A Frequently Asked Question is whether there exists a comprehensive worldwide list of manufacturers (OEMs) of front-loading (horizontal) bottom-loading (vertical) batch, external and/or internal quenching vacuum furnaces for heat treating and brazing and other vacuum processes such as carburizing etc. ...
Vacuum Furnace End-User Q&A Community Latest Articles
What is the difference between special limits of error, standard limits of error, and extension grade thermocouple wire?
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Special limits of error thermocouples are made with a higher grade of wire, which increases their accuracy. They are more expensive than the more common standard limits of error thermocouples which use standard “thermocouple grade” wire. An excerpt: “We are ...
How are vacuum furnaces used in the process of minting coins?
AlessiaP
Advanced gas quenching techniques in the vacuum heat-treating process for superior coining die performance involve optimizing the micro-structure of the die surface to provide uniform hardness and minimizing distortion. An excerpt: “The minting industry has to be compliant to the ...
How do you match a primary and secondary pump?
Andrew Chew
This blog describes the factors involved in matching primary pumps to support the continuous operation of secondary pumps and to ensure safe and optimized performance. The consequences arising from a wrong combination or “matching” of primary and secondary pumps can ...
What are some vacuum furnace pumping system failures and their solutions?
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For the many vacuum furnaces in use around the world, the vacuum pumping system is a critical component. To get the best value from the vacuum furnace system and to extend its useful life, regular and careful maintenance of the ...
Do you need to be NADCAP accredited to process “NADCAP” parts?
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Nadcap accreditation is an assessment process focused on establishing conformity throughout the industry. Passing a Nadcap audit means that the company has met or exceeded the highest quality standards in the industry. This is considered by most heat treaters to ...
How do you calculate evacuation time for a vacuum chamber?
Andrew Chew
When you’re designing a vacuum system, it is important to select a vacuum system that will evacuate the chamber and associated piping in a prescribed amount of time. This is essential in a production environment where the time to complete ...
When should you use direct versus indirect gauges?
Andrew Chew
Selecting the correct vacuum gauge is essential for the success of a heat treat process. It is important to know how direct and indirect gauges work and what options are available so that a heat treater can make the right ...
What are some of the factors that affect the sensitivity of vacuum gauges?
Andrew Chew
Vacuum gauges are pressure measuring instruments that measures pressure in a vessel operating at sub-atmospheric pressure. Depending on the type of vacuum system and the required operating vacuum level, different vacuum gauges (or combinations) are required, to determine and control ...
How do you fix a vacuum system leak?
Andrew Chew
Finding leaks in vacuum furnaces is a task that few people look forward to, however, it is important and necessary. Leaks happen almost always and can occur suddenly or develop over time. They can damage both the material being heat ...
What are some of the more common techniques to working with ion getter pumps?
Andrew Chew
An ion-getter pump combines the operating principles of the getter pump and the ion pump. Molecules are ionized and attracted to an active-metal cathode, where they are buried and “sputter” active metal molecules onto the system walls. The active metal ...
Which Type of Vacuum Furnace Maintenance Program is Right For Me?
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Basic vacuum furnace maintenance is an integral part of keeping a machine up and running for as long as possible. This means performing a variety of preventative maintenance tasks on a regular and semi-regular basis. This article covers many maintenance ...