Lucifer Furnaces Inc. supplied Sossner Steel Stamps with a heat-treating furnace and an industrial oven for its facility in Elizabethton, Tenn. The high-temperature box furnace, with chamber dimensions of 12 inches x 12 inches x 18 inches, will be used to harden precision-machined high-speed-steel tool and die parts. The forced-air recirculating oven reaches 1600°F and will be used to temper the same parts. Both units are bench models and situated on tables built to a height that easily suits the loading/unloading of the parts. Sossner manufactures high-quality, precision-engineered marking and decoration stamps.

The furnace contains 6.5 inches of high-grade ceramic-fiber insulation and mineral-wool block, which insures minimal shrinkage of chamber lining, reduces heat loss and lowers overall power demand. Silicon-carbide heating elements mounted across the roof and below the silicon-carbide hearth plate are easily serviced via removable covers on both sides of the furnace. An SCR power supply provides a steady, low amperage and voltage supply to the heating elements for longer life. A stainless steel liner in the oven forms the work chamber, shielding the heating elements and directing the air flow in a uniform horizontal pattern.