OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
FOR
MODEL 2701 ELECTRIC ARC BUTTON REMELT FURNACE
The Model 2701, Electric Arc Button Remelt Furnace was designed to produce solid buttons
1-
1/4” diameter by approximately ¼” thick, for x-ray and optical emission spectrography. Its
primary function is to melt irregular shaped materials such as drillings, fillings, lathe turnings,
slugs, powders, etc. The violence of the arc creates agitation or stirring of the melt, which
produces a homogeneous sample. It is especially useful in alloy research. Due to the speed of
the melting, little or no volatilization occurs to most elements.
Although the instrument is packed in a wooded crate, make sure no damage
(noticeable or
concealed)
has occurred during shipment. If so, communicate with the carrier and register a
claim.
Once you unpack this instrument, you will note that there are eight (8) primary components.
The base plate; crucible clamping device
(De-staco clamp
); lower water cooled body
(which
includes the copper crucible)
; the upper body (
onto which the bakelite insulator plate is
attached);
the water cooled
(T-handle)
anode rod; handle grips; and the carbon graphite anode
with the carbon graphite bushing
(which are located in the accessories box
). Remove the
carbon graphite anode and carbon graphite bushing from the accessories box and install onto
the threaded copper end of the T-handle anode rod. Be careful not to tighten the graphite
bushing too much or it may break.
Mounted to the bakelite insulator plate is a pressure relief
(pop-off)
valve. This valve permits
the argon gas to escape when it is expanded by the heat of the spark. Without this relief valve,
the expanded gas would inflate the rubber bellows cover over the anode shaft, until it would
explode or puncture. In the bakelite insulator are three (3) threaded holes. The one on the right
side
(facing the front)
is for the gas fittings and control valve. Be sure to use a gas valve which
is completely gas tight in the closed position. A hose fitting should be attached to the inlet side
of the gas valve. Obtain a pressure regulator assembly for argon gas, which includes a high
pressure gauge
(for tank pressure)
and a low pressure gauge. Attach the outlet of the low
pressure gauge to the inlet side of the above gas valve. The larger hole on the left side of the
bakelite insulator is for attaching a vacuum pump to the exhaust system. Install an air-tight
valve for a ½” ID pipe. The outlet side of the valve should have a short piece of pipe 1” long x
½” IPS. By means of a hose clamp, attach a length of vacuum hose ½” ID. The other end of
the vacuum hole is attached to the vacuum pump.
