A shuttle kiln is a type of ceramic or industrial kiln that operates with a movable car or platform, allowing the ware (ceramics, pottery, or other materials) to be loaded and unloaded by moving the entire platform in and out of the kiln. This design contrasts with continuous kilns, where materials move through the kiln on a conveyor or belt.
How It Works:
Structure: The kiln consists of a fixed firing chamber and a rail-mounted car that can be loaded outside the kiln.
Loading: The car is packed with ceramic wares or products and then rolled into the kiln.
Firing:Once inside, the kiln is sealed, and the firing process begins. The kiln can reach high temperatures (often over 1300°C), depending on the material and desired finish.
Cooling and Unloading:After firing, the kiln cools, and the car is rolled out for unloading.
Key Features:
Versatility: Shuttle kilns are versatile and can accommodate different firing cycles and temperatures.
Batch Process: It is a batch kiln, meaning it fires in cycles, allowing for precise control over firing schedules.
Efficiency: Shuttle kilns are efficient for small to medium-scale production and are commonly used in ceramics, tile manufacturing, and refractory industries.
| Item | Specification |
| Volume | 0.3～30 m³ |
| Max operating temperature | 200～1700 ℃ |
| Energy | Electric heating, gas or oil |
| Burner | High-speed isothermal (tempering) burner |
| Number of burners | Determined by kiln volume |
| Temperature control method | Automatic or manual temperature control, optional remote control |
| Lining material | Lightweight fiber material or refractory brick masonry |
|
Structure type |
Arch coupons or suspended ceilings, swirling flames, smoke exhaust under the car or on the rear wall. |
| Applicable material | All kinds of ceramics, refractory materials, grinding wheels, powder or granular materials, etc. |
The advantages of a shuttle kiln include:
1. **Flexibility**
Shuttle kilns can handle a wide variety of products and materials. They are ideal for small-batch, multi-product production, allowing for different firing schedules and temperature profiles.
2. **Uniform Temperature Distribution**
Shuttle kilns provide even heat distribution throughout the chamber, resulting in consistent firing quality and minimizing defects. This improves overall product quality and reduces waste.
3. **Energy Efficiency**
These kilns are designed with excellent insulation and heat retention properties, reducing heat loss and minimizing energy consumption during the firing process.
4. **Ease of Loading and Unloading**
Products are loaded onto kiln cars outside the kiln chamber, simplifying the loading and unloading process, reducing downtime, and improving operational efficiency.
5. **Precise Control**
Shuttle kilns offer precise control over heating, soaking, and cooling phases, allowing for high-quality production with tight specifications, essential for industries like ceramics and advanced materials.
6. **Lower Maintenance Costs**
The relatively simple design of shuttle kilns makes them easy to maintain and repair, leading to lower maintenance costs and longer service life.
7. **Cost-Effective Investment**
Compared to continuous kilns (such as tunnel kilns), shuttle kilns require lower initial investment, making them suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises or specialized production facilities.
Shuttle kilns are particularly advantageous in applications that require batch processing, high precision, and product variety, such as ceramics, glass, and metal industries.
We will well pack the goods based on the kinds of furnace and customer's requirement.
