LAC PKR 35/95 Controlled-Atmosphere & Vacuum Box Furnace

Overview

The LAC PKR 35/95 is a precision-engineered controlled-atmosphere and vacuum-capable box furnace designed for laboratory-scale thermal processing under reproducible, inert, reducing, or vacuum conditions. Based on the fundamental principles of resistive heating and sealed chamber thermodynamics, it enables precise thermal treatment—including annealing, tempering, brazing, sintering, and powder metallurgy—while maintaining strict atmospheric integrity. Its robust construction features a double-walled steel housing with high-efficiency ceramic fiber insulation and an optional Super Inconel® chamber capable of sustained operation up to 1100 °C. The furnace complies with DIN 17052-1 for temperature uniformity (ΔT ≤ 10 °C across usable volume), making it suitable for applications requiring traceable, GLP-aligned thermal profiles. Vacuum compatibility is achieved via standardized ISO-KF 25 or CF-35 flange interfaces (depending on configuration), enabling integration with rotary vane or turbomolecular pumps for base pressures down to 10⁻³ mbar.

Key Features

• High-integrity dual-seal furnace door with water-cooling interface (G1/2 BSP) to maintain thermal stability during extended high-temperature cycles
• Integrated HT205 programmable controller (30 programs × 15 segments, LAN interface) with real-time PID tuning, ramp/soak logic, and configurable alarm thresholds
• Independent safety limiter circuit—hardware-based, isolated from main controller—to prevent thermal runaway in case of primary control failure
• Standard gas management system including calibrated mass flow meter, adjustable pressure relief valve (4–6 mbar setpoint), and manual purge/vent valves for safe atmosphere transition
• Dual-point temperature monitoring: K-type thermocouple embedded in chamber wall + secondary thermocouple mounted on inner door surface for thermal gradient assessment
• Current-monitoring ammeter for real-time verification of heating element integrity—critical for preventive maintenance and process validation
• Compliance-ready architecture: supports optional RS232/EIA-485 serial interfaces, HTMonit supervisory software, and audit-trail-enabled data logging per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PKR 35/95 accommodates cylindrical samples up to Ø250 mm × 490 mm in length, supporting crucibles, graphite boats, quartz tubes, and custom fixtures compatible with inert or reactive atmospheres. It meets essential international standards for laboratory thermal equipment, including EN 61000-6-3 (EMC emissions), EN 61000-6-2 (immunity), and IEC 61010-1 (safety). When equipped with the optional Super Inconel® chamber and calibrated measurement loop, it satisfies ASTM E220 and ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for temperature calibration traceability. For regulated environments (e.g., aerospace material qualification or medical device sintering), the furnace can be validated per IQ/OQ protocols using third-party thermocouple mapping and uniformity testing per DIN 17052-1.

Software & Data Management

The standard HT205 controller provides local program execution and Ethernet-based remote monitoring. Optional HT200 controller adds USB host capability, expanded 30×25 segment programming, and native support for HTMonit—a Windows-based supervisory application that records time-stamped temperature, power, gas flow, and alarm events with configurable export (CSV, PDF). All logged data include user ID, timestamp, and digital signature metadata—enabling compliance with ALCOA+ data integrity principles. Optional RS232 or EIA-485 interfaces allow integration into centralized SCADA or MES platforms. Firmware updates and parameter backups are performed via secure authenticated sessions, ensuring configuration consistency across multi-unit deployments.

Applications

• Controlled-atmosphere annealing of stainless steels, Ni-based superalloys, and titanium alloys to prevent surface oxidation and decarburization
• Hydrogen-assisted brazing of aluminum and copper components in low-oxygen environments
• Vacuum sintering of tungsten carbide, hard metals, and ceramic matrix composites (CMCs)
• Thermal desorption and outgassing studies for space-grade materials under <10⁻² mbar conditions
• Calibration of thermocouples and RTDs using fixed-point cells within inert argon or nitrogen blankets
• Pre-treatment of catalyst substrates prior to catalytic activity testing under synthetic gas mixtures (e.g., 5% H₂ in N₂)

FAQ

Can the PKR 35/95 operate under full vacuum without modification?
No—it requires an externally connected vacuum pump via its ISO-KF 25 port; no internal vacuum generation is provided.
Is the Super Inconel® chamber included by default?
No—the standard chamber is stainless steel rated to 900 °C; the 1100 °C Super Inconel® chamber is an optional upgrade.
Does the furnace support automatic atmosphere switching between gases?
Not natively—the standard configuration includes single-gas inlet with manual valves; automated multi-gas switching requires custom manifold integration.
What validation documentation is supplied with the system?
Factory calibration certificates for thermocouples and pressure gauge are included; full IQ/OQ documentation packages are available upon request.
Can cooling rate be actively controlled below 600 °C?
Yes—optional forced-air or water-assisted cooling modules enable programmable cooling ramps as slow as 0.1 °C/min down to 100 °C.