LAC K120/13 High-Temperature Box Furnace (1340 °C)
| Brand | LAC |
|---|---|
| Origin | Czech Republic |
| Type | Box Muffle Furnace |
| Max Temperature | 1340 °C |
| Temperature Control Accuracy | ±1 °C |
| Max Power | 10.5 kW |
| Heating Time to Max Temp | 100 min |
| Heating Element | Kanthal APM Resistance Wire |
| Internal Chamber Dimensions | 450 × 530 × 500 mm (W × H × D) |
| Standard Controller | Ceramic PID (20 programs, 15 steps each) |
| Optional Controllers | HT205 (30×15, LAN), HT200 (30×25, LAN + USB) |
| Compliance | CE, IEC 61000-6-3, IEC 61000-6-2 |
Overview
The LAC K120/13 is a high-precision, five-sided heated box muffle furnace engineered for demanding thermal processing in academic research laboratories, advanced materials development, and industrial quality control environments. Designed and manufactured in the Czech Republic by LAC, a long-established European specialist in high-temperature laboratory furnaces, this model operates up to 1340 °C with exceptional thermal uniformity and linearity across its large-volume chamber (450 × 530 × 500 mm). Its heating architecture employs Kanthal® APM resistance wire—specifically rated for continuous operation at 1340–1400 °C—mounted on all five internal surfaces (front, back, left, right, and top), minimizing axial and radial temperature gradients. This configuration ensures reproducible heat treatment cycles critical for ceramic sintering, glass annealing, ashing of composite specimens, and pre-sintering of oxide-based functional materials. The furnace complies with IEC 61000-6-2 (immunity) and IEC 61000-6-3 (emission) standards, and carries full CE marking for use within the EU regulatory framework.
Key Features
- Five-sided heating system with Kanthal APM alloy resistance elements for superior temperature homogeneity (±3 °C typical over full chamber volume at 1300 °C)
- Ceramic-insulated chamber lined with Alsint® high-purity alumina-silicate ceramic tubes, rated for sustained exposure up to 1400 °C
- Robust steel housing with double-wall construction and mineral wool insulation (≥120 mm thickness) ensuring surface temperatures <60 °C at ambient conditions
- Standard manual left-hinged door with high-temperature ceramic fiber gasket and mechanical latch system for repeatable sealing integrity
- Integrated flue port (K50–K300 variants) and manually adjustable ventilation valve for controlled atmosphere conditioning during ramp-hold-cool cycles
- Modular controller platform supporting field-upgradable digital interfaces including LAN (HT205), USB + LAN (HT200), RS232/EIA-485, and HTMonit software suite for remote monitoring and audit-trail generation
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The K120/13 accommodates a broad range of sample geometries and material classes—including green ceramic bodies, glaze-coated tiles, powdered metal compacts, refractory crucibles, and borosilicate glass substrates—within its spacious interior. Its design supports both open-atmosphere and semi-controlled thermal treatments; optional automatic ventilation valves and multi-zone heating modules (available for K500–K2000 configurations) enable fine-tuned oxygen partial pressure management during oxidation-sensitive processes. All electrical and thermal safety systems conform to EN 61000-6-2/-3, EN 61010-1 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use), and are compatible with GLP-compliant workflows when paired with HT200/HT205 controllers featuring electronic signature support and 21 CFR Part 11–ready data logging via HTMonit.
Software & Data Management
The optional HT200 and HT205 controllers provide full programmability (30 profiles × 25 or 15 steps respectively), real-time graphing, and timestamped event logging. When connected via LAN or USB, the HTMonit software suite enables centralized furnace fleet monitoring, automated report generation (PDF/CSV), and secure user-role assignment (admin/operator/auditor). All temperature setpoints, actual readings, alarm triggers, and power consumption metrics are stored with millisecond-level resolution and cryptographic hash verification—supporting traceability requirements under ISO/IEC 17025 and FDA-regulated validation protocols. Calibration certificates for measurement loops (including PtRh10-Pt thermocouples and reference junction compensation) are available upon request.
Applications
- Sintering and densification studies of alumina, zirconia, silicon carbide, and lithium-ion battery cathode precursors
- Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) pre-conditioning and residue ash quantification per ASTM E1131 and ISO 11358
- Glass tempering, annealing, and devitrification kinetics evaluation in optical and architectural glazing R&D
- Heat treatment of investment casting molds and ceramic shell assemblies prior to metal pouring
- Calibration of thermocouples and reference sensors in national metrology labs (NMI-level traceability supported)
- Pre-firing of porcelain enamel substrates and decorative ceramic ware in serial production environments
FAQ
What thermocouple type is used for temperature sensing in the K120/13?
Type S (Pt10%Rh–Pt) thermocouples are standard, certified to ITS-90 and traceable to national standards.
Is inert gas purging supported as a factory option?
Yes—custom gas inlet ports and sealed flange interfaces can be integrated; recommended for argon or nitrogen atmospheres up to 0.5 bar gauge pressure.
Can the furnace be validated for GMP compliance?
With HT200/HT205 controllers, IQ/OQ documentation packages and 21 CFR Part 11–compliant electronic records are available through LAC’s certified validation services.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for Kanthal APM heating elements?
Under normal cyclic operation (≤5 cycles/day), visual inspection every 200 h and resistance measurement every 500 h are advised; typical service life exceeds 3000 h at 1300 °C.
Is remote firmware update capability included?
Firmware updates are performed locally via USB stick; remote update functionality requires HT200/HT205 with enabled LAN interface and authorized network access.
