Vecstar Ltd

Installation Services

At Vecstar Ltd we are pleased to offer a comprehensive range of installation services.  We can provide installation and calibration of all our products.  We also undertake efficient training of your personnel, which can be carried out either at our premises or on site.  We can further provide a confidential consultancy, where customer requirements can be discussed on site or at our premises.  Electrical furnaces are repaired on site wherever possible or, if necessary, at our site.  All our installation services are carried out by knowledgeable and skilled operatives.

Muffle Furnaces

Vecstar offers a complete range of durable muffle furnaces available in a variety of sizes and incorporating a host of innovative features, such as:

• A wire wound ceramic muffle chamber for excellent temperature uniformity.
• A vertically opening door to keep the hot plug away from the operator.
• A door safety switch that isolates power to the elements when the door is opened.
• A choice of digital controllers (see controller section below).
• Ultra high-grade insulation materials.
• Stainless steel chimney.
• Powder coat finish.

Vecstar muffle furnaces are typically used by research institutes, education authorities and for general laboratory work. 

1300°C Furnaces

We also offer a great range of high temperature (1300°C) chamber furnaces, all of which have a robust construction, a simple operation and a range of innovative features, including:

• High quality resistance wire heating elements sealed on to a refractory muffle (models 1-4).
• High quality resistance wire heating elements supported on ceramic tubes and mounted in the roof and sides of the chamber for outstanding temperature uniformity (models 5 & 6).
• A vertically opening door to keep the hot plug away from the operator.
• A door safety switch that isolates power to the elements when the door is opened.
• A choice of digital controllers (see controller section below).
• Ultra high-grade insulation materials.
• Powder coat finish.

Vecstar chamber furnaces are typically used for general laboratory research and light industrial applications. 

1400ºC, 1500ºC, 1600ºC Furnaces

Our high temperature chamber furnaces include:

• MF 1400°C Furnaces – Available in 5 sizes.
• HF 1500°C Furnaces - Available in 3 sizes.
• VF 1600°C Furnaces – Available in 2 sizes.

All models feature roof mounted silicon carbide rod elements offering excellent temperature uniformity throughout the chamber, plus:

• A vertically opening door to keep the hot plug away from the operator.
• A door safety switch that isolates power to the elements when the door is opened.
• A choice of digital controllers (see controller section below).
• Ultra high-grade insulation materials.
• Powder coat finish.

1700ºC & 1800ºC Furnaces

For higher temperature requirements we offer the following models:

• XF1, 2 & 3 – for continuous use up to 1650°C
• XF 4, 5 & 6 – for continuous use up to 1750°C

All models feature high quality Molybdenum Disilicide elements positioned vertically down each side of the chamber, giving exceptional temperature uniformity and rapid heat up times. Other features include:

• A fully insulated door that pivots vertically and keeps the ‘hot face’ door insulation away from the operator when accessing the chamber.
• A door safety switch that isolates power to the elements when the door is opened.
• A choice of digital programmers.
• A hardwearing stove-enamelled and powder-coated casing.
• A digital alarm for over-temperature protection.

Ashing Furnaces

Vecstar ashing furnaces have a continuous operating temperature of up to 1150°C. Heating is provided via a resistance wire wound ceramic muffle that gives excellent maximum temperature uniformity and ensures economical heat up times. Other features include:

• A vertically opening door to keep the hot plug away from the operator.
• A door safety switch that isolates power to the elements when the door is opened.
• A choice of digital controllers (see controller section below).
• Ultra high-grade insulation materials.
• 50mm exhaust port and air inlet holes to give the correct throughput of air to the chamber.
• A hardwearing stove-enamelled and powder-coated casing

Ashing furnaces are typically used for food analysis, agricultural research and general laboratory applications. 

Heat Treatment Furnaces

Also available is a range of high quality chamber furnaces designed specifically for heat treatment and other light industrial applications. They come with a range of optional features to cover most heat treatment and annealing processes, and are available in three sizes with a continuous operating temperature of up to 1150°C. All models feature high quality resistance wire elements supported on ceramic tubes, which are set in an open spiral formation for maximum uniformity and economical heat up times. Other features include:

• A fully insulated door that pivots vertically and keeps the ‘hot face’ door insulation away from the operator when accessing the chamber.
• A door safety switch that isolates power to the elements when the door is opened.
• A choice of digital controllers
• Ultra high-grade insulation materials.
• A hardwearing stove-enamelled and powder-coated casing
• Tables, quench tanks, stainless steel liners and retorts available on request.

Heat treatment furnaces are ideal for use in tool rooms, engineering workshops, research institutes and laboratories. 

Special Heat Treatment Furnaces

As well as a standard range of heat treatment furnaces, we offer bespoke, application-specific systems designed to cover the unique treatment requirements of individual customers. We specialise in one-off developments and can deliver a solution for just about any heat treatment application. We can also supply baskets, jigs, quench tanks and other associated equipment designed specifically for your system. For more information on our bespoke manufacturing services, please contact us on 01246 260094.

Tube Furnaces

We produce several high quality tube furnaces in a range of diameters and temperatures (up to 1200°C). Features include:

• Wire wound ceramic tube or silicon carbide rod elements
• A choice of digital controllers
• Ultra high-grade insulation materials
• Hardwearing stove-enamelled and power-coated casing

Tube furnaces can be supplied in horizontal or vertical format, depending on your requirements. They are typically used for analytical research, chemical analysis and general laboratory applications. 

Fan Assisted Industrial Ovens

Vecstar’s fan-assisted industrial ovens are designed and manufactured to customer specifications with continuous operating temperatures of up to 750°C. Heating is provided via high quality, mineral insulated, metal-sheathed elements. Typical users/uses include:

• Aerospace
• Nuclear plants
• Canning industry
• Ceramics
• Research laboratories
• Universities
• Special steels
• Heat treatment/annealing

Visit us online to find out more. 

Industrial Hot Plates

Our industrial hotplates offer a continuous operating temperature of up to 300°C, or 400°C when fitted a digital control. Heating is provided via high quality, mineral insulated, metal-sheathed elements. Each model is fitted with a thermostat as standard (digital controllers are available as optional extras). Top plates are made from mild steel, while the casing and terminal cover are fabricated from stainless steel. Stainless steel or aluminium top plates are available as optional extras. 

Vecstar industrial hotplates are available in the following sizes:

• 100 x 275 x 8mm (3.9 x 10.8 x 0.3)                
• 305 x 305 x 8mm (12 x 12 x 0.3)   
• 305 x 610 x 8mm (12 x 24 x 0.3)
• 305 x 915 x 8mm (12 x 36 x 0.3)

Larger sizes are available on request. 

Controllers

We offer several types of control system for use with Vecstar furnaces/ovens: 

• CAL3300 Controller – features a single adjustable ramp with a timed or continuous dwell, useful for gentle heating of ceramic work tubes or samples.
• CAL9400 Controller – a simple PID control with set point and actual measured temperature displayed on an LCD screen.
• CAL9500 Controller – displays set point and actual measured temperature simultaneously on an LCD screen.
•  West ProVU Programmer – a text-based controller with set point and actual measured temperature display, plus an onscreen trend function to show historic data. 

For more information on each of the above, please head over to the Vecstar website. 

Optional Extras

The following items are optional extras that can be added to our heating systems:

• Worktube seals – enabling the introduction of an inert gas down a portable ceramic tube. 
• Ceramic work tubes – in a variety of lengths and diameters.
• Insulating plugs – to prevent heat loss and improve uniformity in tube furnaces.
• Inert gas flowmeters – with needle valves for adjustment.
• Work baskets – for heat treatment procedures.
• Furnace tables – with option of a quench tank and basket.
• Roller tables – for simple loading and unloading of work baskets.

More optional extras can be found on the Vecstar website.