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Related Manuals for Orton AutoFire AF4TS
Summary of Contents for Orton AutoFire AF4TS
- Page 1 AutoFire® Slide Kiln Controller User’s Guide Model AF4TS 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
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ..................................5 PRECAUTIONS ................................... 5 FEATURES ....................................5 TEST FIRING WITH WITNESS CONES ..........................7 CONE-FIRE – HOW IT WORKS .............................. 7 SLEEP SCREEN ..................................8 HOME SCREEN ..................................8 ................................9 EMPERATURE ISPLAY ................................. - Page 3 AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller Alarm Deviation ....................................20 Setpoint Alarm ...................................... 20 Over Temp ......................................20 Power Balance ...................................... 20 Center Power ......................................20 INFO SCREEN ................................... 21 Temperature ......................................21 Setpoint ......................................... 21 Rate/Hold ......................................21 Status ........................................21 Zone control Performance ..................................
- Page 4 AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller REFERENCE SECTION ................................32 A – L ..........................32 PPENDIX ROGRAMS B – M ..........................33 PPENDIX ROGRAMS C – H ..........................34 PPENDIX ROGRAMS D – U ........................... 35 PPENDIX ROGRAM HARTS E – C .........................
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Page 5: Introduction
Orton controllers store the firing program information in memory when turned off. If power is lost during a firing, the controller remembers how far the firing has progressed and determines if it can resume the firing when power is restored. - Page 6 AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller Firing Methods and Features Cone-Fire method: Select a preset program for a specific cone number from Cone 022 to Cone 12. • These programs are designed specifically for ceramic firings. User Program method: Create up to 35 custom firing schedules with unique heating and cooling rates, •...
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Page 7: Test Firing With Witness Cones
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. Use a series of cones close to the final firing temperature (see Appendix C). For example, if firing to 1945°F (Cone 04), use a Cone 03, Cone 04, and Cone 05 for the test firing. -
Page 8: Sleep Screen
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller When the Controller is first turned on The controller runs a brief self-diagnostic test and displays a Splash screen. After a few seconds, the display will show the Home screen and Standby mode where the controller is not actively firing the kiln or being programmed for a firing. -
Page 9: Temperature Display
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller Temperature Display The temperature display reports the thermocouple temperature or an average of the multiple thermocouple temperatures. The color of the main temperature display can be changed from Green to Red to Black by touching the display area. (Four dashes) appear on the controller display during power up. -
Page 10: Complete/Stopped/Abort
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller If the firing is stopped manually, the controller will ask for the command to be confirmed. Press the CONFIRM button to proceed with stopping the firing. If the stop command is not confirmed within 5 seconds, the stop command is ignored and the firing resumes. -
Page 11: History Button
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller History Button The clock icon at the bottom of the screen is used to access History logs and Parts screens for the controller. Settings Button The gear icon at the bottom of the screen is used to access setup and configuration settings for the controller. Graph Button During an active firing, the Settings button is replaced with a Graph button to view Time vs. -
Page 12: Program Selection Screen
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller Program Selection Screen To select a firing Program or to setup a new firing program, Use the Slide button on the Home screen to choose PROGRAM. Conefire: Enable or disable Cone programs Delay: Set a delay start time for the next High Limit: firing. -
Page 13: Home Button
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller Home Button Returns to the Home screen Slide Button The directional button provides the choice of selecting a preset Conefire program or a custom User program. To use the slide button, touch the center of the circle and drag it left or right. Conefire Setup Screen Preset firing schedules are easily selected for automatic programming of the controller heating rates, target temperatures and hold times. -
Page 14: Speed Adjustments
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller Speed Adjustments Speed allows the operator to increase or decrease the firing speed of a Cone-fire program. Early ramp rates can be increased or decreased up to 40%. The final ramp for a Cone-fire program is not chnaged. Preheat ramps are not affected by the Speed setting. -
Page 15: Fan
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller allows for an optional vent fan control output that is controlled during the kiln firing. This option requires the appropriate hardware installed for one of the two Aux Outputs. FAN settings Fan relay is on during entire firing and remains on until the firing is completed and cleared Fan relay is off during entire firing Fan relay is on until the beginning of the final heating ramp. -
Page 16: Review Or Edit A Cone Program
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller Review or Edit a CONE Program The operator can edit the active program while the firing is in process. During the active firing, use the Slide button to select Program. On the CONE SETUP screen, edit the parameters that are active as needed. Some parameters are not available for editing. -
Page 17: User Program Number
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller User Program Number Select a program number from 1 to 35. The Default Firing Program is Program #1. Program Name Touch the name field and a pop-up window appears with keypad. Use the keypad to type a program name and SAVE. -
Page 18: Target Temperatures
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller Caution: Overshoot in temperature may occur when heating at full power, especially at lower temperatures. Target Temperatures Each ramp step requires you to program the desired target temperature. Caution: Do not program target temperatures that exceed the temperature rating for your kiln. The maximum programmable value for target temperatures can be viewed on the About screen ‘Safety Temp’... -
Page 19: Options Screen
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller turned on or off during the specified ramp. To set the fan to On or OFF, touch the field setting. Options Screen To set firing options, Use the slide button on the Home screen to choose OPTIONS. TC Offsets: Thermocouple offsets for... -
Page 20: Alarm Deviation
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller Alarm Deviation Allows the operator to set a temperature deviation value for activating the non-terminating deviation alarms; Fail To Heat, Fail To Cool and Low Temp Deviation. To program the value, touch the field for a pop-up keypad. Key in the value and SAVE. -
Page 21: Info Screen
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller Info Screen During an active firing. The info screen is available by touching the (Circle i) button that appears on the Status line. Temperature: Current temperature Setpoint: Rate/Hold: Control Setpoint Actual ramp rate or remaining hold Status: time Program status... -
Page 22: Diagnostics
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller ramp rate and the power to the zone is at maximum (100%). The controller will no longer maintain zone control for this zone. This condition typically occurs with a failed heating element or relay component. Diagnostics Reports the individual thermocouple temperatures, relay activity (ON or OFF) and reports the output power from 0-100% for each output. -
Page 23: History Results
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller History Results The completion status and results can be reviewed for the last 3 firings. Slide Button Use the Slide button to see additional logs and monitors Log Screen The Log screen displays performance data from past usage. Use the Slide button to select Logs from the History screen. -
Page 24: Graph Screen
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller Graph Screen During an active firing the Graph screen is available to view the progress and firing profile of the firing in real- time. The graph plots Time vs. Temperature for each thermocouple and for the controller setpoint. Touch the Graph button at the bottom of the Home screen. -
Page 25: Settings
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller Settings The settings button is available from the Home screen and Options screen Configuration Screen The Configuration screen is accessed from the HOME or OPTIONS screen. Press the Setting button icon at the bottom of the screen to enter the configuration screen. Config Number: Sets the number of relays outputs and... -
Page 26: Thermocouple Type
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller Thermocouple Type This setting allows the operator to select a thermocouple type for the Analog input. Selecting the correct thermocouple type is critical for accurate temperature conversions. Thermocouple Types Type R (Platinum/Platinum-Rhodium 13%) Thermocouple Type K (Chromel/Alumel) Thermocouple Type N (Nicrosil/Nisil) Thermocouple Type S (Platinum/Platinum-Rhodium 10%) Thermocouple Relay Type... -
Page 27: About Screen
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller About Screen The About screen is accessed from the Configuration screen Slide button. Version: Reports the Autofire software Board Temp: version Reports the circuit board temperature Safety Temp: Reports the maximum programmable Test: temperature Diagnostic test of the inputs and outputs Reset:... -
Page 28: Test
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller TEST Test allows the operator to test the relay outputs and view the thermocouple temperature measurement. Test will also report the amperage for the system if the optional current transformer is available. Test functions are dependent on the controller configuration and Model numbers. Test functions are active for 2 minutes or until the TEST button is pressed again to advance to the next test function. -
Page 29: Kwhr
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller $/KWHR Allows the operator to set a cost value for Kilowatt Hour usage. This value is used to calculate a firing cost for review on the UNITS screen. The value must be entered by the user, it can usually be found on your electric bill. Cost calculations require a second value entry in the KW option. -
Page 30: Deviation Alarms
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller Deviation Alarms See Alarm Deviation and Over Temp on Options screen to adjust Deviations Fail To Heat Kiln is heating too slow, firing continues Fail To Cool Kiln is cooling too slow, firing continues Low Temp Deviation Kiln is losing hold temperature or cooling too fast, firing continues Over Temp Warning Kiln is overheating, firing aborts... -
Page 31: Hardware Options
Computer software Computer software is available for remote monitoring and datalogging. The controller has a USB interface that outputs TIME, Temperature and Setpoint data. For more information on the optional computer software, contact Orton or visit www.ortonceramic.com... -
Page 32: Reference Section
AutoFire Slide 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. The complete firing schedules for Cones O22 to O11 are shown below. -
Page 33: Appendixb - Mid Fire Cone Programs
AutoFire Slide 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. Earthenware or other bodies containing ball clays, talc, and kaolin contain compounds such as water, carbon, and sulfur that are burned-off during the firing. -
Page 34: Appendixc - High Fire Cone Programs
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller Appendix C – High Fire Cone Programs Cones 1 to 12 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 35: Appendixd - User Program Charts
AutoFire Slide 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 User Program # 3 Ramp # Rate: °/hr Temperature... -
Page 36: Appendixe - Connecting Thermocouples
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller Appendix E – Connecting Thermocouples For thermocouples, the color-coded wires should always include a red wire. The red wire is the negative leg. For Type K, the positive leg is yellow. For Type N, the positive leg is orange. For Type S and Type R, the positive leg is black. -
Page 37: Appendixf - Typical Wiring Diagram
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller Appendix F – Typical Wiring Diagram... -
Page 38: Appendixg - Calibration
AutoFire Slide Kiln Controller Appendix G – Calibration For temperature calibrations, connect a precision DC millivolt source set to 0.000mv to input TC1 at terminal block P6. Prior to calibration, check the Setting screen for Type K thermocouple setting Power on the controller and press the CALIBRATION button that appears during the SPLASH screen. -
Page 39: Limited Warranty
Components”) to be in good working order under normal operating conditions for a period of two (2) year from the date of purchase. Should the Warranted Components fail to be in good working order at any time during the stated two (2) year period, Orton will, at its option, repair or replace the Warranted Components as set forth below.