CASTING INNOVATIONS
Oven Boosts Energy Efficiency in Drying Cores, Molds Faced with increasing environ-
mental regulations limiting emis- sions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the metalcasting industry has significantly increased its use of water-based binders for cores and molds. When exposed to molten metal, these binders emit less air pollutants. Increased use of these refractory coatings means facilities need an efficient and precise method of drying such coatings after casting. To meet growing demand
among its metalcasting custom- ers, LaX Engineered Solutions LLC, Waukesha, Wis., has de- veloped its line of patent-pend- ing Cyclone ovens. Te high volume, low pressure airflow in the Cyclone ovens provides drying times that can increase throughput while decreasing the size of the equipment envelope. Designed specifically for the
metalcasting industry, the new Cyclone oven includes multiple drying zones to increase process flexibility. Te control system al-
lows metalcasting engineers to vary and control the temperature, airflow and conveyor speed. Additionally, the electronic control allows the customer to dial in the amount of exhaust for maximum efficiency. “We are pleased with the flex-
ibility of design and the adjustable belt speed to optimize drying times for varying size cores,” said an en- gineer at a metalcasting facility that
has installed an LAX Cyclone oven. “Cores dry faster at lower operating temperatures and have improved the process greatly.” Five-horsepower, 700F (371C)
turbine fans in each zone provide efficient airflow at a low operating cost. Te Cyclone’s body has 3/16-in. welded plate construction and 6-in. mineral board insulation. Te heating system consists of direct fired Maxon APX excess air-fired burners with UV scanners to monitor the flame and an FM-style ventless gas train. Te Cyclone oven also can be equipped with a flat wire mesh belt that rides on a slide bed constructed of mild steel powered by a variable frequen- cy drive to control feed rate. “Te industry needed a more
energy efficient, low maintenance oven that offered complete process control,” said Jeffrey C. Mitchell, president, LaX Engineered Solu- tions. “We are confident this fills
that need.” Visit
www.laxengineeredsolutions.com for more information.
The Cyclone oven was designed to maximize efficiency when drying cores and molds treated with water-based binding compounds. 52 | MODERN CASTING September 2014
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