An ultra-high uniformity box furnace is being used to evenly remove binders and cure ceramic blocks prior to being machined into teeth. A major U.S./European dental laboratory uses L&L Special Furnace Company’s Model XLFS to heat ceramic blocks to 700°C to remove binder. The blocks are then heated to 1,010°C to cure.
Ceramic blocks shrink during heating, but the amount of shrinkage can be controlled with even heating. If there are variations in the uniformity of the temperature, irregularities in the product will result, leading to waste and/or costly rework. (Shown here, L&L's Shuttle Envelope Kiln is primarily designed for firing ceramic ware.)
Uniformity a Key Requirement
During tests prior to shipment, the XLFS was surveyed and indicated uniformity of ±2°C at 1,010°C throughout the work envelope.
Many blocks and round ceramics can be placed in the furnace, which has a work envelope of 16 in. wide by 16 in. high by 24 in. deep. An afterburner can be attached to a 2 in. diameter outlet in the top, allowing for the binder to be burned off prior to venting. The furnace includes a secondary shell with a 300 cfm venture, which is integrated with a motor control so the venturi speed can be adjusted to meet any required cooling curve.
L&L Special Furnace Co. designs and builds high temperature furnaces, ovens, kilns, quench tanks, and heat treating systems, specializing in batch production furnaces and ovens, particularly for applications requiring high uniformity and controlled atmosphere.