Vacuum & Controlled Atmosphere Systems

The creation and casting of super alloys and many other advanced and reactive metals requires sophisticated vacuum or controlled atmosphere melting and remelting systems. Inductotherm builds most of the world’s zoned induction heating coils and multiple output power supplies used in the manufacturing of ultra-high-temperature advanced materials such as carbon carbon.

Graphite Heating:
In graphite heating, maintaining the desired temperature profile within the susceptor is absolutely critical in order to achieve maximum productivity. Precise power input to each zone of the susceptor is achieved by varying either or both the overall power level and the amount of time power is switched to a particular zone of the coil during each power distribution cycle of the system. This leads to increased yields of product over a given length hot zone.

High Resistance Load (HRL) Melting:
Melting with induction in vacuum or inert gas atmosphere require furnaces and power supplies designed for these demanding environments. Inductotherm has developed a line of solid state power supplies specifically tailored to the demands of HRL melting. These designs are based on the VIP® technology that has been updated and refined over the years.

High temperature metals, such as titanium and titanium alloys, cannot be melted in regular crucibles since in a molten state they react with refractory metals. Therefore, they are melted in a slotted water cooled copper crucible. A high-density magnetic field not only heats the metal but also squeezes it away from cold crucible walls, minimizing heat transfer. Higher output frequencies ensure proper metal stirring levels and more rugged componentry, due to the much higher current levels at which these units will run, have been built in with tremendous success.

Vacuum Melting:
Inductotherm is the principal supplier of induction furnaces and power supplies for the world’s leading vacuum system manufacturers and precision investment casters.

Furnaces range from small vacuum furnaces with capacities measured in grams to giant vacuum furnaces with capacities of 60 ton and more.

Power Window Ladle System:
New induction ladle technology allows placing a transfer ladle directly into an induction coil, melting, stirring, degassing and temperature modifying the metal and then moving the ladle to a casting or holding station.

The whole furnace can be sealed and used as a vacuum chamber to produce high quality steels. The induction ladle may be supplied with a bottom slide gate for direct casting.

Because of the extensive range, please contact us to find out what system will best suit your needs.