Case Study: Preheat Oven for Cotton Filters K-FSU
Customer Background
| Company: | Firestone Polymers |
| Part to be Preheated: | Cotton Filters |
| Part Material: | Dense, Tightly Woven Cotton Fabric |
| Part Dimensions: | 12" Diameter x 36" Tall |
| Part Weight: | 10 lbs / each |
| Target Preheating Temperature: | 150°F |
| Number of pieces to be heated at one time: | 12 pcs total |
| Required preheat time frame: | None specified |
Project Background
Firestone Polymers supplies synthetic rubber, thermoplastic elastomers and impact modifiers to rubber, plastics, adhesive and asphalt markets around the world.The engineers had a specific preheating application that was required for very long, tightly-woven cotton filters used in their manufacturing processes. The filters had to be kept perfectly dry before use so that they functioned properly. A custom preheat oven was requested that could allow the 12" diameter filters to stand upright in the oven cavity and be heated to a specific temperature range of 140-150F. The heating elements had to be located on the sides of the oven beneath perforated steel covers so that the filters did not come in direct contact with the heating elements. Even though the temperature range was not very high, the part was very delicate and could not be damaged in any way. The filters were positioned on the inside base of the preheating oven and extended upwards.
For this particular application we designed a custom industrial oven from scratch and called it the K-FSU (FSU for Filter Storage Unit). This preheat oven is unique because no shelves were needed- the filters were loaded bulk into the oven. The heat radiates from the sides of the unit which is very useful for preheating long parts that can stand upright by themselves. This custom oven is useful for a variety of purposes, not just for storing filters. The temperature range can be modified for any application. A miniature programmable digital controller was installed for this oven so the temperature reading would remain very accurate.
K-FSU Preheat Oven Specifications
| Shelving Style: | None |
| Temperature Control: | Digital PID |
| Voltage: | 120V |
| Cycle: | 50 or 60 |
| Wattage: | 252W |
| Thermometer: | Digital Temperature Readout on PID |
| On/Off Light: | Yes |
| Insulation: | 2" |
| Thermostat Temp Range: | 50F-250F |
| Interior Dims: | 27" L x 36" W x 47"H |
| Exterior Dims: | N/A |
| Net Weight: | 300 lbs. |
| Shipping Weight: | 390 lbs. |
Oven Construction
Exterior
The K-FSU heat treating oven is constructed of carbon steel throughout. The oven exterior has a highly durable, powder-coat finish in blue that is resistant to scratching and corrosion. This a front-loading, floor-positioned preheating oven and is designed to be stored on a floor for ease of access to the parts being preheated.Forklift slots are welded to the bottom of the oven to facilitate movementThe door hinges are tack-welded to ensure smooth operation for many years. The control panel which houses the digital PID is mounted on the side of the oven with heavy-duty rivets. A standard "ON/OFF" indicating light was also provided, which is bright enough to be seen from a distance. A variety of temperature control methods are available at preheatovens.com.
Interior
The interior of the K-FSU preheat oven is fairly simple. No shelves were needed, but various shelving styles are available at preheatovens.com suitable for almost any custom preheating application. There are four 1000W tubular elements installed on the the sides of the oven which allows the heat to radiate inwards and around the oven. The elements are located behind perforated steel covers. The interior of the K-FSU preheating oven is painted with a reflective, galvanized paint and the interior welds are touched up with high-temperature aluminum paint.
All our preheating ovens are made in the USA and feature a 1-year limited manufacturer's warranty. Parts are readily available.
Design And Build Your Own Custom Industrial And Welding Ovens
Each customer often has a specific process that requires the heat treating of parts, components or materials prior to assembly. Their parts are unique in size and shape, and a customized heat treatment oven specific to the part and application is often the only solution to streamline the process. Keen is your solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a preheat oven?
We use the term preheat oven to describe an oven that is used for preheating parts before they are used in some type of application. Most of our preheat ovens are custom-designed according to the specific application being performed by a client. Many processes require the preheating of weldments before they are bonded to some other type of metal. This preheating is required to change the property of the metal part and enable it to be installed onto another part. Our ovens are used in many applications. The K-450TL hatchable oven used on ships is just one example. We have designed ovens for bowl shafts, cylinder heads, cylinder blocks, military tank transmissions and for many other types of parts.
Why is preheating steel before welding a necessary procedure?
It depends on the application requirements. Many steel components for a variety of industries require preheating to prevent problems in the weld after the job is complete. Keen's custom preheat ovens are an excellent preheating solution to many welding applications. Rather than heat each part at a time, we often have customers that load an oven with many parts at once and leave the oven on all the time. This way they have parts ready whenever they need them, at the right temperature. Each welding application has its own thermal treatment requirements, so be sure to check what is need for your next procedure.
Can this oven be modified for other applications?
Yes, absolutely. Many of our custom ovens have resulted from client requests to modify an existing oven they have seen on our website, or to one of our standard welding electrode ovens that a client may be using for welding applications. The process usually begins like this: a client finds one of our ovens that has an interior size close to what can accommodate the parts that need to be preheated, and then inquires if modifications can be done. Our engineers get to work to provide suggestions to the client as to what modifications can be done. If the modifications are not suitable, we design a new oven from scratch to fit the users needs.
Do you provide CAD drawings for review?
Yes. Keen's custom oven design process typically begins with a discussion of the various solutions we are able to provide to the client. If the client wants to proceed, we then do a CAD drawing for review that clearly outlines the custom oven design for the client to review.
Do you manufacture gas-fired ovens?
No. We only manufacture electrical ovens with a maximum temperature range of 1000°F
Are your products made in USA?
Yes. We manufacture our ovens in Louisiana.
How long have you been in business?
Henkel Enterprises, LLC, manufacturer of the Keen brand of welding ovens, flux ovens, and custom preheat ovens has been in business since 1923.
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