ItacaWeb is a web-based platform developed over recent years with the purpose of solving the inherent limitations of control software in the metallurgical process. Building on the success of Itaca 7 thermal analysis software, this web-based system not only collects the data, but also processes them in real time on a specific server, providing the user not just with numbers but with interpretations in the form of easy to understand graphics that can be customised by the user. It is able to receive data and information about melting furnaces, alloy dispensers, treatment stations, ladles or pouring furnaces, moulding systems and sand preparation plants from any probe, machine, system or database.
ItacaWeb offers several advantages over the stand-alone version:
• Customisation of application: foundries are able to choose only the parts of the service they require and pay accordingly.
• Real-time monitoring: results are immediately available on the web.
• Ease of reporting: central servers create specific reports that can be examined and customised to the specific needs of each individual user.
• Remote access: With the correct user ID and password, statistical data and customised graphical reports can be accessed in real-time on any PC with internet access. Thus technical management can monitor melt shop quality when they are away from the office and results can be shared between departments, even when they are located on different sites.
• On-line technical support: readily available, including help in interpretation of cooling curves.
• Automatic backup function: enhances system security and robustness.
• System security: a clone can be created and ready to work in 30 minutes.
• User security: different users, even from the same foundry can have different access levels.
Itaca Web executes analyses on the melting process on a short and long term. It is about statistical analyses aggregating the saved data that allow to have a complete synthesis on the trend of the melting production and on the quality of the iron in the foundry. Their content will be understandable event to people that are not expert in metallurgy but needing a complete overview on the situation. Some examples:
Analysis of Carbon, Silicon, Carbon Equivalent content in the cupola between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 A.M., all Mondays of the year;
Analysis of the temperature of the iron in the melting furnace, from midnight to 7:00 a.m. from 1st January to 31st January.
Pictures: Distinction of high, medium and low risk cases of porosity, per time slots, Percentage division of high risk cases for various defects, Chronology of Ultimate Tensile Strength in the considered period