Precautions for using a vertical vacuum hot press furnace
09-18-2025 Author: KJ technology
Vertical vacuum hot press furnace is a precision equipment used for material sintering and heat treatment in high temperature and high pressure environments. During its use, it is necessary to strictly follow the operating specifications and safety precautions. The following are key precautions when using a vertical vacuum hot press furnace:
1. Preparation before operation
Equipment inspection:
Check whether the furnace body, vacuum system, heating system, pressure system, cooling system and other components are intact, without leakage, looseness or damage.
Confirm that the gas supply system (such as nitrogen, argon, etc.) is connected correctly, the gas purity meets the process requirements, and the gas cylinder pressure is sufficient.
Check whether the temperature controller, pressure gauge, vacuum gauge and other instruments are calibrated and display accurately.
Environmental requirements:
Ensure that the surrounding environment of the equipment is clean, free of flammable and explosive materials, and well ventilated.
Check if the power supply voltage is stable, meets the equipment requirements, and is well grounded.
Workpiece preparation:
Prepare the workpiece according to the process requirements, ensuring that the size, shape, and material of the workpiece meet the equipment specifications.
Clean the surface of the workpiece, remove oil stains, impurities, etc., and avoid polluting the furnace environment.
2. Precautions during operation
Vacuum system operation:
Before vacuuming, ensure that the furnace door is tightly closed and the sealing gasket is free of damage or foreign objects.
When vacuuming, first turn on the mechanical pump and wait for the vacuum degree to reach a certain value before turning on the Roots pump (if equipped) to avoid overloading the Roots pump.
Monitor the changes in vacuum level to ensure that the required vacuum level is achieved before proceeding to the next step.
Heating system operation:
When setting the heating temperature, it is necessary to reasonably set the heating rate and insulation time according to the material characteristics and process requirements.
Avoid sudden temperature fluctuations to prevent thermal shock to workpieces and equipment.
Monitor the working status of the heating element. If any abnormalities are found (such as uneven redness, breakage, etc.), the machine should be stopped immediately for inspection.
Pressure system operation:
Before applying pressure, ensure that the workpiece is placed smoothly and the indenter is in good contact with the workpiece.
Gradually apply pressure according to process requirements to avoid equipment damage or workpiece deformation caused by excessive pressure.
Monitor pressure changes to ensure that the pressure remains stable within the set range.
Gas inlet operation:
Before introducing gas, ensure that the furnace has reached a certain degree of vacuum to avoid gas reacting with residual air inside the furnace.
Select the appropriate gas type and flow rate according to the process requirements to avoid excessive or insufficient gas flow rate affecting the process effect.
After introducing gas, monitor the pressure changes inside the furnace to ensure that the pressure remains stable within the set range.
Cooling system operation:
After sintering or heat treatment, cooling should be carried out according to the process requirements. Natural cooling, air cooling, or water cooling can be used.
If using water cooling, it is necessary to ensure sufficient cooling water flow and appropriate water temperature to avoid equipment damage caused by insufficient cooling water.
During the cooling process, avoid opening the furnace door or performing other operations to avoid affecting the cooling effect or causing safety accidents.
3. Safety protection measures
Personal protection:
Operators are required to wear personal protective equipment such as protective goggles, gloves, and clothing to avoid harm from high temperatures, high pressures, or harmful gases.
During operation, avoid direct contact with high-temperature components or high-temperature gases inside the furnace.
Equipment safety:
Ensure good grounding of the equipment to avoid electric leakage or shock accidents.
Set up safety warning signs around the equipment to remind operators to pay attention to safety.
Regularly conduct safety inspections and maintenance on equipment to ensure that it is in good working condition.
Emergency Management:
Develop emergency plans and clarify the measures to be taken in case of equipment failure, gas leakage, fire and other emergencies.
Equip necessary emergency rescue equipment and devices, such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, etc.
Regularly provide emergency training and drills for operators to improve their emergency response capabilities.
4. Post operation maintenance
Equipment cleaning:
After sintering or heat treatment, promptly clean the residue and impurities inside the furnace to maintain its cleanliness.
Clean the sealing gasket and observation window of the furnace door to ensure good sealing and clear observation.
Component inspection:
Check the working status of heating elements, pressure sensors, vacuum gauges, and other components. If any abnormalities are found, they should be replaced or repaired in a timely manner.
Check whether the gas supply system, cooling system and other pipelines and valves are leaking or blocked, and promptly deal with them.
Record retention:
Record the process parameters such as time, temperature, pressure, and vacuum degree of each operation for subsequent analysis and improvement.
Save equipment maintenance records and fault handling records to provide a basis for equipment management and maintenance.
