout the project were key to its success, forming a reliable foundation for a long-term partnership.
We would like to thank everyone involved for their strong commitment and excellent collaboration, which made this project a success.
