title = "Heat Treatment Records and Batch Traceability"

content = """
Heat treatment records and batch traceability ensure that every part that leaves the heat treat department has documentation proving that it received the correct, verified thermal process. At Ridgecrest Metalworks, the records system is a critical component of the quality management system and is audited by customers, certification bodies, and regulatory agencies.

Traceability begins at receipt: each batch of parts entering the heat treat area is assigned a unique furnace load/lot number that links to the customer order, part number, part quantity, material heat or lot number, and drawing revision. Parts are tagged, bagged, or loaded in labeled baskets that accompany them through the process. Parts must never be commingled between different material lots, different customer orders, or different required heat treat conditions without documented authorization.

Furnace records are generated for every heat treatment cycle. Required records include: load number and part identification, furnace identification number, process procedure number and revision, target temperature and tolerance, actual cycle start time and end time, continuous temperature recorder chart or digital data file covering the entire cycle (preheat, ramp, soak, cool-out, quench—all phases), atmosphere readings (carbon potential, dew point, or oxygen probe readings, as applicable), quench medium type and temperature, and the signature of the operator who performed the process.

Temperature recorder charts (paper or electronic) must show the complete thermal history with enough data points to verify that the required temperature was reached and maintained within tolerance for the full hold time. Digital data acquisition systems must have validated software and adequate data retention. Electronic records must be backed up and protected from alteration.

Post-process records include: hardness test results (Rockwell, Brinell, or Vickers per the drawing requirement), and for carburizing and case hardening—case depth measurements from metallographic cross-sections of process coupons. Each furnace load generates a Certificate of Conformance that attests the process was performed per the specified procedure and that results met requirements.

Records are retained per the quality plan—typically 10 years for commercial work, longer for aerospace or pressure equipment applications.
"""

version = "0.0.1"
