Nabertherm P310 Tube Furnace Standard Operating

Procedure
Samples can be loaded into the furnace before the heating process. While
the furnace is rated to 1800 C, the temperature of the furnace should not
exceed 1750C for consecutive runs in atmosphere or inert environment and
1400C in vacuum with the C799 tube (99.7% Al2O3) in use.

Loading the Sample

The sample should be placed in a crucible with/or slide.

The crucible or slide or both should be placed inside the tube by

removing the end cap, prior to heating the furnace.

At the appropriate time, push the sample into the furnace using the
push rod, torque the end cap back and TURN ON THE WATER LINE. (There
is a skill to moving the sample without tipping the crucible).

After the run elapsed, remove the end cap and then use the push rod
to retrieve the sample. Turn off the water line.

Gas Flow

Connect the appropriate gas tank, regulator, and tubing to feed gas
into the tube.

Connect the appropriate tubing to send the waste gas into the exhaust
system.

Set the flow rate and pressure for the gas.

Allow the gas to flow during the prescribed time.

Remember to turn off the gas when it is not in used.

Preparing the Furnace

Turn on the furnace with the MAIN SWITCH to ON position.

Switch power switch located next to the keyboard block to I position.

The heating chamber temperature should be displayed in the LED on the
controller.
Program the temperature controllers.

This document will only cover a simple, single-temperature

program. Additional information about programming the temperature
controllers is available in the manual.

Entering the Program

Fig. 1: P310 Keyboard Block.

To enter a program, make use of the keyboard block as shown in

figure 1 above.

The small lamp in the overview diagram on the controller shows

whether you are in a time segment (time 1, time 2, time 3, time 4, or
wait) or a temperature segment (T1, T2, T3).

Click the key 4 as labeled above to select the segment

Enter the time in minutes directly with the numerical block (2)

Use key 4 to enter the temperature in oC directly with the

numerical block

Select the next segment with key 4 (repeat the steps to enter
the time and temperature for all other segments). An illuminated lamp
in the diagram shows the respective position in program entry.

Delayed Start of the Furnace

If the furnace is to be started later, e.g. in 60 minutes, you must enter

a time in the wait segment. Press 4 for the wait segment. Enter
the time in minutes with the numerical block (2) directly.

Starting the Furnace

When you have entered all the required times and temperatures, you
can start the furnace with the start/stop key (5). Press for
approximately 2 seconds.

Saving the Program

When you have entered all the required times and temperatures, press
8 key. In the display you will see S1 (program slot #1). Select the
required program slot in which the program is to be saved with using
the numerical block (2).
Note:
The delayed time is not saved; you must enter this each time you start
the program if required.

Starting the Program

Press 1 key and select the required program number (program slot
number) that is to be started using the numerical block (2).
Press 4 key several times to check whether values entered in the
individual segments suitable for your firing sequence.
If the furnace is to start later, enter the respective waiting time ( See
Delayed Start of the Furnace).
Press start/stop key (5) for approximately 2 seconds and the
controller then start the program you entered.

NOTE: DO NOT SWITCH OFF A PROGRAM THAT IS RUNNING WITH THE POWER
SWITCH. IF YOU HAVE TO, YOU MUST FIRST PRESS START/STOP (5) KEY
OTHERWISE, WHEN YOU START THE FURNACE AGAIN, ERROR MESSAGE F90
WILL BE DISPLAYED ON THE CONTROLLER.