Touchscreen Controlled Vacuum Induction Melting Furnace for Metal Alloy Preparation and Advanced Materials Research

Product Overview

This advanced touchscreen-controlled vacuum induction melting system represents a state-of-the-art thermal processing solution designed for high-precision metallurgical research and specialized pilot production. Utilizing a horizontal front-opening configuration, the equipment combines modern industrial aesthetics with a highly functional layout that facilitates quick sample access, crucible replacement, and routine maintenance. The system is engineered to provide an optimal clean-melt environment under either vacuum or inert gas conditions, ensuring that sensitive alloys are processed without atmospheric contamination.

Primary applications span across academic institutions, industrial research centers, and specialized manufacturing plants focusing on advanced materials. The system is particularly optimized for melting vanadium-titanium alloys, high-performance stainless steels, nickel-based superalloys, copper alloys, cobalt alloys, and highly reactive rare-earth magnet materials such as neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB). Its versatile architecture also supports non-metallic metallurgy, high-temperature ceramic sintering, and graphite graphitization processes, establishing it as a multi-functional workstation for material characterization.

Designed for heavy-duty operational cycles, the system guarantees long-term reliability and thermal stability under demanding industrial and research schedules. The integration of high-grade stainless steel components, combined with a robust water-cooled jacket structure, ensures that the furnace chamber maintains its vacuum integrity and mechanical alignment over years of intense thermal cycling. Researchers and engineers can operate this equipment with complete confidence, knowing that it delivers repeatable results and meets strict safety standards.

Key Features

• Rapid Electromagnetic Induction Heating: The system utilizes a high-efficiency 15 kVA solid-state induction generator operating at 30 to 80 kHz, enabling rapid energy transfer to the metallic charge. This advanced heating method allows research technicians to melt, homogenize, and prepare samples in less than 10 minutes, significantly accelerating laboratory throughput and material testing cycles.
• Integrated Touchscreen and PLC Controller: The furnace is equipped with a programmable logic controller (PLC) mated to a high-resolution touchscreen interface. This centralized command unit provides real-time digital monitoring and recording of all critical process variables—including vacuum levels, chamber pressure, induction current, and temperature profiles—while supporting multi-level user authorization and secure USB data export for quality control audits.
• Manual Tilting and Mold Pouring Assembly: To facilitate the casting of precise geometries, the chamber houses a manual tilting mechanism that allows the operator to pour the molten metal directly into an adjacent ingot mold without breaking the vacuum or protective atmosphere. This design reduces oxidation risks and ensures that molten samples retain their elemental composition during the casting process.
• Infrared Pyrometer Temperature Control: The thermal system incorporates a high-accuracy infrared optical pyrometer that provides non-contact, real-time temperature tracking up to 2000°C (or 2400°C on high-temperature configurations). The PID control loop automatically adjusts induction power output based on pyrometric feedback, maintaining exceptional temperature stability and preventing overshoot.
• Atmosphere Management and Multi-Gas Purging: The gas manifold system supports operation under high vacuum, positive pressure inert gas (typically high-purity argon or nitrogen), or mixed atmospheric conditions. Standard configurations handle gas pressures up to 0.05 MPa, while integrated mass flow controllers permit fine-tuned gas ratios for reactive smelting processes.
• Double-Walled Water-Cooled Chamber: Built entirely from premium-grade stainless steel, the vacuum chamber features a double-walled jacket configuration with continuous water cooling. This design maintains the external shell temperature below 35°C even during continuous runs at maximum temperature, preventing thermal distortion of the chamber and protecting laboratory personnel.
• Modular Coil and Crucible Configurations: The furnace accommodates quick-change induction coils and crucible assemblies ranging in capacity from 50g to 500g (calculated using a standard steel density of 7.8 g/cm³). The package includes three specialized coils (one for 50–200g charges and two for 200–500g charges), allowing researchers to easily switch between graphite, alumina, or zirconia crucibles based on chemical compatibility.
• Extensive Structural Customization Options: To meet unique research objectives, the platform can be customized with advanced auxiliary components, including motor-driven mechanical stirrers, high-power ultrasonic agitation probes for microstructural refinement, and heated mold holders to manage solidification cooling rates.

Applications

Technical Specifications

The base model TU-RL34 is offered in three thermal configurations depending on the specific application temperature requirements: TU-RL34-17 (rated up to 1700°C), TU-RL34-20 (rated up to 2000°C), and TU-RL34-24 (rated up to 2400°C).

Why Choose This Product

• Uncompromising Material Quality and Structural Integrity: Unlike standard laboratory furnaces, this system utilizes heavy-gauge stainless steel for all vacuum-facing components, precision-welded and leak-tested using helium mass spectrometry to guarantee long-term vacuum stability.
• Industrial-Grade PLC Automation: The integration of robust PLCs instead of simple digital controllers ensures fail-safe operations. Safety interlocks prevent induction heating if water cooling pressure drops, vacuum levels deviate, or chamber doors are unlatched, safeguarding both operators and samples.
• Superior Thermal Flexibility and Modularity: With interchangeable induction coils and support for multiple crucible materials (graphite, alumina, zirconia), a single furnace can process everything from reactive titanium alloys to high-purity precious metals and technical ceramics.
• Comprehensive System Customization: We offer professional engineering support to integrate advanced features such as mechanical stirring, ultrasonic melt treatment, and heated molds, allowing researchers to build a highly tailored experimental setup.
• Global Technical Support and Maintenance: Backed by our engineering expertise, every unit comes with detailed documentation, remote diagnostic assistance, and access to a reliable supply of replacement coils, crucibles, and vacuum seals.

For more details on custom configurations, system upgrades, or to request a detailed quote, please contact our technical sales team today.