Iron Furnace, Foundry Furnace and Induction Furnace Information

In Metal Casting, the type of furnace you have atwith the fuel or the flame. This process is also
your foundry, or workshop determines a lot ofused in Puddling Furnaces. The name
the work you can or can not do. Many metalReverberatory and Puddling are often used
casters enjoy making their own furnaces andinterchangeably. By placing the metal in a shallow
have done so quite successfully. The plans fordepression and then directing an intense flame
home made furnaces are eagerly shared amongover that depression and to the wall, the heat
the enthusiasts so finding blueprints andrebounds to melt the metal. Many casters will
instructions should not be difficult. But before youadjust the length of the flame since a longer path
rush off to find the blueprints you may want towill mean that the heat will be more intense.
take time to learn about the types of castingThere are many designs for the reverberatory
furnaces available to help determine which one willfurnace, all of which will include exhaust ports and
suit your needs. This is not saying that you shouldthe rear of the furnace must be able to
only have one furnace at any given time, but thiswithstand the intense heat and be able to bounce
way you will know what project will work bestit back into the chamber.
for which furnace.Bronze, aluminum, tin, and many other ores can
Cupolabe melted in a reverberatory furnace all
Cupola furnaces are among the most popular withdepending on the construction of the actual
backyard foundries. Many casters construct theirfurnace and the heat of the flame. This type of
own cupola which proves to be cost effectivefurnace has been around since at least the Middle
and highly efficient if done properly. Since cupolaAges and was used primarily for bronze work.
furnaces can achieve high melting temperaturesElectric Arc
they are primarily used for the melting of iron andElectric Arc furnaces are normally used in
bronze, though aluminum can also be melted whenIndustrial foundries. Most hobby casters do not
attention is paid to keeping the temperature low.use these furnaces due to cost, space issues, and
The primary fuel source for cupola furnaces area general inconvenience. There are two forms of
coke using limestone for flux.the electric arc furnace, the direct and indirect.
By not using a crucible, the Cupola furnace is ableThe direct arc has three electrodes which are
to melt the metal at a faster rate. While individualused to heat metal by way of the arc. This
designs of these furnaces differ due to varyingcreates an incredible amount of heat and so
resources and design ideas, the basic componentwater jackets and other cooling devices will be
of a cupola furnace is the same. The cupolaneeded for operation.
furnace must be elevated above the ground andThe indirect arc just uses one electrode and
installed with a drop bottom usually hinged, whichworks in much the same way as the direct arc
will allow the excess metal, fuel source, and otherfurnace.
waste to drop from the furnace. The tap holeElectric Induction
and shaft which will allow the molten metal toElectric Induction furnaces are becoming all the
flow from the furnace and into the ladle and airmore popular with large industrial size foundries
shafts are also required. A slag tap hole can bethat enjoy the clean burning and efficiency of an
placed on the furnace usually in the back, higherelectrical furnace. Copper coils surround the
then the tap hole, which will allow the slag to flowcrucible with the metal inside which can reach
out easily.extremely high temperature suitable for melting
With most small home foundries, the cupolamost metals.
furnaces are preferred over that of otherRotary
furnaces for its high melting rates and for howThe Rotary style furnaces are hailed for their
easily the construction of such a furnace can be.ease of use being fully or at the very least
Reverberatorypartially automatic. These furnaces tend to be
The Reverberatory Furnaces are commonlyharder to construct though there are resources
found in industrial plants but there have been quiteand companies online that sell rotary furnace.
a number of home grown foundries that haveThe different furnace types do affect the quality
used this furnace type with much success. Theof the work being produced, so it is important to
basic idea of a Reverbeatory Furnace is to usekeep that in mind as you cast. With a little trial
the heat reflecting off a surface, usually brick, toand error, you should find the perfect furnace to
heat the metal, which is aluminum in most cases.fit your needs so you can start building one of
This way, the metal does not come into contactyour very own.