LAC KE125/12 High-Capacity Box-Type Muffle Furnace (1280 °C)
| Brand | LAC |
|---|---|
| Origin | Czech Republic |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | KE125/12 |
| Instrument Type | Box-Type Muffle Furnace |
| Maximum Operating Temperature | 1280 °C |
| Temperature Control Accuracy | ±1 °C |
| Rated Power | 9 kW |
| Heating Time to Max Temperature | 150 min |
| Heating Method | Resistance Wire (NiCr Alloy) |
| Internal Chamber Dimensions | 500 × 500 × 500 mm (W × H × D) |
| Control System | PID-Based Digital Temperature Controller |
Overview
The LAC KE125/12 is a high-capacity, laboratory-grade box-type muffle furnace engineered for precise thermal processing of advanced ceramic, glass, and composite materials. Designed and manufactured in the Czech Republic by LAC s.r.o.—a long-standing European specialist in industrial and research thermal equipment—the KE125/12 operates on the principle of radiant and convective heat transfer within an insulated, refractory-lined chamber. Its robust construction features triple-wall insulation (ceramic fiber + insulating brick), ensuring uniform temperature distribution, minimal thermal loss, and stable operation at sustained temperatures up to 1280 °C. The furnace complies with IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC emissions) and IEC 61000-6-2 (immunity), and its safety architecture meets EN 60519-1 requirements for industrial electroheating equipment. It is routinely deployed in R&D laboratories, university materials science departments, and ISO 17025-accredited testing facilities where reproducible, traceable thermal profiles are essential for process qualification and material certification.
Key Features
- High-stability PID temperature control system with ±1 °C accuracy across the full operating range (room temperature to 1280 °C)
- Triple-sided heating configuration (left, right, and rear walls) ensures radial symmetry and minimizes axial temperature gradients
- Refractory chamber lined with high-purity alumina-silica ceramic fiber (HT-1400 grade), rated for continuous use at 1280 °C
- Manually operated left-hinged door with high-temperature sealing gasket and mechanical latch for repeatable closure force
- Integrated air inlet valve (manually adjustable) and configurable exhaust port for controlled atmosphere conditioning (e.g., ambient air, inert gas purge)
- Modular controller options support GLP/GMP-compliant data integrity: HT40AL (dual ramp/soak), HT200 (30 programs × 25 steps, USB + LAN), or HT205 (30 × 15 steps, LAN only)
- Front-panel analog voltage output (0–10 V) for external data logging and SCADA integration
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The KE125/12 accommodates large-format samples and multi-position crucible arrays—ideal for batch processing of ceramic green bodies, investment casting molds, glaze test tiles, and sintering substrates. Its 500 mm cubic chamber enables uniform thermal exposure for specimens up to 450 mm in height or diameter. The furnace supports ASTM C865 (sintering shrinkage), ISO 10545-9 (ceramic tile firing), and DIN 51069-2 (refractory thermal stability) test protocols. When equipped with optional HT200 or HT205 controllers, it provides full audit trail capability—including user login timestamps, parameter change logs, and real-time setpoint/actual temperature traces—meeting FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records in regulated environments.
Software & Data Management
LAC’s proprietary furnace control software (compatible with HT200/HT205 controllers) runs on Windows-based PCs and enables remote monitoring, program editing, and real-time graphing of up to four thermocouple channels (optional). All controllers feature non-volatile memory with battery-backed RAM to retain programs during power interruption. Calibration functions include independent offset adjustment for each thermocouple input channel and verification of measurement loop linearity per IEC 60584-2. Data export is supported in CSV and XML formats, facilitating import into LIMS platforms or statistical process control (SPC) tools such as JMP or Minitab.
Applications
- Low-temperature binder burnout (200–600 °C) of ceramic and metal injection molded (MIM) parts
- High-temperature sintering of oxide and non-oxide ceramics (Al2O3, ZrO2, SiC, Si3N4)
- Firing and annealing of architectural and decorative glass-ceramics
- Thermal cycling tests per MIL-STD-810G Method 502.6
- Heat treatment of metallurgical samples prior to microstructural analysis (SEM/EDS, XRD)
- Calibration reference source for secondary temperature sensors in metrology labs
FAQ
What thermocouple type is recommended for accurate measurement at 1280 °C?
Type S (Pt/Pt–10% Rh) or Type R thermocouples are specified for long-term stability and NIST-traceable calibration at this temperature range.
Can the furnace be operated under a nitrogen or argon atmosphere?
Yes—when fitted with the optional sealed door gasket kit and flow-controlled inlet/outlet ports, the KE125/12 supports inert gas purging with leak rates <1 × 10−3 mbar·L/s.
Is the internal chamber floor reinforced for heavy load applications?
Standard configuration includes a removable alumina tile floor; optional bottom protection plate (SiC-reinforced cordierite) is available for loads exceeding 25 kg.
Does LAC provide factory calibration documentation with NIST traceability?
Each unit ships with a Certificate of Conformance and optional UKAS-accredited calibration certificate (per ISO/IEC 17025) upon request.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for the heating elements and insulation?
Resistance wire elements require visual inspection every 200 operational hours; ceramic fiber insulation should be assessed for compression or cracking after 1,000 h at >1100 °C.
