Specifications

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precision temperature fluidised sand baths
FB-08 Range
The FB-08 series are precision fluidised baths with exceptional temperature stability and
uniformity making them the ideal choice for critical temperature calibration and heat treatment
processes. The characteristics of the FB-08 series offer excellent thermal uniformity and heat
transfer to make them a useful tool in the calibration and testing of a very wide range of
temperature sensors.
These FB-08 and FB-08C Fluidised sand baths have become the market standard for carrying out
shape setting (heat treatment processing) on Nitinol wire in a precisely controlled and uniform
manner. Platinum/tungsten products are now also being processed successfully. The Fluidised
baths offer lower running costs and are much safer to use than the alternative salt baths and
give much better results than conventional ovens. These products have excellent temperature
uniformity and offer fast temperature immersions as the fluidised alumina behaves like a liquid.
The typical processing time is typically 2-3 minutes per item for immersion in the bath which is
then followed by quenching in a cold fluid.
The unit is suitable for many other applications including thermal testing of sensitive components
such as semiconductor devices, wire product testing, delicate transducers and they may also be
used as a constant temperature environment for chemical reactions.
Because the fluidised bed is a fine dry powder, it does not have surface tension effects of liquid
baths, and does not wet any objects immersed in it. The electrical insulating properties of the
alumina used in the FB-08 series are not affected by fluidisation, making it possible to conduct
electrical measurements on immersed objects such as assembled printed circuit boards.
● Temperature range 50°C to 700°C
● Temperature stability, as good as ±0.2°C
● Working volume diameter x depth, 165 x 385mm
● PID temperature control
● Digital temperature indication
● Digital temperature set point
Controls for temperature and fluidising air flow are mounted on a recessed panel on the front of
the unit together with on-off switches for the power supply and the dust extraction system.
The inner container is well insulated and the outer case is vented so that it remains safe and cool
to the touch even when the bath is operating at its maximum temperature. The inner container
is filled from the top with alumina. When fluidised the alumina is heated by the four immersion
heaters close to the inner container outer wall with the control thermocouple giving excellent
temperature control.
The heater elements are protected (by a pressure switch operated by the fluidising air) from
excessive surface temperatures and the power supply is removed if the air supply to the unit is
disrupted. The unit also has an over-temperature cut-out fitted to protect the heating elements if
a fault with the control system occurs. Air supplied to the unit passes through two filters and a
pressure regulator to remove any oil and moisture and to set the correct pressure for the cyclone
extraction system and for optimum fluidisation.
The fluidising air passes through a flowmeter and then to a plenum chamber from which it is
distributed evenly across the inner container.
Dust extraction is carried out by ambient air being drawn down past the probe plate and through
a peripheral slot around the top edge of the inner container. It then passes through a cyclone to
separate and remove any alumina particles which are collected in a glass collection jar and then
passes through the exhaust filter.
Entrained alumina removed by the cyclone and collected in the collection jar, which is accessible
from the front of the unit, can be re-used and simply emptied back into the bath.
Sensor calibration or precision heat treatment is simple and precise with the FB-08 series fluidised baths.
● Set the bath to the required temperature and air flow level (on manual units).
● Suspend the sensor to be tested in the bath (using the probe plate supplied or basket) in the
working area and allow the bath to stabilise for a short period.
● Calibration or heat treatment can now be carried out using either a certificated standard
(Comparison method) or the readout from the FB-08 control unit (direct method).
Other inert gasses can be used for special applications provided appropriate precautions are
taken.
FB-08C
FB-08
FB-08LT