電気炉
electric kiln
Japanese: 電気炉
A furnace for heating and slow cooling glass. The temperature is automatically controlled by a controller.
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An electric kiln is an essential heating device for glass fusing; it uses electric heaters to precisely heat, maintain, and cool the interior of the kiln. Multiple thermocouples are installed inside the kiln, and a programmable controller automatically regulates the temperature. The size of the piece and the uniformity of heat distribution vary significantly depending on the kiln’s capacity, internal dimensions, maximum temperature, and heater configuration.
Top-loader-type electric furnaces with top heaters are commonly used for glass fusing. To ensure uniform temperature distribution within the kiln, the placement of the pieces and the use of shelves are crucial. The kiln’s maximum temperature (typically around 900–1000°C), the precision of the heating rate control, and the control of the cooling rate in the annealing zone all determine the quality of the finished pieces.
Related Concepts
Understand these terms in conjunction with “program controller,” “thermocouple,” “annealing,” “program number,” and “empty firing.”
This entry is written in Japanese by Rei Chikaoka and translated for readers outside Japan. If something reads oddly, the original is the source of truth.