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Summary of Contents for AutoFire AF4X
- Page 1 AutoFire® Kiln Controller User’s Guide Model AF4X Orton Ceramic Foundation The Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation 6991 Old 3C Highway Westerville, Ohio 43082-9026 Telephone: (614) 895-2663 Fax: (614) 895-5610 www.ortonceramic.com October 2018...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
AF4X Kiln Controller TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ..................................4 PRECAUTIONS ................................... 4 FEATURES ....................................4 TEST FIRING WITH WITNESS CONES ..........................6 KEYPAD OVERVIEW ................................6 ..................................6 ISPLAY IGHTS ..................................7 TARTING A IRING ..................................7 TOPPING A IRING ................................ - Page 3 AF4X Kiln Controller 1 - AOP1 ..............................17 UXILIARY UTPUT - ELEC ............................17 LECTRONICS EMPERATURE - COOL ............................17 FIRE OOLING - RATE ............................... 18 NITS - CENT ..............................18 ILOWATT - KW................................18 ILOWATT RATING - SFTY ..............................18...
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Page 4: Introduction
If you have a Kiln-Sitter® on your kiln, you can use a Cone 10 bar under the sensing rod to shut off power if the kiln reaches high temperatures. This bar will last many firings and can act as a backup safety device for the firing. Features The AF4X includes many standard features, a user-friendly keypad and robust temperature control software. - Page 5 AF4X Kiln Controller Firing Methods and Features User Program method: Create up to 25 custom firing schedules with unique heating and cooling rates, • target temperatures and hold times. This method can be used for ceramics, heat treating, glass fusing, enameling or jewelry applications.
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Page 6: Test Firing With Witness Cones
AF4X Kiln Controller Test Firing with Witness Cones A test firing will help in learning the operation and features of the controller. Follow your kiln manufacturer's instructions for setting up your kiln. Place a series of Orton Self-Supporting Cones on the middle shelf of your kiln so that they can be seen through a kiln peephole. -
Page 7: Starting A Firing
AF4X Kiln Controller When the Controller is first turned on The controller runs a brief self-diagnostic test. The display will light up and the audible alarm should beep. After a few seconds, the display will alternate between the kiln temperature and IDLE. IDLE is the mode where the controller is not actively firing the kiln or being programmed for a firing. -
Page 8: User Programs
AF4X Kiln Controller User Programs 25 User Programs are available. The User Program mode allows you to customize your firing schedule and specify how fast the kiln heats or cools to any temperature. All Programs allow 20 ramp steps. Each ramp step consists of a heating rate (or cooling rate), a target temperature and a hold time. -
Page 9: Target Temperatures
AF4X Kiln Controller A Program Review will show the message FULL to indicate the uncontrolled rate. Deviation alarms will not be active during the heating/cooling ramp. Caution: Overshoot in temperature may occur when a kiln is heating at full power, especially at lower temperatures. -
Page 10: Set-Point Hold
AF4X Kiln Controller Set-Point Hold You can program the controller to hold at a temperature indefinitely by programming a Hold Time of 99.59. The controller will hold the kiln temperature until the Program/Stop key is pressed. Adding Time to a Hold If the kiln is firing and you need to increase the hold time, use the HLDT option. -
Page 11: Erasinga User Program
AF4X Kiln Controller The controller will advance to STRT. The programmed firing schedule is automatically stored and ready to START the firing. If the Delay Start feature is active, the display will show DELA alternating with a Time value. use the Increase or Decrease key to set a time for the kiln firing to begin. -
Page 12: Alarms
AF4X Kiln Controller ……………………………………….….. °F 1 / 32 ………………………………………….…. 960 ……………………………………………. HD 1 / 00.00 …………………………………………….. 00.30 ……………………………………………. RA 2 / 0 …………………………………..……..….. STRT ………………………………..…………..DELA / 00.00 …………………...……………….………..-ON- Alarms Alarms are used to notify the operator of problems with the kiln performance or controller performance. Some alarms will terminate the kiln firing while others allow the firing to continue with the alarm condition on the display. -
Page 13: Power Interruption Alarms
AF4X Kiln Controller Power Interruption Alarms Power failed and firing was resumed Power failed during cooling and firing was stopped because cooling temperature exceeded PF 1 Power failed during heating and firing was stopped because temperature was below 212°F PF 2 Power failed during heating or hold and firing was stopped because temperature dropped by 72°F... -
Page 14: Skip Step - Skip
AF4X Kiln Controller The options list will vary depending on the controller configuration. If the program loaded is not a CONE program, Cone fire options do not appear. Level 1 Options Skip Step - SKIP The Skip option allows you to end a ramp segment or hold period before the time has expired, use the SKIP option to advance to a later ramp in the program. -
Page 15: Threshold Alarm -Alar
AF4X Kiln Controller Threshold Alarm -ALAR To sound an audible alarm when the controller reaches a temperature, Use the ALAR option. When the kiln reaches the alarm temperature, the display will flash ALAR and the buzzer will sound. Silence the alarm by pressing any key except Stop. -
Page 16: Cone Offset - Ofst
AF4X Kiln Controller Level 2 Options Cone Offset - OFST This offset feature allows you to adjust the final heating step of the Cone programs. This is useful when the kiln does not quite bend witness cones to the desired angle. Cone Offset is a calibration feature that allows a temperature offset for the final heating ramp of the cone program. -
Page 17: Program Lock Mode - Lock
AF4X Kiln Controller Program Lock Mode - LOCK The LOCK Option allows individual User Programs or a Cone Fire programs to be locked into memory, preventing the settings from being changed. LOCK requires a passcode to enable this feature, the default passcode is ‘3’. Once enabled, the user can set a new passcode that is private. -
Page 18: Ramp Rate Units - Rate
AF4X Kiln Controller Ramp Rate Units - RATE The RATE Option sets the units for programming and review of heating and cooling rates. The factory default setting is for Degrees per Hour. Settings Meaning MAX ‘FULL’ rate HOUR Degrees per Hour 999°C (1799°F)/Hour... -
Page 19: Reset - Rst
AF4X Kiln Controller Reset - RST The RST feature restores the original OEM values supplied with the controller. Do not perform a reset unless all other efforts to correct faults with the controller have failed. A reset may change important option settings for your kiln. Before attempting a reset, you should become familiar with the correct option settings for your controller. -
Page 20: Speed Program Example
AF4X Kiln Controller Speed Program Example To fire at Speed 4 (1500F per hour), to 960F with a 15 minute hold at temperature. Follow these steps: starting with the controller displaying IDLE Press Display Shows …………………………………………. a program group ..……..…………………………………. SPD ……………….………………………….a Speed number... -
Page 21: Jewelry Programs
AF4X Kiln Controller Jewelry Programs The Jewelry programs are 3 preset firing schedules for burnout. The various heating and cooling steps are preprogrammed. You can fire to a preset Jewelry schedule by simply selecting the jewelry program along with an adjustable final hold temperature. -
Page 22: Pmc Programs
AF4X Kiln Controller ………………………………………… o F 4 / 900 ………………………………………… 850 ………………………………………… STRT ………………………………………..DELA / 00.00 …………………...……………………..-ON- PMC Programs 5 preset firing schedules are available for Precious Metal Clay. The heating steps are preprogrammed. You can fire to a preset PMC schedule by simply selecting the PMC Program. These programs are not adjustable. -
Page 23: Cone-Fire - How It Works
AF4X Kiln Controller ………………………………………….a program number ………………………………………….CLA2 ………………………………………… STRT ………………………………………..DELA / 00.00 …………………...……………………..-ON- Cone-Fire – How it works When firing to a cone number, the controller constantly monitors the actual heating rate of the kiln. If the kiln does not fire as rapidly as programmed, the controller re-calculates and adjusts the top firing temperature to compensate for the slower firing rate. -
Page 24: Cone-Fire Programs
AF4X Kiln Controller Note: the Conefire Programs can be removed from the controller selections. To disable a program set, see the configuration appendix of this manual. Cone-Fire Programs During programming, default values may appear in the display. If the controller was previously programmed, the last settings will appear. - Page 25 AF4X Kiln Controller ..……..…………………………………. CONE ………………………………………….A cone number ………………………………………….06 ………………………………………… SPD / STD ………………………………………… FAST ………………………………………… HOLD / 00.00 ….……………………………..………. 00.15 ………………………………………… COOL / 0 ………………………………………… STRT ………………………………………..DELA / 00.00 …………………...……………………..-ON-...
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Page 26: Reference Section
AF4X Kiln Controller Reference Section Appendix A – Low Fire Cone Programs Cones O22 to O11 The low fire range is typically used to fire decals or decorations. Some decals, lusters, and gold have a limited firing range and may need to be fired more slowly. -
Page 27: Appendixb - Mid Fire Cone Programs
AF4X Kiln Controller Appendix B – Mid Fire Cone Programs Cones O10 to O1 This firing range is used to fire earthenware and low temperature glazes. If the ware is not thoroughly dried, a preheat cycle can be added. With lead-free glazes, a 10 to 20 minute hold is beneficial. -
Page 28: Appendixc - High Fire Cone Programs
AF4X Kiln Controller Appendix C – High Fire Cone Programs Cones 1 to 10 The firing range of higher temperature bodies, such as stoneware and porcelain varies between Cone 4 and Cone 10. These bodies are fired nearly to vitrification and can shrink up to 16%. As with earthenware bodies, water, carbon, and sulfur are potential burnout materials and venting is important to remove gases generated. -
Page 29: Appendixd - User Program Charts
AF4X Kiln Controller Appendix D – User Program Charts User Program # 1 Ramp # Rate: °/hr Temperature Hold Time Vent Fan: on/off User Program # 2 Ramp # Rate: °/hr Temperature Hold Time Vent Fan: on/off Appendix E – Connecting Thermocouples For thermocouples, the color-coded wires should always include a red wire. -
Page 30: Appendixf - Typical Wiring Diagram , 2 Heaters
AF4X Kiln Controller Appendix F – Typical Wiring Diagram, 2 Heaters Appendix G – Typical Wiring Diagram, 1 Heater, 1 safety relay... -
Page 31: Appendixg - Configuration Options
AF4X Kiln Controller Appendix G – Configuration Options The configuration menu allows you to enable or disable the preset program groups and adjust some of the common default settings for the controller. To access the configuration menu. Press and Hold all 3 keys during power on. The display will show RST... -
Page 32: Limited Warranty
Repair parts or replacement products will be furnished on an exchange basis and will be either reconditioned or new. All replaced parts ® or products become the property of Orton. Following receipt of notice from Buyer of a valid warranty claim and the Autofire Kiln Controller containing the Warranted Components, Orton will perform its obligations under this limited warranty within 10 business days.
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