a pdf - Hawaii Potters` Guild
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1. enough time to become gases and combine with oxygen The thicker the ware and the heavier the load the slower the ware must be fired As the clay reaches higher temperatures the components of the clay fuse together sealing the clay surface At this point remaining carbon and other impurities become trapped inside the ware The trapped gases expand beneath the surface bloating and cracking the ware The preferred bisque temperature at HPG is Cone 06 1828 F Pre heat and Firing Speed An 8 HR pre heat at STD firing speed has proven to be the most successful firing schedule to follow BISQUE CONE FIRE PROGRAM e g cone O6 1 Cone fire programming will only be done by the kiln chair or a trained individual 2 Any errors made with programming will default to a FAST firing speed setting Greenware will not survive when bisque fired FAST KEYS TO PRESS DISPLAY COMMENTS 1 CONE FIRE CONE Enter the cone number e g 06 06 06 Cone Temperature ENTER SPD Enter the firing speed 2 MED STD Standard firing speed ENTER PRHT Enter Pre heat time 08 00 08 00 Pre heat time ENTER HOLD Enter hold time 00 00 00 00 ENTER COOL Enter slow cooling rate 00 00 00 00 ENTER IDLE amp TEMP flashing Kiln is now ready to fire 3 Before every firing it is critical that the values entered are double checked Press key 6 Program Review and refer to Cone 06 Bisque Firing Program Review on next page before proceeding The check2. load the kiln Tilt the shelf as you lower it into the kiln Center it so it doesnt touch the kiln walls digital thermocouple 3 Start with 1 posts on floor before placing the first shelf Do not place shelves face to face at the middle Maintaining this 1 gap between Shelves is necessary for the entire load 4 Never place a shelf level with a heating element m 5 The posts being used should be 1 taller than the ware e g a piece 3 tall should use a 4 post 6 Be sure that all greenware being loaded is bone dry If it feels cool on your cheek then it s not ready to fire 7 Ordinarily load pieces of medium height on the bottom shelf and tall pieces on the top shelf This is to avoid blocking radiant heat from reaching the shorter pieces 8 Wide bottom pieces will fire best if placed across two half shelves positioned at an even height and in the middle of the kiln If the shelves are uneven use either pieces of soft brick small dry clay balls pencil sized strands of clay or grog under the ware Or use a large single shelf to place across the two half shelves 9 Elevating large tiles amp slabs will allow air and heat to circulate around them for even heating and also so moisture can escape thereby reducing tile warpage and cracking If you choose to do so use supports placed 1 in from the edge at the four corners of the slab Any tiles or slabs that are larger than 6 x 6 should use five su
3. STD PRHT 00 00 HOLD 00 00 COOL 00 00 IDLE TEMP flashing KEYS TO PRESS DISPLAY COMMENTS ENTER START START Kiln is now firing 10 SELECT AND FIRE A STORED USER PROGRAM e g crystalline glazing 1 Program operation will only be done by the kiln chair or a trained individual 2 Follow all of the Paragon Guidelines previously outlined 3 Vacuum the kiln before each glaze firing 4 Be sure that the kiln shelves you are using are silicon carbide 5 All glaze firings require three cone packs top middle and bottom KEYS TO PRESS DISPLAY COMMENTS 4 RAMP HOLD USER USER 1 is for crystalline glaze firing 1 1 ENTER RA 1 FULL STOP IDLE TEMP flashing Selected program is ready to fire 6 Before every firing it is critical that the values entered are double checked Press key 6 Program Review and refer to Crystalline Glaze Firing User Program Review on next page before proceeding 7 The middle cone pack should be visible through middle peep hole After about 4 5 hours cone 10 will bend to a 90 angle The display temperature will show around 2300 F Watch the cone closely from this point on 8 When cone 10 reaches a 90 angle press key 9 SKIP then ENTER This feature will allow the kiln to stop firing in RAMP 1 and begin firing in RAMP 2 This segment of the program allows the kiln to cool down to 1910 F in approximately half an hour and hold this temperature for 4 30 hours NOTE Tem
4. Table of Contents Tne hiteLid Support museer a nadie tatus raids Loading TREKIN Loicesxsssdedqadtetete ene a a Venting ranere na guai ed A O TOS TOPTIRA E E Biens b ene uad Firing Completion oiana i EAA A When Can You Unload the Kiln sese Vacutuiming The KIT isssssetibeosue e teo A Gan Vacuuming Digital KilnS csi wees eter tst em eod D BISGUG FIFING The Kin auanadeeie be n eer Rehd a Bisque Cone Fire Program e g cone 06 sss Cone 06 Bisque Firing Program Review sse Glaze Cone Fire Program e g cone 10 sees Cone 10 Glaze Firing Program Review see LO Select and Fire a Stored User Program e g crystalline glazing 11 Crystalline Glaze Firing User 1 Program Review sss 12 Ramp Hold Program e g crystalline glaze firing user 1 program 13 Paragon Guidelines Revised 9 14 13 The LiteLid Support Begin raising the lid using the center lid handle When the lid feels weightless hold a side lid handle with your other hand to guide the lid the rest of the way up Otherwise the lid could slam upward damaging the firebricks near the hinge and even possibly damaging the hinge itself Loading the Kiln 1 Work slowly and carefully Don t touch the firebrick walls if you can help it 2 Check each shelf for cracks ona SESS One of the secrets to keeping your kiln in good condition is in the way you hold the shelves when you
5. installed and will shut off automatically Instructions for the timers are located by the electrical outlet plug in switch 3 Move the lever on the shut off box to the on position Wait until both Idle and Kiln Temperature flash on the display panel before proceeding From this point you can access either the CONE FIRE PROGRAM on page 7 for bisque or on page 9 for glaze or the RAMP HOLD PROGRAM on page 13 4 Before every firing it is critical that the PROGRAM REVIEW is double checked Whoever starts the kiln is responsible for double checking the PROGRAM REVIEW press key 6 to ensure the current program is correct 5 Each kiln has a folder which contains a Paragon Firing Record Please document Firing Completion After the kiln has fired to completion the display will flash CPLT along with the length of the firing time the temperature reached and the present temperature inside the kiln 1 Record the length of the firing time and the temperature reached 2 Press the Stop Back button to end the present program 3 Press Firing Cost 8 on key board to view and record the kilowatts used Only kiln 2 has this feature 4 After recording all the information from the program move the lever on the shut off box to the off position 5 After the kiln has completed the firing and shut off leave the Orton Vent Master Fan on for at least another 30 minutes This is because even though the ware has fired
6. list for the bisque firing sequence will also be posted on the kiln controller for easy viewing CONE 06 BISQUE FIRING PROGRAM REVIEW The display should read DELA 00 00 CONE 06 1828 STD PRHT 08 00 HOLD 00 00 COOL 00 00 IDLE amp TEMP flashing KEYS TO PRES5 DISPLAY COMMENTS ENTER START START Kiln is now firing GLAZE CONE FIRE PROGRAM e g cone 10 1 Program operation will only be done by the kiln chair or a trained individual 2 Follow all of the Paragon Guidelines previously outlined 3 Vacuum the kiln before each glaze firing 4 Be sure that the kiln shelves you are using are silicon carbide 5 Cone 10 glaze firings will take place in February May August and November 6 All glaze firings require three cone packs top middle and bottom KEYS TO PRESS DISPLAY COMMENTS 1 CONE FIRE CONE Enter the cone number e g 10 10 10 Cone Temperature ENTER SPD Enter the firing speed 2 MED STD Standard firing speed ENTER PRHT Enter Pre heat time 00 00 00 00 Pre heat time ENTER HOLD Enter hold time 00 00 00 00 ENTER COOL Enter slow cooling rate 00 00 00 00 ENTER IDLE TEMP flashing Kiln is now ready to fire 7 Before every firing it is critical that the values entered are double checked Press key 6 Program Review and refer to Cone 10 Glaze Firing Program Review on next page before proceeding CONE 10 GLAZE FIRING PROGRAM REVIEW The display should read DELA 00 00 CONE 10 2345
7. perature will fluctuate during HOLD time 9 The user program will end here and turn off the kiln automatically Allow kiln to cool naturally Do not open cover take out peeps or unload kiln until it has cooled to room temperature about 80 F 11 Crystalline Glaze Firing User 1 Program Review The display should read USER 1 DELA 00 00 RA1 9999 7 FULL F1 2345 Hb 1 00 00 RA 2 9999 FULL F2 1910 HD 2 04 30 IDLE TEMP flashing KEYS TO PRESS DISPLAY COMMENTS ENTER START START Kiln is now firing 12 RAMP HOLD PROGRAM e g crystalline glaze firing user 1 program 1 Program operation will only be done by the kiln chair or a trained individual KEYS TO PRESS 4 RAMP HOLD 1 ENTER 9999 FULL ENTER 2345 ENTER 00 00 ENTER 9999 FULL ENTER 1910 ENTER 04 30 ENTER 00 00 ENTER DISPLAY USER RA1 9999 FULL F1 2345 Hb 1 00 00 RA 2 9999 FULL F2 1910 HD 2 04 30 RA 3 00 00 IDLE TEMP flashing 13 COMMENTS Enter program number Crystalline Glaze Firing Enter temperature rate for Ramp 1 Enter target temperature for Ramp 1 Hold time for Ramp 1 Enter temperature rate of Ramp 2 Enter target temperature for Ramp 2 Hold time for Ramp 2 Ramp 3 END USER 1 PROGRAM
8. pports 1 in from each corner and one in the middle Grog is also a proven theory to help aid with movement due to expansion and contraction if the slab is placed directly on the shelf 10 Heavy bottom pieces or thick ware should be placed in the center of the kiln away from the elements If it s possible to do so they should also be elevated on pieces of soft brick or 1 posts to allow moisture to escape from the bottom 11 Keep all ware at least 1 away from a heating element If ware extends closer than 1 to a wall place it between rows of elements 12 Keep all ware and kiln shelves at least 1 away from the side top and bottom of the end of the digital thermocouple blue 13 The top of ware should be at least 1 lower than the lid 14 Using the Prop R Vent displaces the stress from the cover being open to the frame Using a post or brick to prop the cover displaces the stress to the cover itself 15 The lid is made up of soft brick and is only held together by the metal band that surrounds the lid 16 Each kiln has a folder which contains a Paragon Firing Record form 17 Venting Firing the ware too fast and with insufficient venting causes more problems than any other firing practice To Start Kiln 1 Never fire the two kilns at the same time If the Prop R Vent is in use close the cover plug peep holes and turn on the Orton Vent Master Fan Timers for the fans have been
9. t the section for vacuuming the kiln Vacuuming Digital Kilns Check to make sure that the lever on the shut off box is in the off position before vacuuming A static electric charge can build up on the vacuum hose especially in dry weather Static electricity can damage electronics BISQUE FIRING THE KILN The Stages of Firing The thicker the ware and the more densely packed the kiln the slower the kiln must fire to insure that the heat reaches all of the ware Pieces that have thin and thick areas must also be fired slowly to allow the thick areas to catch up in temperature with the thin areas Stage One Water Smoking Up to 800 900 F All clays contain both physical and chemical water As the water heats it expands and is pushed out of the clay This is called water smoking Fast firing during this stage can lead to disaster Maintain temperature at 200 F or lower during water smoking and vent the kiln so that the water can escape The temperature for the pre heat stage of the firing is programmed by the manufacture for 200 F Stage Two Dehydration and Quartz Inversion 900 1100 F At around 1060 F the clay goes through quartz inversion which is the point at which the silica in the clay expands Stage Three Oxidation 500 2000 F Impurities burn out of the clay from the very beginning of the firing but especially during the Oxidation stage The ware must be heated slowly to give impurities such as carbon
10. to temperature it still releases fumes 6 Place ceramic plaque COOLING DON T OPEN YET on kiln When Can You Unload the Kiln Refer To Paragon Ceramic Kiln Instruction and Service Manual e Do not open the lid until kiln has cooled to room temperature and all switches are off e Do not remove the ware from the kiln until the kiln has cooled to room temperature 1 Move the lever on the shut off box to the on position Wait until both Idle and Kiln Temperature flash on the display panel When the kiln has cooled to room temperature 80 move the lever on the shut off box to the off position before proceeding 2 Open the lid by following the procedure outlined in The LiteLid Support on page one 3 Anything of importance should be documented on the Paragon Firing Record form e g incorrect loading explosions faulty firing flashing on the display or any and all error messages etc Vacuuming the Kiln Check all holes on top of kiln cover and bottom of floor to make sure it s clear of all debris Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush nozzle to remove brick dust from inside the kiln starting from the inner surface of the kiln lid and working your way to the bottom Vacuuming the element grooves is essential if anything has exploded inside the kiln Pieces of greenware and brick dust that lodge inside the grooves can burn out an element Document all activity on the Paragon Firing Record form by filling ou
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