Elementary Solution Saves Time

The latest continuous electric muffle furnace manufactured by Excel Heat incorporates a remarkable design feature which will reduce maintenance downtime from about 2 days to less than an hour.

The new furnace was supplied to a major supplier of hardened and tempered steel strip. The dramatic time saving is due to the configuration and accessibility of the heating system which enables individual elements to be changed, when required, from outside of the furnace while it is still hot. This means that it is no longer necessary for maintenance teams to cool down the furnace, use a crane to open it up and then wait for it to get back up to temperature after carrying out the replacement.

The furnace is rated for a maximum continuous temperature of 1000°C. It has a steel outer casing internally lined with a combination of low thermal mass and fire brick to provide optimum heat retention and durability. The electric heating elements are spiral wound from80/20 nickel chromium wire and are supported by the use of Alumina tubes. The elements can be replaced quickly and easily by the removal of cover plates on the side of the furnace to gain access to special internal compartments. The strip to be heated treated moves continually through the furnace from the entrance to the exit and is enclosed in a high grade heat resisting stainless steel ‘muffle’ which allows heat treatment to take place in an inert atmosphere. Internal temperatures are automatically controlled by program controllers mounted in a local control panel.