Microwave furnace: Difference between revisions
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==Why would we want this== | |||
You can make highly detailed metal parts with complex geometries! | |||
The process goes something like | |||
* Print the part in wax castable resin on an mSLA printer. | |||
* Make a mold with petrobond and a casting box, add a hole, and melt out the wax | |||
* Load you metal(s) of choice into a silicone carbide crucible, wrap them in some insulation, and load them into the microwave to blast | |||
* Carefully unload the crucible and pour your molten metal into the mold | |||
==What's involved in building a 10kW microwave furnace== | ==What's involved in building a 10kW microwave furnace== | ||
An insane [https://www.relltubes.com/documents/Datasheets/Datasheet%20-%20CW%20Magnetrons/NL10270-5-Datasheet.pdf magnetron], a [https://www.recycledgoods.com/eratron-dc-sputtering-plasma-power-supply-pps-8210-2kv-rs-mf 10kW DC sputtering PSU], a high power [https://www.chillercity.com/OPMANUAL/hx-cft.pdf chiller] for the cooling loop, and an assortment of tubing and fittings just to drive the magnetron (all of which have already been acquired). We will need to build an enclosure which incorporates the waveguide/heating chamber, work area to unload the crucible, and various control and safety systems. The 2kV out of the sputtering PSU will need to be stepped up to the 9kV 1.6A required by the magnetron head, which we will do with a beefy full bridge LLC step up converter (WIP). Making sure everything is safe to operate in a community space is going to be quite a bit of work. We are gonna need to sort out HV isolation, interlock systems, overtemp protections, ground fault and rf leakage detection, etc. | An insane [https://www.relltubes.com/documents/Datasheets/Datasheet%20-%20CW%20Magnetrons/NL10270-5-Datasheet.pdf magnetron], a [https://www.recycledgoods.com/eratron-dc-sputtering-plasma-power-supply-pps-8210-2kv-rs-mf 10kW DC sputtering PSU], a high power [https://www.chillercity.com/OPMANUAL/hx-cft.pdf chiller] for the cooling loop, and an assortment of tubing and fittings just to drive the magnetron (all of which have already been acquired). We will need to build an enclosure which incorporates the waveguide/heating chamber, work area to unload the crucible, and various control and safety systems. The 2kV out of the sputtering PSU will need to be stepped up to the 9kV 1.6A required by the magnetron head, which we will do with a beefy full bridge LLC step up converter (WIP). Making sure everything is safe to operate in a community space is going to be quite a bit of work. We are gonna need to sort out HV isolation, interlock systems, overtemp protections, ground fault and rf leakage detection, etc. | ||
Revision as of 22:00, 26 February 2025
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This is a page to document my proposal to build a massive microwave furnace at Noisebridge. I have already acquired all of the parts and supplies, but assembling everything, testing, safety checks, and coordinating on training new users will be quite a process. Please message me on Discord if you're interested in getting involved! You can also check out my website project page covering this effort. MAINTAINER: Lucy (Discord: @autopoieesis) |
Why would we want this
You can make highly detailed metal parts with complex geometries!
The process goes something like
- Print the part in wax castable resin on an mSLA printer.
- Make a mold with petrobond and a casting box, add a hole, and melt out the wax
- Load you metal(s) of choice into a silicone carbide crucible, wrap them in some insulation, and load them into the microwave to blast
- Carefully unload the crucible and pour your molten metal into the mold
What's involved in building a 10kW microwave furnace
An insane magnetron, a 10kW DC sputtering PSU, a high power chiller for the cooling loop, and an assortment of tubing and fittings just to drive the magnetron (all of which have already been acquired). We will need to build an enclosure which incorporates the waveguide/heating chamber, work area to unload the crucible, and various control and safety systems. The 2kV out of the sputtering PSU will need to be stepped up to the 9kV 1.6A required by the magnetron head, which we will do with a beefy full bridge LLC step up converter (WIP). Making sure everything is safe to operate in a community space is going to be quite a bit of work. We are gonna need to sort out HV isolation, interlock systems, overtemp protections, ground fault and rf leakage detection, etc.