Modern Control Strategies for Vacuum Arc Remelting of Segregation Sensitive Alloys

There are several process variables which are crucial to the control of vacuum arc remelting of segregation sensitive alloys. These are: electrode gap, melt rate, cooling rate, furnace annulus, furnace atmosphere and electrode quality (i.e. cleanliness and integrity). Of these variables, active, closed loop control is usually applied only to electrode gap. Other variables are controlled by controlling furnace operational parameters to preset schedules (e.g. melting current is ramped or held constant to control melt rate in an open loop fashion), through proper maintenance and calibration of equipment (e.g. to ensure proper cooling water and gas flow rates, or to accomplish an acceptable vacuum leak rate), through proper practice of procedures, and by maintaining electrode quality control. Electrode gap control is accomplished by controlling an electrode gap indicator such as drip-short frequency (or period) to a specified set-point. This type of control, though often adequate, ignores information available from other electrode gap indicators and is susceptible to upsets. A multiple input electrode gap controller is described which uses optimal estimation techniques to address this problem.