Among all the infrared radiant oven and heat systems Ceramicx produces, one of the most versatile is the clamshell oven. From their capability of producing 360° uniform heat across a wide range of low or high temperatures to their portable or large-scale, integrated size attributes, there’s big potential in using clamshell ovens as effective utilisation of infrared.
360° temperature control
With a clamshell temperature range capable of running from ∼200°C up to ∼1560°C, it’s that range that’s important in achieving the consistency of energy and heat transfer needed for any drying and curing applications – and how it can be created.
Thanks to the 360° circular construction of a clamshell oven and its ability to have either a top or side lift opening, it means the entire surface area of your material can be heated accurately – and evenly. With the infrared heat being radiated onto the material from all angles, the design provides an equal level of heat which can be achieved more consistently to create a homogeneity of even energy from both sides.
The variation of the infrared heating element that can be used to heat your materials is also accommodated. Your material can be suited to heat absorption from ceramic elements, the medium intensity of quartz heaters, or the high-intensity heat of halogen elements. Described and tested in Ceramicx, we’re able to measure the value of heat flux, plus material absorption.
The design advantage
Aside from the versatility of heat options, clamshell ovens also give you the chance to control the surrounding environment in which the radiant heat from each element is applied. Through horizontal or vertical mounting, you can achieve this in any of three ways.
Firstly, you could create an atmosphere of inert gasses helping to reduce oxidisation. Secondly, if your material is producing a gas output, further convective air can be pushed through the system. Thirdly, the possibility of creating a vent in the clamshell arrangement so you can deal with any gasses generated. There’s also the possibility that clamshells can be used in a vacuum environment to increase the performance level of the radiant heat by up to 30%.
So with the significant advantages that come with the circumferential design of 360° radiant heat, the clamshell has enormous potential in different areas that value optimisation of the heatwork process.
The Ceramicx heat solution
With so many ways in which radiation can be applied to create the necessary heatwork, the mechanical construction of any clamshell oven is always dependent on the industrial application used for each process. And Ceramicx has designed and built clamshell ovens for every application and purpose.
From smaller, portable ovens – using the tiniest ID diameter which could be down to less than a 30mm internal diameter for the fabric or tube that needs to go through the heatwork process – to larger ovens for the purpose of desiccating or destroying medical waste. Greater internal access for more control of the product for maintenance purposes is also a key feature with clamshell ovens.
Whatever your process or application, infrared clamshell ovens can provide the temperature-controlled, precision, and uniform heat you need. By talking with us here at Ceramicx, we can advise you on how to use any of these situations to your advantage and use best practice to design and build a custom industrial clamshell oven to your own specifications and requirements.
Call our technical team today on +353 28 37510 or email on [email protected].
We’ll be more than happy to discuss a solution that works for you and answer your questions.
