To date, car manufacturers have used a large number of gas-heated pusher-type furnaces for hardening transmission parts. As most pusher-type furnace systems are of an older design, indirect heating is realized by simple recuperative gas burners, often installed in metal jacketed radiant tubes. Due to their design, these burners are not only inefficient and produce high nitrogen oxide emissions, but are also very maintenance-intensive.
WS Wärmeprozesstechnik GmbH has successfully modernized several of these pusher-type furnaces by installing state-of-the-art recuperative burners. These burners all have an additively manufactured, thermally wear-free ceramic finned recuperator. Compared to the old heating system, considerable energy savings have been demonstrated. At the same time, nitrogen oxide emissions are reduced through the use of the FLOX®-technology, thereby complying with the legally required limits. The converted systems are future-proof and thus consolidate the production site in Germany.
The use of ceramic components and the FLOX® process leads to significantly less wear and tear and far lower maintenance costs compared to the technology previously used by a competitor. The burners also impress with their very good cold start behavior. The bottom line is that thanks to the conversion, the customer can operate the production plant not only more efficiently and cleanly, but also with significantly reduced downtimes.
Energy efficiency and environmental protection are the focus of the steel industry: WS delivers major order - retrofitting industrial burners instead of building new plants. The most economical way to comply with emission limits and maximum efficiency.
WS has been known worldwide for decades as the undisputed technology and market leader in the field of industrial burner technology for the thermoprocessing industry. For next-generation products, state-of-the-art manufacturing processes such as additive manufacturing are of course also used.
The WS Group was blessed with beautiful weather on April 30, 2025 when almost 500 guests accepted the invitation to "Dance into May" to celebrate the inauguration of two newly built halls in Renningen. With a large number of employees, customers, suppliers and political guests, the day was an entertaining experience that included in-depth technical discussions as well as joint networking.
Federal Cross of Merit for WS founder Joachim A. Wünning: As part of a festive ceremony, Joachim A. Wünning was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit on March 28, 2025. Awarded by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and presented by Klaus Brenner, the award honors Wünning's life's work.
New CNC lathe at WS - high-end solution for precision and quality in in-house production and new development. The lathe from SPINNER Werkeugmaschinenfabrik GmbH will complement the extensive machine park at WS in the future.
Just in time for the start of the year, the WS Service department is delighted to have taken over and used the new WS Service Center. After extensive conversion work in the newly acquired building, nothing now stands in the way of its use as the new control center for our service department.
