This course is part of the The Vacuum Thermal Academy

Below are a set of links to articles from our Engineering and Mechanical Systems brands, including Engineering News-Record, . These articles provide in-depth analysis of specific projects, with photos, drawings, specifications, detailed descriptions, and design solutions. Click on each link below, read the article then complete the quiz to earn your credit and certificate of completion.

The type and reliability of instrumentation and process controls used on vacuum furnaces in the heat treatment industry is critical to both the performance of the vacuum furnace itself as well as the results that are achieved when processing critical components. This course offers a look at advanced technologies in furnace controls and describes how they should be updated every few years.

Vacuum Maintenance (Part 1)
Patchwork repairs (that all too often become permanent) and temporary fixes are poor substitutes for properly planned and well-executed maintenance activities. But how do we accomplish this? Let’s learn more. Having a good preventive-maintenance (PM) program for your vacuum equipment ensures years of reliable operation.
Daniel H. Herring

What Constitutes a Good, Workable Vacuum Maintenance Program (Part 2)
The second part of this vacuum preventive-maintenance (PM) explores the need for understanding the heat-treat process(es) and comparing design ratings/limitations of the equipment. It also discusses what to expect from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or third-party supplier.s.
Daniel H. Herring

Vacuum Furnace Hot Zone Upgrade and Improvement
Vacuum furnace users encounter unique maintenance issues. Hot-zone longevity has been an issue that can be improved by using carbon composite (CC) products. CC plate is used for hot-face protection and CC profiles for edge protection. A complete CC hot zone has been developed that provides an extremely hard-wearing surface designed to withstand gas erosion and accidental operator damage.
Jez Higham

Titanium Gettering for Vacuum Furnace Brazing
Titanium turnings are an excellent “gettering” agent for use in vacuum brazing furnaces and are best used as part of a shop’s furnace maintenance schedule. Because titanium is highly reactive with oxygen, it will readily react with any available oxygen in the vacuum furnace to form tenacious titanium oxides during furnace heating, thus effectively reducing the amount of free oxygen moving about in the furnace chamber during any brazing process.
Dan Kay

Critical Areas in Vacuum Furnace Preventive Maintenance
Regularly scheduled maintenance of vacuum furnaces ensures a safe operational environment for the equipment and the people working with the furnace. This article discusses a variety of vacuum-furnace components and concerns that need to be properly and periodically maintained.
Reàl J. Fradette and William R. Jones

Photo courtesy of SECO/VACUUM