MF12 3.12
3
2.0
I
NSTALLATION
2.1
Unpacking & Handling
When unpacking or moving the furnace always lift it by its base or by both ends of the main body.
Never lift it by its work tube or the surrounding insulation. For the larger models, or where the
furnace and control box are not fixed together, use two people to carry the furnace.
Remove any packing material from inside the furnace before use.
NOTE: This product contains
Refractory Ceramic Fibre
(better described as A
lumino Silicate
Wool
) for precautions and advice in handling this material see the ‘Repairs and Replacements’
section.
2.2
Siting
Place the furnace in a well ventilated room, away from other sources of heat, and on a surface
which is resistant to accidental spillage of hot materials. Do not mount the furnace on an
inflammable surface.
Ensure that there is free space around the furnace. Do not obstruct any of the vents in the control
section: they are needed to keep the controls cool.
Ensure that the furnace is placed in such a way that it can be quickly switched off or disconnected
from the electrical supply - see below.
2.3
Setting Up
A furnace ordered for vertical use has a small clip or plate at one end to prevent a wound tube
element or a work tube from slipping downwards. Mount the furnace so that this clip is at the
bottom. In models with one thermocouple the thermocouple should be near the top rather than the
bottom.
If the furnace is supplied with a separate work tube or any accessories fit these into position.
For optimum temperature uniformity, insulating plugs should be placed in the tube ends as shown
in fig.1. With a long work tube, the stem of the plug assembly should line up with the end of the
tube as in fig.2. Alignment of radiation shields is similar to that of plugs.
If stainless steel seals with gas inlets are supplied they are to be fitted as shown in fig.3; the stem
of any insulating plug should touch the seal.
Stainless steel seals for vertical use:
a hook and eye
arrangement holds the upper insulating plug assembly; alternatively a gland nut.
Horizontal models:
if heavy fittings are to be clamped to the end of an extended work tube they
can increase the bending stress at the centre of the tube. Support such fittings in such a way that
expansion of the tube is allowed.
If a metal work tube is being used in the furnace, ensure that it is earthed. In the case of wound-
tube models (TZF) it should be mounted so as not to touch the furnace ceramic tube. See the safety
warning in section 3.4.
