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OEM Device Control · Solution

Elmes Thermal Process Controller (sintering, drying, heat treatment)

Coming soonIn field testing

A furnace controller that runs programmed temperature profiles safely and resumes where it left off.

Request information Specifications
Elmes Thermal Process Controller: 7-inch HMI panel showing temperature profile, stage and remaining time, with its control board

Overview

The problem. Makers of sintering, drying and heat-treatment furnaces mostly combine an off-the-shelf PID controller, a separate program unit and separate door/safety logic. The interface is fragmented, profile programming is hard, a power cut restarts the program from the beginning, and for heaters such as MoSi₂ that have low resistance when cold, transformer current protection is handled outside the controller. In zirconia sintering, a deviation of a few degrees at the 1530 °C hold step directly affects product quality.

The solution. The Elmes Thermal Process Controller brings temperature measurement (MCP9600, type S thermocouple, 18-bit), PID + dead-time compensation, step programs (5 steps, 4 programs; t3 user-adjustable in one of them), a power ceiling (transformer protection at low temperature), output ramping, door lock, fan relay, run-hour counter and a 7" touch HMI together on one board. After a STOP or a blown fuse, START positions the profile at the right step and time based on the furnace temperature (“resume where it left off”). Application-specific protections, such as a forbidden output band (80–84 %) against transformer resonance seen in the field, are added as parameters.

Platform advantage. The same software framework (programs/recipes, alarms, logging, PID, HMI) is shared with the other applications on the OEM Device Control Platform; for drying or heat treatment, only the sensor type, output stage and profile scheme change.

Off-the-shelf PID + separate program unitPLC + HMIElmes Thermal Process Controller
Profile programLimited, separate deviceProject-specific software5 steps × 4 programs, curve on the HMI
Dead-time compensation / power ceilingNone / externalMust be programmedBuilt in, parameterized
Resume where it left offNoMust be programmedBuilt in
Door lock / cool-down logicExternal relayMust be programmedBuilt in
Cost (OEM series)MediumHighLow to medium
CustomizationNoneIn every projectParameters/HMI through NRE
Industrial furnace front: HMI embedded in the control column, chamber glowing orange beneath the raised door
In use

This product is in development or field testing. Contact us for technical information, pilot use and a preliminary quotation.

Features

  • Power ceiling (transformer protection): MoSi₂ heaters have low resistance when cold; the output is limited according to the temperature band.
  • Dead-time compensation: a 30 s look-ahead from a 16 s trend offsets filter lag.
  • Forbidden output band: the power band where transformer resonance was observed (80–84 %) is skipped with hysteresis.
  • Resume where it left off: after a STOP or blown fuse, the right step and time in the profile are found from the furnace temperature.
  • Door safety: the lock engages at START; the door opens only below the set safety temperature; the lift-door variant (TP-S-L) adds a motor drive and a two-stage START.
  • Run-hour and program counter: service/warranty tracking on the HMI settings page.
  • Simulation mode (debug): end-to-end program testing on the bench with a qualitative furnace model, including fault injection.
  • Parameter-based customization: PID, ceiling, ramp, cut-off, izone, TMAX and runaway thresholds are set from the console and saved.
  • TargetExpansion: multi-zone control, PT100/type K inputs, Modbus RTU, Wi-Fi monitoring, program library (recipes) and process logging.

Variants

Variants
Model codeApplicationSensorOutputDoorStatusRequest information
TP-SSintering (1530–1700 °C, MoSi₂ heater)Type S thermocouple (type B planned)0–10 V → SSR, transformer current protectionElectric lockIn field testingRequest information: TP-S
TP-S-LSintering, lift doorType S0–10 V SSRLift motor + lockExisting variant; moving to the new platformRequest information: TP-S-L
TP-DTargetDrying (≤ 300 °C)Type K / PT100Relay or SSR, fanOptionalPlannedRequest information: TP-D
TP-HTargetHeat treatment (≤ 1200 °C)Type K / NSSR, multi-zoneOptionalPlannedRequest information: TP-H
HMIDisplay options: 7" DWIN T5L 800×480 (current); 4.3" DWIN or DiscOS———4.3" and DiscOS options plannedRequest information: HMI

Specifications

Values marked “Target” are design targets, next-generation values or chip-vendor data; they are updated as measurement and certification are completed.

Measurement
Temperature inputMCP9600, type S thermocouple, 18-bit, I²C; digital filter (EMA, ~41 s)
Measurement range−50…1850 °C valid range; TMAX default 1650 °C
Inputs / outputs
Heater outputPWM ≈ 9.8 kHz → ULN → 0–10 V → SSR; 0–100 %
Relay outputsDoor lock, fan
Extended outputs4 relays + 2 SSR driversTarget
Digital inputsDoor status
Extended inputs4 DI (door, emergency stop, thermal overload)Target
Software
Programs4 programs × 5 steps; sample profile: t1 30 min 0→300 °C, t2 60 min →1000 °C, t3 variable →1530 °C, t4 120 min hold, t5 120 min →700 °C; in program 3, t3 is user-adjustable (1–720 min)
ControlPID (default Kp 0.05 / Ki 0.0005 / Kd 1.5) + dead-time compensation + power ceiling + 2 %/s ramp + cut-off + 80–84 % forbidden band
ResumePositions the profile from the furnace temperature (PV)
AlarmsSensor fault, over-temperature, runaway; HMI error page
LoggingCSV telemetry on the USB console (debug); 10-hour curve on the HMI
Process logPersistent process log + USB/Wi-Fi exportTarget
Run-hour counterRUN minutes + completed program count; flash ping-pong storage, ~85,000-hour life
Performance & fail-safe
Hold stability (simulation)1528.6–1530.0 °C; overshoot ≤ 6.4 °C (τ 1200–2400 s)
SafetyIWDG ~4 s, EmergencyOff, configuration range validation, configuration version migration (v1→v3)
Door-open safety temperature150–700 °C, adjustable
Architecture
MCUSTM32F070CB, 48 MHz
New platform boardOEM Device Control Platform board (STM32G0)Target
Interfaces
HMI7" DWIN T5L touchscreen, 800×480
Service interfaceUSB-CDC console (debug build), SWD
Firmware updateVia SWD; no OTA
OTAWi-Fi/USB updates through the platform bootloaderTarget
Power
Board supply5 V / 3.3 V
OEM supply input24 VDCTarget
Warranty & service
Warranty2 yearsTarget
ServiceAnkara, Türkiye

Applications

  • Zirconia sintering furnaces
  • Technical ceramics sintering
  • Drying ovens
  • Heat-treatment furnaces
  • Laboratory ashing furnaces
  • Programmable temperature control

Applications: dental-lab zirconia sintering furnaces (1530 °C), technical ceramics sintering (≤ 1700 °C, MoSi₂), drying ovens (paint, food, laboratory), heat-treatment furnaces (annealing, tempering), laboratory ashing furnaces and general programmable temperature control.

Industries: furnace manufacturers, dental lab equipment suppliers, ceramics, metal heat treatment, laboratory instrument makers.

Customization: PID and protection parameters are set from the console; the HMI and output stage are adapted to the furnace through NRE.

Compliance & documentation

The device is in field testing; CE documentation and the manual set are being prepared according to the plan below.

  • CE — LVD / EMC
    Target
  • EN 60519 furnace safety note
    Target
  • Operator manual
    Target
  • Parameter / service manual (console commands)
    Partially complete
    Target
  • Wiring diagram
    Target

Frequently asked questions

Which thermocouples are supported?

Type S today (MCP9600). Support for types K, N, B and PT100 through customization is planned.

What is the maximum temperature?

It depends on the application; the sintering version runs a 1530 °C profile with 1700 °C heaters, and TMAX is 1650 °C (adjustable).

Does the program restart from the beginning after a power cut?

No; at START it resumes from the step and time in the profile that match the furnace temperature.

How many programs are there?

4 programs × 5 steps; in one program, t3 is user-adjustable. A recipe library is planned.

When can the door be opened?

At the end of cool-down, once the temperature is below the set safety temperature (150–700 °C).

Can it be adapted to my furnace?

Yes; PID and protection parameters are set from the console, and the HMI and output stage are adapted through NRE.

Is remote monitoring available?

Not today; it is planned through the Wi-Fi module of the OEM Device Control Platform.

What about warranty and service?

A 2-year warranty is planned; service is in Ankara.

Get information about this product

Our engineering team replies within 24 hours.

Request information +90 (312) 395 85 86

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