A vacuum-purging, semi-continuous controlled-atmosphere brazing (CAB) furnace was delivered to a North American automotive aftermarket manufacturer. Seco/Warwick, which supplied the unit, says it is the first of its kind.

The furnace, equipped with vacuum purging in the loading and unloading chamber, reduces nitrogen consumption and, therefore, cost. The tight furnace controls also help optimize brazing atmosphere quality, which is particularly important when used to braze heat exchangers joints in a closed space. Vacuum purging allows for the removal of oxygen from these spaces before brazing, a function that cannot be achieved by traditional purging, says Seco/Warwick.

The CAB furnace will allow the manufacturer to braze its own heat exchangers, control quality and manage its production schedules more reliably to improve deliveries to customers.