Do experimental multi zone rotary furnaces need regular maintenance?

The experimental multi zone rotary furnace requires regular maintenance, which is a key measure to ensure long-term stable operation of the equipment, reliability of experimental results, and operational safety. Regular maintenance can not only extend the lifespan of equipment, but also detect potential faults in advance, avoiding experimental interruptions or safety accidents caused by unexpected problems. The following is a specific analysis:

1. The necessity of regular maintenance
Ensure experimental accuracy
The accuracy of the temperature control system (such as thermocouples and PID controllers) and the rotary mechanism (such as motors and drive belts) of the multi zone rotary furnace will decrease over time. Regularly calibrating the temperature zone (with a deviation of ≤± 1 ℃) and checking the rotation speed (with a deviation of ≤± 5%) can ensure experimental repeatability.
For example, if the aging of the thermocouple leads to temperature measurement deviation, it may cause the sintering temperature to deviate from the set value, directly affecting the material properties.
Prevent equipment malfunctions
Heating elements (such as silicon carbon rods and silicon molybdenum rods) are prone to oxidation and fracture at high temperatures. Regular inspections can replace aging elements in advance to avoid uncontrolled furnace temperature.
The inner wall of the furnace tube may be scratched or perforated due to material adhesion or corrosion. Regular cleaning and testing can prevent gas leakage or sample contamination.
Ensure operational safety
The aging of electrical systems (such as power lines and grounding wires) may cause leakage or short circuits. Regular inspection of insulation performance and grounding resistance can reduce the risk of electric shock.
The sealing ring of a vacuum rotary furnace (such as a fluororubber O-ring) may harden and crack due to high temperature and chemical corrosion. Regular replacement can maintain the vacuum degree (such as ≤ 10Pa) and prevent atmosphere leakage from causing explosions or poisoning.

2. The core content of regular maintenance
A. Daily maintenance (after each experiment)
Cleaning furnace tube: Use a soft bristled brush or vacuum cleaner to remove residual materials, and prohibit scratching with hard objects to prevent scratching the inner wall.
Check the rotation function: manually rotate the furnace tube to confirm that there is no jamming or abnormal noise, and observe whether the speed display is consistent with the set value.
Record operational data, including temperature curve, rotational speed, atmosphere flow rate, etc., to provide a basis for subsequent analysis of equipment status.
B. Periodic maintenance (weekly/monthly)
Electrical system inspection:
Measure the stability of the power supply voltage (fluctuation range ≤± 5%) and check if the wiring inside the control cabinet is loose.
Use a megohmmeter to check the insulation resistance of the heating element to ground (should be ≥ 1M Ω), and replace the element if it is lower than the standard.
Lubrication of mechanical components:
Apply high-temperature lubricating grease (such as molybdenum disulfide) to rotating bearings, transmission chains, and other parts to reduce wear and noise.
Check if the operating current of the motor is normal (such as within ± 10% of the rated current), and stop the machine for maintenance if there is any abnormality.
Atmosphere system detection:
Use soapy water to check if there is any air leakage at the gas pipeline interface, with a focus on inspecting flanges, valves, and other parts.
Verify the accuracy of the quality flow meter (with a deviation of ≤± 1%) to ensure accurate gas flow control.
C. Deep maintenance (every six months/year)
Heating system calibration:
Use a standard thermometer (such as a platinum rhodium 10 platinum thermocouple) to verify the temperature control accuracy of each temperature zone, and recalibrate the PID parameters when the deviation exceeds the standard.
Check the resistance value of the heating element (such as the cold end resistance of the silicon carbide rod should meet the manufacturer’s specifications), and replace it if the resistance is abnormal.
Furnace tube inspection and replacement:
Perform endoscopic examination on quartz or corundum tubes and replace them immediately if cracks, perforations, or severe corrosion are found.
Measure the wear of the inner diameter of the furnace tube (if the wear of the quartz tube exceeds 10% of the original diameter, it needs to be replaced) to avoid affecting the stability of rotation.
Security system testing:
Simulate faults such as overheating and leakage, and verify whether the alarm device and emergency stop function are normal.
Perform negative pressure maintenance test on the vacuum rotary furnace (such as observing for 30 minutes after vacuuming to -0.1MPa, the pressure rise rate should be ≤ 1Pa/min).

3. Potential risks of non maintenance
Experimental failure: Uneven temperature distribution or stuck rotation may result in incomplete sintering or cracking of the sample, wasting time and material costs.
Equipment damage: Heating element breakage may penetrate the furnace tube, and the repair cost can reach up to 30% -50% of the equipment value.
Safety accidents: Atmosphere leaks or electrical malfunctions may cause fires, explosions, or personnel poisoning, resulting in serious consequences.

4. Maintenance suggestions
Develop maintenance plan: Develop a detailed maintenance schedule based on equipment usage frequency (such as running for 8 hours per day) and experimental type (such as high temperature or corrosive atmosphere).
Establish maintenance records: Record the time, content, replaced parts, and inspection data of each maintenance to facilitate tracking of equipment status changes.
Train operators: Ensure that laboratory personnel master basic maintenance skills (such as cleaning furnace tubes, checking for leaks), and can identify common fault signals (such as abnormal noise, temperature fluctuations).