DTI-1251 Indexing Conveyor Oven

CUSTOMER DIRECTIVE

Our customer wanted to create an indexing single part flow inert atmosphere production furnace system to match, and seamlessly integrate into, the customer’s entire existing manufacturing process at a production rate of 45 seconds part to part. The customer’s then existing process included inefficient batch furnace staging of parts at this point in the process.

DESCRIPTION

The DTI-1251 indexing conveyor oven is used in the testing of sensors utilized in the automotive industry. As the parts are heated in the oven chamber gases internal to the parts expand. The oven simulates conditions that will be experienced by the parts during normal operation of the vehicle.

The oven conveying system operates in an indexing configuration. Parts are loaded into custom product trays and index into the heated chamber. The index distance and time are based on predetermined parameters to meet the testing requirements. The conveying system features extensions on the entrance and exit ends for loading and unloading product. The oven system includes a heated zone and a cooling zone. After completion of the heating cycle the parts are indexed into the cooling chamber and cooled to a safe temperature for handling.

The furnace is equipped with two pneumatic vertical doors, one at each end, and divided into two heating sections: one ramp section and one soak section. The furnace utilizes top and bottom mounted electric elements with multiple zones of independent temperature control within each heating section. The placement and division of the heating elements allows the end user to fine tune the ramp and soak temperature profiles.

A forced cooling section is located at the exit end of the furnace structure, also within the inert environment of the machine. After cooling from ~600° C to near ambient temperatures, a 3-axis pick-n-place removes each part from the furnace tray and places the part in the exit end airlock vestibule, maintaining the atmosphere within the furnace. The part is then conveyed out of the airlock via the shuttle table and removed from the furnace system.

FEATURES

Indexing Conveyor Oven Features

• The oven includes a structural steel frame internal to the insulated walls that supports the entire system
• The oven interior is constructed of aluminized steel.
• The oven exterior is constructed of coated carbon steel and painted.
• The conveying system consists of oven class chain with custom product carriers attached to the chain.
• The oven utilizes one (1) electric heater controlled by SCR.
• The oven utilizes one (1) exhaust fan.
• Airflow within the heated chamber and cooling chamber is a vertical down pattern with air being impinged on the product from above.
• The index time of the conveying system is adjustable to provide production flexibility