How is the glass tempering furnace heated? What should be noted in operation control

Glass tempering furnace is an indispensable equipment in the heat treatment industry, used to improve the hardness, strength, and wear resistance of glass. There are various types of glass tempering furnaces, and the heating methods are also different. So, how is the glass tempering furnace heated? What should be noted in operation control? Here, we would like to give some innformation:

1. How is the glass tempering furnace heated?

1.1. Radiation heating

Radiation heating is a way of transferring heat through radiant heat energy, without the need for a medium to transfer heat. In glass tempering furnaces, electric heating coils or burners are usually used as radiation sources. These heating sources generate high-temperature radiation energy, which is transmitted to the workpiece through radiation.

Electric heating coil: The electric heating coil in a glass tempering furnace is usually made of high resistance wire, which generates high temperature and emits infrared radiation after being electrified. The workpiece absorbs this radiation energy, and the temperature gradually rises to reach the required heat treatment temperature.

Burner: Some fiberglass tempering furnaces use burners as radiation sources. The burner burns fuel and produces a high-temperature flame. The thermal radiation generated by the flame is absorbed by the workpiece, causing it to heat up.

1.2. Natural convection

Natural convection is the transfer of heat through the spontaneous flow of gases or liquids caused by temperature differences. In a glass tempering furnace, uneven temperature distribution can be generated by setting heating elements at different positions, thereby achieving natural convection heating of the workpiece.

1.3. Forced convection with heat balance tubes

This is an improved convection method that evenly distributes heat by installing a heat balance tube in the glass tempering furnace. Heat balance tubes are usually made of metal and filled with heat conducting liquid inside. It can evenly distribute heat and improve heating efficiency.

1.4. Forced convection of fan

The forced convection of the fan is achieved by installing a fan in the glass tempering furnace to force air flow and evenly transfer heat. This method is usually used in situations that require faster and more uniform heating, such as large workpieces or large capacity glass tempering furnaces

2 What should be noted in the heating operation control of the glass tempering furnace?

.2.1. Control heating speed

The heating speed of the glass tempering furnace is controlled by adjusting the heating power. The heating speed determines the time required for the workpiece to reach the desired temperature. Faster heating rates typically result in higher hardness, while slower heating rates lead to lower hardness. The selection of heating speed depends on the type of workpiece and specific heat treatment requirements.

2.2. Control insulation time and cooling speed

The length of insulation time directly affects the changes in the crystal structure of the workpiece. Usually, the longer the insulation time, the more thorough the change in crystal structure and the higher the hardness. The insulation time can be controlled by adjusting the heating power and temperature. The cooling speed is also important for the hardness and performance of the workpiece. A faster cooling rate leads to higher hardness, while a slower cooling rate leads to lower hardness.

2.3. Temperature monitoring and feedback control

Glass tempering furnaces are usually equipped with temperature monitoring and feedback control systems to ensure that the required heating temperature is reached and maintained stably. These systems can automatically adjust the heating power to cope with temperature fluctuations and changes. Data recording and analysis during the operation of the glass tempering furnace are also important for ensuring consistency and quality control. By monitoring the data of heating, insulation, and cooling processes, potential problems can be identified and adjustments can be made.