Definition
The six-channel furnace temperature tracker is a data acquisition device used to record and analyze temperature changes at multiple locations during heat treatment. It usually contains six independent temperature measurement channels to monitor the temperature at different points at the same time, and is suitable for temperature curve measurement in industrial furnaces, reflow soldering ovens, ovens and other thermal processing environments.
Principle
The instrument is based on the temperature sensing principle of thermocouples or thermal resistors, which convert thermal energy into electrical signals through multiple sensors. Each channel independently collects signals, compensates for cold end and linearizes them through internal circuits, and then converts them into digital temperature values by analog-to-digital converters. The data logger stores the temperature data at set sampling intervals, which are then curved and analyzed by software. Its core relationship can be expressed as:V = S(T) × ΔT + V0, where V is the output potential, S(T) is the Seebeck coefficient, ΔT is the temperature difference, V0to compensate for the voltage.
Measurement method
Before measurement, the appropriate type of thermocouple should be selected according to the process requirements and installed at the temperature measurement point. The tracker is connected to the sensor and placed in a heat treatment equipment that goes through the thermal process with the workpiece. The instrument records the temperature of each channel according to the preset frequency, and after the process, the data is exported to the analysis software through the interface. The software generates temperature-time curves to evaluate whether parameters such as ramp-up rate, constant temperature time, peak temperature, etc. meet process specifications.
Influencing factors
The measurement accuracy is affected by the sensor installation position, contact tightness, thermal radiation interference and the device's own sampling rate. Electromagnetic interference in the environment can introduce signal noise. Thermocouple aging or degradation of insulation can cause data drift. In addition, the large heat capacity of the tracker may cause a thermal load effect on the small object under test.
Applications
The equipment is widely used in the monitoring of reflow and wave soldering processes in the electronics manufacturing industry, the temperature verification of coating and drying lines in the automotive industry, the heat distribution test of sterilization kettles in food processing, and the optimization of material heat treatment processes. In the aerospace sector, it can be used for temperature field analysis of composite curing processes. In the new energy industry, such equipment is often used for temperature uniformity evaluation of battery electrode piece baking furnaces.
Selection considerations
When selecting, it is necessary to confirm whether the number of channels meets the requirements of the measurement point, and the measurement range should cover the process temperature limit and leave a margin. The sampling rate should be higher than the frequency of process temperature changes, usually no less than once per second. The protection level should be adapted to the measurement environment, and a heat insulation box should be equipped in high temperature occasions. The data storage capacity should ensure that the entire thermal process is fully documented. Compatible thermocouple types need to be consistent with existing standards. The functionality of the analysis software and the versatility of the data export format are also important considerations.