Case Study
Case study: Long Wave Composite Curing Oven
Ceramicx developed a composite curing oven, which was embedded in a robotic press cell for a variety of composite systems. The oven used Ceramicx long-wave heaters, which were mounted in a stainless steel framework with Ceramicx propriety reflector material used to increase the efficiency. Refractory board was used to keep the high oven temperature. The power use of this product is only a fraction of that which is quoted due to the high efficiency of the long-wave emitters, which were employed. Ceramicx control system integrated seamlessly with the robotic press’s system enabling recipes to be defined and executed from one overall HMI.
An important fail safe feature was also included. The top and bottom panel of heaters are able to retract away from the material if there is a sudden stoppage.
| Total Power: | 180 kW |
| Power Supply: | 3 x 400V + N + PE |
| Maximum Current/Phase: | 315A |
| Upper Element Type: | Long Wave Ceramic SFEH Elements |
| Lower Element Type: | Long Wave Ceramic SFEH Elements |
| Total Heating Power: | 179.2 kW |
| Control channels: | 56 |
| Control type: | 56 zone closed loop control with embedded TC/K feedback |
| Controller: | Siemens S7 1513 |
| Control interface: | Siemens HMI TP1500 |
| Power control: | Siemens HCS 4200 system |
| Control feedback: | Embedded TC/K |
| Footprint: | 2.34m x 2.2m |
| Oven length (entry to exit): | 2.34m |
| Approvals: | CE |
