LAC VP-02-17 High-Temperature Muffle Furnace (1700 °C)

Overview

The LAC VP-02-17 is a high-precision, laboratory-grade muffle furnace engineered for sustained operation at temperatures up to 1700 °C. Designed and manufactured by LAC s.r.o.—a Czech Republic–based industrial furnace specialist with over 15 years of experience in thermal equipment development—the VP-02-17 employs a robust Kanthal A1 (Fe–Cr–Al) resistance heating element housed within a double-layered, fiber-ceramic insulated chamber. Its muffle architecture isolates samples from combustion byproducts and heating-element emissions, ensuring contamination-free thermal processing under inert or ambient atmospheric conditions. The furnace operates on the principle of resistive radiant heating, with heat uniformly distributed via optimized cavity geometry and low-thermal-conductivity insulation. It is intended for applications requiring precise thermal profiles—including ashing, calcination, sintering, heat treatment, and pre-firing—across materials science, metallurgy, ceramics, dental laboratories, and advanced R&D environments.

Key Features

• Maximum operating temperature of 1700 °C, certified for continuous duty at ≤1650 °C
• Compact 2 L chamber with internal dimensions of 130 × 150 × 135 mm, optimized for sample uniformity and thermal stability
• Double-walled construction with high-purity ceramic fiber insulation (density ≥128 kg/m³), minimizing surface temperature rise and energy consumption
• Frameless, rust-resistant stainless steel housing reinforced with circumferential metal bands for structural integrity under thermal cycling
• Fire-resistant muffle door with integrated safety limit switch that de-energizes heating elements upon forced opening
• Industrial-grade programmable PID controller with real-time clock, supporting up to 30 independent thermal programs, each comprising up to 15 ramp-hold segments
• Type B thermocouple (platinum–rhodium 30/6) mounted at the chamber ceiling for accurate top-zone temperature feedback
• Quiet solid-state relay (SSR) switching system, eliminating mechanical contact wear and reducing electromagnetic interference
• Integrated cooling fan for controlled post-cycle cooldown and extended component service life
• Standard 220 V single-phase power supply; optional 380 V three-phase variants available for higher-capacity models

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The VP-02-17 accommodates crucibles and sample holders made from alumina, silicon carbide, zirconia, and platinum-group metals—compatible with oxidizing, inert (N₂, Ar), or vacuum-assisted atmospheres (when used with optional air-purge or gas-tight retrofit kits). Its design conforms to fundamental safety and quality benchmarks including CSN EN ISO 9001:2001 for manufacturing process control. While not intrinsically rated for hazardous area use, it meets general-purpose electrical safety requirements per IEC 61010-1 (2010) for laboratory equipment. The furnace supports GLP-compliant workflows through optional RS-232/RS-485 serial interfaces, enabling integration with validated data acquisition systems and audit-trail-capable software for temperature logging and cycle verification.

Software & Data Management

The embedded controller supports time-stamped event logging (power-on, setpoint changes, alarm triggers, program completion) stored internally for retrieval via front-panel display. When equipped with the optional RS-232/RS-485 interface, the VP-02-17 communicates with third-party SCADA platforms or LAC’s proprietary temperature cycle monitoring software—capable of generating graphical thermal profiles, exporting CSV-formatted datasets, and maintaining electronic records compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (when deployed with appropriate user access controls and electronic signature modules). All firmware updates are delivered via secure USB or serial protocol, preserving configuration integrity during maintenance.

Applications

• Ceramic and refractory material sintering (e.g., alumina, cordierite, silicon nitride)
• Metallurgical ash analysis and residue quantification per ASTM E1755 and ISO 1171
• Dental porcelain firing and investment burnout in prosthodontic laboratories
• Pre-sintering of battery cathode precursors (LiCoO₂, NMC) and solid-state electrolyte synthesis
• Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) sample preparation and reference standard conditioning
• Jewelry investment casting dewaxing and mold preheating
• Research-scale glass frit melting and glaze development
• Quality assurance testing of high-temperature insulation materials

FAQ

What is the maximum recommended continuous operating temperature?
The VP-02-17 is rated for continuous operation at up to 1650 °C; 1700 °C is specified as the absolute upper limit for short-duration (<30 min) thermal excursions.
Can this furnace be used under inert gas atmosphere?
Yes—when fitted with an optional gas inlet port and purge manifold, the chamber can be purged with nitrogen or argon to suppress oxidation during heat treatment.
Is the controller compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 for regulated laboratories?
The base controller does not include electronic signature or audit-trail functionality; however, when paired with validated external software and hardware authentication layers, full Part 11 compliance is achievable.
What type of thermocouple is installed, and where is it located?
A Type B (Pt–30%Rh / Pt–6%Rh) thermocouple is factory-mounted at the top center of the furnace chamber to monitor muffle zone temperature with ±1.5 °C accuracy across 1000–1700 °C.
Does the furnace include overtemperature protection?
Yes—a redundant overtemperature cutoff circuit, independent of the main controller, interrupts power if chamber temperature exceeds 1750 °C.