Boilers, Ovens and Fernaces

A number of research facilities in universities and industry developing new petroleum products in their combustion labs, are using this dual technique.

A manufacturer of saline solution had problems burning out elements every month costing thousands of dollars in down time and repair. A thermal system analysis determined that the failures were due to the thermocouple being located on the heated product far from the elements. A small system was installed controlling the actual elements to protect them from excessive temperatures. Since installing four years ago, there has not been a single replacement of an element.

Many companies have old ovens that they use for curing or heat treating parts. Sometimes the oven manufacturer is no longer in business. Sometimes the controls are old and replacement is not easy. ASA has taken the control panel and updated it with digital controls, solid state power devices and high limits. For those who really want a "like new” oven, ASA has cleaned, painted and completely refurbished the oven.

An electronics manufacturer had a variety of hot plates used for soldering parts. A new ASA design improved the safety for the operator and reduced the temperature variation across the surface of the plate

A manufacturer of Fiber Optic cables was importing small curing ovens. They requested that ASA review the design and offer recommendations for improvement. After several meetings, a new improved version was designed. It incorporated state of the art 3 mode digital temperature control, solid state switching devices, timers, audible alarms 'and insulation designed to protect the controls. The end, result was an oven that improved the quality and time of the cure, was easier and safer for the operators to use and allowed more cables to be cured at one time.

An aerospace manufacturer of silicone chips used for high s speed data transmission required that moisture be kept out of pipes carrying special gasses. A small sub panel with thermocouple, solid-state relay and pipe tracing tape with insulation was retro fitted to the existing gas lines. This installation eliminated moisture and solved the problem.

A manufacturer of pacemakers had strict requirements to test the units to assure performance at exactly 98.4 degrees. ASA assembled a lexan oven where all testing could be observed. Because the heater was a distance from where the heat was to be concentrated, a "cascade" control was employed.

A manufacturer of artificial hearts had problems with silicone heaters in tanks coming separated and burning up. ASA was able to change to high temperature blanket heaters with controllers protecting the heaters. They no longer have this problem of destroying heaters.

A manufacturer of airplane interiors had been using strip heaters in their presses to form plastic parts. After consult ting with engineering at ASA, it was decided to change to large aluminum platens drilled for cartridge heaters. Also, a multi-zone Anafaze control panel was selected to maintain selected temperature. This resulted in closer temperature tolerances and better formed parts with less scrap.

A radiant panel array with six zones was designed and built for the manufacturing of filter media. Three sets of heater panel are positioned vertically facing each other. A conveyor transports a continuous filter media between the arrays. IR sensors detect the temperature of the media and temperature controls cause the heater panels to drive moisture from the product. The heater array stands over 20 feet high and four feet wide. By selecting the appropriate push button, the panel will accommodate 18", 24" and 36" wide product.