The Facerom Furnace graphite pusher system features a variable speed pusher, with options for an atmosphere debinding furnace, high-temperature sintering furnace, cooling tunnel, load locks, and a work box unloading mechanism.
The system is fully integrated for automated operation, featuring optional conveyor queuing designs. Precision gate valves and proximity switches, combined with vacuum load locks, maintain a clean, oxygen-free environment that enhances process cleanliness and prolongs the lifespan of the hot zone.
The hot zone is specifically engineered for precise thermal control during solid-state and liquid-phase sintering. An optional debinding zone employs a hot wall furnace with an alloy retort to isolate and remove binders, directing them to a thermal oxidizer for low emissions and clean operation.
What is a Pusher Furnace
A Pusher Furnace, or Pusher-Type Furnace, is an industrial furnace designed for continuous heat treatment operations, commonly used in high-volume production. It facilitates the steady movement of workpieces or materials through heating, soaking, and cooling phases by pushing them through the furnace.
The primary characteristic of a Pusher Furnace is its pusher mechanism, which advances workpieces or materials along a set path within the furnace. This mechanism uses a series of pusher plates or rams to move the load from one end of the furnace to the opposite end.
The typical operation of a Pusher Furnace encompasses the following steps:
Unloading: After the heat treatment process concludes, the workpieces are removed from the pusher plates or rams at the furnace exit for subsequent processing or handling.
Loading: Workpieces or materials designated for heat treatment are placed onto the pusher plates or rams outside the furnace.
Pushing: The pusher mechanism advances the workpieces through the furnace at a regulated speed, guaranteeing they remain in each temperature zone long enough to achieve proper heat treatment.
Heating Zone: The furnace is segmented into multiple temperature zones. Upon entering, the workpieces pass through the heating zone, where burners or electric heating elements elevate the temperature to the required level.
Soaking Zone: Within the soaking zone, workpieces are maintained at a set temperature for a defined duration to ensure uniform heating and the completion of targeted material transformations.
Cooling Zone: Following the soaking zone, the workpieces are advanced through a cooling zone where they are gradually brought down to the target temperature using methods such as fans, water sprays, or other cooling techniques.
Pusher Furnaces are widely utilized in processes like annealing, normalizing, and reheating of steel billets, slabs, and rods within the steel industry. They are recognized for their capacity to manage high production volumes while delivering consistent heat treatment and precise temperature regulation.
Pusher Furnace designs and features can differ depending on application demands and manufacturer specifications. Variants may incorporate additional elements such as atmosphere control systems, quenching functions, or protective gas environments to address the precise requirements of the heat treatment process.
Pusher Furnace Specifications
- The furnace is equipped with two pushers, one assigned to each row.
- Mounted on cast point rollers supported by HK Alloy cast rails.
- Capacities range from 150 kg/hr to 1500 kg/hr, contingent on the cycle duration.
- The operating temperature is 790ºC, with a maximum temperature capacity of 900ºC.
- Temperature regulation is managed automatically using PID controllers paired with thermocouples.
- The heaters are positioned on both sides of the furnace chamber, installed vertically from the top.
- Controlled cooling is achieved through SS 304 cooling pipes combined with a blower featuring manual damper control.
- It is suitable for case depth variations ranging from 0.06mm to 0.08mm.
- Key benefits include reduced gas consumption, shorter carburization durations, and minimal heat loss.
Pusher Furnace Advantages
Reduced Cycle Time
Facerom’s Continuous Pusher Furnace offers reduced cycle times relative to batch processing, resulting in increased throughput and lower heat treatment costs per unit.
Less Power Consumption
Continuous Pusher furnaces are engineered to sustain stable temperatures and reduce the necessity for multiple heating cycles. Their continuous operation ensures efficient energy utilization.
Requires Less Floor Space
Continuous Pusher type furnaces are engineered to handle materials in a linear, continuous flow, removing the requirement for extensive batch processing spaces and enabling a more compact design.
Good Carburizing Quality
Facerom’s Continuous Pusher Furnace maintains a controlled atmosphere throughout, optimizing effectiveness for carburizing. The steady material flow promotes uniform case hardening.
Low Heat Dissipation
The Pusher furnace utilizes advanced insulation materials with low thermal conductivity to minimize heat loss through the walls and maintain stable internal temperatures.
Pusher Furnace Types
Gas Fired
The continuous pusher type furnace’s gas option utilizes natural gas as the main energy source, enabling the achievement of high temperatures suitable for applications demanding intense heat. It is particularly well-suited for annealing and hardening steel components.
Electrically Heated
The electric version of the Continuous Pusher type Furnace operates on electricity, offering accurate temperature control. It is well-suited for heat treatments that demand precise thermal profiles, such as annealing and tempering.
