Vol. 2, No. 2, March 1997

Product Spotlight:
Atmospheric Bell Jar Brazing System

The Lepel Bell Jar System allows precision brazing in an atmosphere of the user's choice. The Bell Jar can be used when localized heating requirements preclude furnace brazing. Made of transparent Pyrex glass, the Bell Jar is 18" in diameter by 30" high, and comes with an integral safety screen and manual counterbalanced hoist and guide rails for raising and lowering.

The jar is designed to work with positive pressure inside. Though it does not normally function as a vacuum, Lepel can make adjustments so vacuum applications can be performed. The system incorporates a 30 kW, 30 kH R.F. generator, along with a rotary spindle mechanism with height adjustment and SCR controlled D.C. motor for rotation control. Also included is a 2 gas (hydrogen and nitrogen) atmosphere system complete with timers, adjustable flow meters, and solenoid activated gas valves.

An electronic control system containing both manual and semi-automatic controls in a table-top mounted enclosure is incorporated into the system. The system comes with a welded aluminum table, 54" wide by 38" deep by 39-42" high, with side panels.

We're Unveiling a New Look at Westec

When the Westec show opens in Los Angeles, March 24-27, Lepel will be there - showing off our LSS Series, a new look in induction heating power supplies. The LSS is up to five times smaller and 350 kgs lighter than comparably powered units. With 100% solid-state components, this unit eliminates the warm-up and reduction-of-output which are typical of aging oscillator tubes.

We expect to impress a lot of visitors at Booth #2301 with features like our new concept in controls, and - as always - the accuracy and reliability of all Lepel products. So keep your ears open for the industry buzz, and drop by to check it out.

New Applications
  • Brazing dental braces
  • Heating pliable composites
  • Soldering at both ends of brass bellows simultaneously
  • Bond plastic instrument hub to small diameter steel pin
  • Selectively anneal rivets
  • Dry varnish on motor rotors
  • Solder brass flange to brass sink drains
  • Heat staples for bonding adhesive tape
Notes from the Web

Lepel has enhanced its web site with a new section providing customers with answers to the most frequently asked questions of the Lepel Service Department. Following is one of the questions currently on our web site and our response.

Q: The oscillator tube keeps popping out of the socket, even after resoldering. Why is this happening and how do I prevent it? (Note: This problem is particular to the 6960A (0018-0004) oscillator tube only.)

A: This problem is caused either by an inadequate water supply to the oscillator tube, usually caused by a blockage in the isolation hose assembly, or by a defective water cooling system.

Caution--Disconnect all power to the unit and discharge all capacitors before any testing procedures are started. SOLUTION:
Do the preliminary checks as follows . . .

  • Check the unit's outlet pressure, it should be close to the inlet pressure.
  • The higher the differential pressure, the lower the water flow through the unit.
  • Disconnect the water hose from the isolation hose assembly, and make sure there is enough water pressure and flow.
Note: Avoid getting any water inside the generator's cabinet; excess moisture can cause electrical problems.

The following diagram shows part of the water cooling system, which indicates water flow through the oscillator tube.

  • If there is no water flow or inadequate water flow at the outlet, then the isolation hose assembly is blocked.
  • Check if there is any corrosion or blockages on the tube socket fittings; replace and/or clear if necessary.
  • Replace the Isolation hose assembly (# 0043-0049) or flush to clear all blockages and make sure the water pressure meets the specifications.
  • Change the distilled water in the closed loop system.
Internet Update

Last November Vice President of Advertising Virginia Smith chaired the Inductotherm Industries Marketing/Sales Conference at Eagle Lodge near Philadelphia. Hosting the event was Mike Brown, President of Athena Controls, Inc., headquartered in Plymouth Meeting, PA. The two-day conference was attended by representatives from each of Inductotherm's 31 subsidiaries.

One of the main topics that Saturday was the Internet, and the agenda called for Bill Kelly, a senior programmer with our MIS department, to present a short seminar on the history, terminology, benefits, and drawbacks of the net. Mike Brown also talked about web presence and then led an exciting large-screen demonstration of "surfing the net." At that time 10 of Inductotherm's 31 companies had web pages, and all who attended the seminar had a great time checking them out. It was particularly fun for those first-time surfers who were just "getting their feet wet," and everyone agreed that our globe graphics were stunning.

Activity reports show that a lot of people have visited our web page. As an increasing number of engineers get access to the net at their desks, we can expect the number of qualified leads from that quarter to rise. Surf's up!