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cones vs. computer controllers

updated wed 13 jan 99

 

Georg =?iso-8859-1?Q?R=F8nning?= on sun 10 jan 99

I have joined the group a few days ago, and as a potter i Norway your
postings seems quite strange to me. You are talking about cones related
to many situations, but I wonder : Don't you use computer controllers
?? I have read about kiln sitters and cones and would like your opinion
on the advantages compared to/ as a supplement to computer controllers.

We use cones mainly as an instrument to check if a kiln if fireing is ok
- even temperature top/bottom. As far as I know, we can not buy a kiln
with kiln sitter without on special order from the States. So what is
the secrets ??

Georg

Stephen J. Lewicki on tue 12 jan 99

At 08:16 AM 1/10/99 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I have joined the group a few days ago, and as a potter i Norway your
>postings seems quite strange to me. You are talking about cones related
>to many situations, but I wonder : Don't you use computer controllers
>?? I have read about kiln sitters and cones and would like your opinion
>on the advantages compared to/ as a supplement to computer controllers.
>
>We use cones mainly as an instrument to check if a kiln if fireing is ok
>- even temperature top/bottom. As far as I know, we can not buy a kiln
>with kiln sitter without on special order from the States. So what is
>the secrets ??
>
>Georg
>
We sell kilns with two kinds of controls. The older type, which we call
"manual" comes with a Dawson Kiln Sitter/Timer and input switches for each
zone. a cone is inserted in the Dawson Kiln Sitter. When this cone bends
the kiln shuts off. The new "automatic" kilns have a computor which
controls the temperature of the kiln based on a reading from three
thermocouples. On either type of kiln we recommend you fire with witness
cones at different levels in the kiln. This will show you more accurately
what is happening during the firing than the thermocouple readings of the
kiln control. You can then use this information to calibrate the control by
adjusting the control with thermocouple and cone offset values. Visit our
website at for detailed information.
Stephen Lewicki
Phone: (610) 328-2147
Fax: (610) 459-3689 (Please do not fax anything confidential)
Email: sjl@craftech.com