The Stepmotor Failure of the Heating Furnace
One of the most common causes of failure of a high-temperature heating furnace is a malposition of the stepmotor, which can prevent the mechanism from achieving proper operation. The malposition can occur for a variety of reasons, most notably when the drive shaft, or stepping motor, gets stuck due to dust and dirt accumulation or external forces. A malposition is most easily identified by a sudden change in motor behavior; it could be described as an increased vibration, increased noise, or slow response when operating.
Once the malposition is identified, the most important step is to disassemble the shafts and remove the stepmotor from the furnace. Depending on the model and design, the stepmotor is usually held together with a set of screws, threaded rods, or bolts. If any of those components are corroded, they can easily be unscrewed using normal tools. Once the stepmotor is removed, the cause of the malposition should become apparent. It could be a result of a bent shaft, an accumulation of dirt, or an incorrect installation.
Once the cause of the malposition is identified, the next step is to determine the best way to fix it. The most common method is to carefully straighten any curved or bent components while using a torque wrench to ensure that they do not exceed the manufacturer’s recommended limits. If the malposition is due to the accumulation of dirt, then it is best to remove it using a vacuum cleaner or compressed air.
Once the stepmotor is straightened or the dirt is removed, the stepmotor needs to be reinstalled to the furnace. It is important to ensure that the drive shafts are properly aligned, and that the correct components are used to fasten the stepmotor in place. To maximize the connection between the drive shafts, it is also important to use a high-grade, heat-resistant grease.
Once the stepmotor is correctly installed, it should be tested to ensure that all components are properly functioning. The testing process can vary, depending on the model of the heating furnace, but it should involve running the furnace through its entire range of motion and checking for any vibrations or resistance throughout the process, as well as the accuracy of the step timing.
In cases where the malposition is caused by an incorrect installation, such as the incorrect wiring, then it is best to seek out the help of a qualified technician who can repair the furnace and ensure that all components are properly connected.
Depending on the model, the stepmotor failure on a high-temperature heating furnace can be a significant source of downtime for equipment operators. For this reason, it is important to identify the malposition and repair it as soon as possible. By following the steps outlined above, an operator should be able to quickly identify the malposition and repair it, minimizing the amount of downtime for their equipment.
