SINTERMASTER

The Brew Division of Thermal Technology Inc. recently designed a new generation of horizontal, front loading, graphite resistance heated furnaces for multi-purpose applications. These furnaces are high temperature (1000ºC to 2500ºC), high vacuum and/or controlled atmosphere with uses ranging from research and development to small production process runs.

Many companies within the thermal processing community have recently taken the approach of not outsourcing their heat treat, brazing, annealing and sintering needs. These companies now elect to take full control of their process and product quality by being able to schedule and prioritize the availability of their furnace. They are also able to have direct control over contaminants and impurities within their heat zone.

Many of our customers have adopted cell management techniques which achieve faster response with smaller production loads of "in-house" orders. This shortens their delivery schedule and allows them to be more flexible to their clients’ needs. To help our customers accomplish these goals, Thermal Technology Inc. offers standard furnaces with a one or two cubic foot useable work volume that require a minimum amount of floor space. Standard optional features include high vacuum, hydrogen, inert gas, recirculating gas cooling, computer control and binder removal systems.

These smaller furnace systems typically have a shorter cycle run time compared to larger furnaces since the time to heat-up the product to equilibrium and the cooling time have both been reduced. A unique feature provided on these furnaces is a "sculptured" graphite heating element that is machined to improve temperature uniformity within the work volume for critical application

Infrared Heating technology

Infrared Heating Technologies' electric infrared thermal processing systems employ a high intensity, short wave, tungsten filament to transfer heat to the part. This heating technique has several features and related benefits:

	Very High Heating Rates. The extremely high source temperature of the tungsten filament leads to high thermal transfer and extremely fast heating.
	Fast Response. The low thermal mass of the tungsten filament gives outstanding control of the heat output and process temperature. Full output can be obtained within seconds of applied power. Also, power can be turned off almost immediately if production should stop.
	Controllable Output. Output can be controlled precisely to match the temperature requirements of the process.
	Directional Heating. Systems are able to selectively heat specific regions of the part.
	Clean Heating. Electric heat source is environmentally clean and efficient.
	High Heating Efficiencies. Up to 88% of input electrical power is converted to radiant energy (heat).

These are just a few of the advantages of infrared heating over conventional heating techniques. Infrared Heating Technologies also builds thermal processing systems that combine radiative and convection heating when the benefits of both heating techniques can be utilized. Our infrared heating systems have the capability to produce heating profiles that are impossible to achieve with any other heating technology.

Infrared also designs systems which employ gas catalytic, long wave, and quartz tube medium wave infrared emitters. ( source : http://www.infraredheating.com )

LABORATORY HOT PRESSES GROUP 1400

Thermal Technology’s Group 1400 laboratory hot presses are designed for high temperature, high pressure consolidation of powder materials. Operating at temperatures to 2250° C and uniaxial loads to 10 or 25 tons, this equipment is capable of densifying virtually all known ceramic materials. The vacuum furnaces are available with graphite, tungsten mesh, molybdenum mesh, or silicon carbide hot zones to meet specific process requirements. Atmospheres ranging from high vacuum to inert to reducing to oxidizing can be accommodated.

The basic models of hot pressing systems include the vacuum furnace, press load frame with rams, manual power supply with water-cooled flexible power leads, and manually controlled hydraulic force system.

With the versatility built into Thermal Technology’s Group 1400 hot presses, high purity, high strength technical ceramics can be fabricated. A variety of accessories can be installed at time of purchase or in the field at a later date. ( Source : thermaltechnology.com )