Automatic Processing Furnace Systems (APF) and Ceramic Processing Furnace Systems (CPF) are from the Astro Division of Thermal Technology. They provide fully automatic, unattended operation at temperatures to 2000° C. Parts processing may be cycled in under two hours with rapid temperature ramp up (>100° C/min) and ramp down (>300° C/min).

Hot zones are designed to operate in wet or dry hydrogen, fully dissociated dry ammonia, inert gases, nitrogen, or vacuum. The large surface area heating elements provide excellent temperature uniformity within the working volume. Molybdenum sheet, molybdenum wire mesh, or tungsten wire mesh heating elements are used, depending on the operating temperature. A variety of work volumes, temperatures, and processing capabilities are offered to match the system to the customer’s requirements.

The APF/CPF systems are cold wall, radiation shielded, bell-style batch furnaces. The double-wall, all stainless steel furnace chamber hydraulically lifts off the base plate and hearth, providing full work area access for loading parts and instrumentation. The furnace system uses a microprocessor for digital temperature control and processing sequences. More than 25 separate, complete processing programs may be held in memory at one time. Programs are easily entered and may be modified during operation on a temporary or permanent basis. After loading and starting, operation is fully automatic. An audio/visual alarm signals the end of a cycle.

STANDARD WORK ZONES

Other Sizes Available

October 1997 Press Release