Innovative Wire Conveyor Drive System in Industrial Infrared Furnaces

Abstract

The main heat transfer mechanism in industrial infrared furnaces is the radiation. Thus, the view factor between the thermal power source infrared resistance and the material exposed to heat treatment is important. In traditional infrared furnaces wire mesh conveyors are preferred, but because the wire mesh conveyor is very frequent, heating can only be applied towards one surface of the material. For this reason, the conveyor speed is slowed down or the useful length of the furnace is increased in order to achieve temperature homogeneity and the desired capacity, especially on thick-section materials. With the innovative independent driven wire conveyor system developed within the scope of the study, different from traditional furnaces, heating can be applied bidirectionally, and thus, it has become possible to manufacture more compact furnaces. In addition, with the spare wires included in the conveyor system, in case of a possible malfunction or breakage, wire replacement is facilitated and maintenance times are reduced to a minimum. The aforementioned wire conveyor system has been protected by a patent application.