Magazine

Furnace maintenance, the prevention that makes the difference

The furnace is a core element in the production process (especially in moulding and heat treatment), and it is essential that its functionality is always maintained to the maximum. This means carrying out regular checks, to prevent small defects from causing much more serious problems.

The main aspects to be kept under control in an industrial furnace are many: below are the main activities to be carried out in the maintenance process.

Regularly inspect combustion and air intake systems

When vents and fumes passages become clogged with dust and soot, a reduction in heating power and sub-optimal combustion can occur, which could mean higher energy consumption. Regularly checking the air intakes and venting systems will prevent this from happening and keep the furnace atmosphere clean.

Check transport systems

Rollers, belts or tracks that transport material in and out of the furnace are subject to wear and tear. Therefore, it is important to examine these systems for signs of damage or deterioration, making necessary repairs as often as needed or planning for their scheduled replacement.

Check furnace’s temperature and atmosphere

Maintaining a constant temperature and atmosphere is crucial during heat treatment, as even relatively small fluctuations can greatly affect the quality of the final product. For this reason, it is essential to periodically check that the systems that maintain the temperature and atmosphere are functioning correctly, starting with periodic calibration of the furnace’s reading instruments (thermocouples, pyrometers, …).

Greasing and maintenance of loading parts

Although in a furnace one might think that the part operating “cold” is less prone to wear and tear, it is essential to keep it efficient by periodically checking and maintaining it.

These are just some of the elements that must be checked periodically in an industrial furnace, but they can make a big difference in the performance of the machine and, consequently, in actual production.

Some of the benefits of preventive maintenance are:

• reduction of the risk of downtime
• reduction in wasted resources
• optimal and consistent production performance
• increased safety for operators

If you would like to know more about what we can do to keep your industrial furnaces in top shape, contact us now!