• Vacuum furnace engineering and technology
• Controlled atmosphere furnaces
• High-temperature processing materials
• Evolution from analog to digital systems in furnace technology
• Everyday products made using vacuum furnaces
• Hiking the 4,000-footers in New Hampshire

[Intro]
Host (Dominick DeLuca): Welcome to In The Loop, a New England Temperature Solutions podcast. I’m your host, Dominick DeLuca, President of NETS. Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Joe Pinsenault, a friend and expert in the vacuum furnace industry, with over 40 years of experience in the field. Joe has been a key figure in the evolution of controlled atmosphere furnaces and has seen tremendous advancements throughout his career. Joe, thanks for being here today!

Joe Pinsenault: Thanks for having me, Dom. It’s a pleasure to be here.

Dominick: So Joe, before we get into the technical stuff, why don’t you tell the audience a little bit about your background?

Joe: Sure! Well, I’ve been in the vacuum furnace industry for over 40 years now. I started right out of college as a draftsman, and over the years, I worked my way up to engineering manager. I’ve been involved in many advancements in furnace technology, particularly around high-temperature applications and the materials that go into building these systems.

Dominick: That’s impressive! You’ve seen a lot of changes in the industry. But before we dig into that, I know you’re also an avid hiker. You’ve been working your way through the 4,000-footers in New Hampshire, right?

Joe: Yep! I’ve done 39 of the 48 so far. Hiking has been a great way to stay active, especially now that I have more free time. I love being outdoors, and it’s a nice balance to my technical work.

Dominick: 39 out of 48? That’s amazing. Any plans to finish the rest soon?

Joe: Oh, absolutely. The hard ones are left, but I’m determined to get through them. It’s been a rewarding challenge.

[The Evolution of Vacuum Furnaces]
Dominick: So, Joe, let’s dive into the real meat of today’s conversation. How have vacuum furnaces evolved over the course of your career?

Joe: Well, the construction of vacuum furnaces hasn’t changed drastically when it comes to the materials used—graphite, tungsten, molybdenum, and tantalum are still the main ones for high-temperature applications. What has changed significantly is the electronics and control systems. Back in the day, everything was analog; we used potentiometers for adjustments. Now, it’s all digital, with automation and remote control capabilities. The furnaces almost communicate with us today!

Dominick: That’s incredible. You’ve gone from manual adjustments to almost fully automated systems.

Joe: Exactly. The move to digital has been a game-changer, though it’s also introduced some challenges. Electronics, especially in harsh environments, are more prone to failure than the older analog systems. Still, the efficiency and precision of modern systems make it worthwhile.

[Vacuum Furnaces in Everyday Products]
Dominick: For our listeners who might not know, vacuum furnaces aren’t just some industrial tool—they’re behind a lot of the products we use every day. Can you talk about some of the more common applications?

Joe: Sure! Almost every electronic device you use—from smartphones to cars—relies on components that have been processed in a vacuum furnace. For example, LEDs, electronic circuits, and even certain car parts, like brakes, require precise heating processes that can only be achieved in a controlled atmosphere. Medical devices, too. It’s quite surprising when you realize how many things go through vacuum furnaces.

Dominick: Wow. It’s amazing how such a niche piece of equipment plays such a crucial role in modern life.

[Q&A with Andy]
Dominick: We have Andy from our engineering team joining us today. Andy has a few questions about the practical side of vacuum furnaces, especially for those new to the field. Andy, go ahead.

Andy: Thanks, Dominick. Joe, I’m curious—how big can these vacuum furnaces get? What’s the largest part you’ve ever seen processed in one?

Joe: Well, when we talk about vacuum furnaces, we’re usually dealing with chambers that can fit reasonably large parts, but there’s a limit. A meter cubed or two meters cubed is a typical large size for vacuum furnaces. However, for specific applications, like continuous furnaces that are purged with inert gases, they can be huge. I’ve seen furnaces large enough to fit a train car! But those are highly specialized.

Andy: Fascinating. Another question I had—how have vacuum furnaces evolved specifically in terms of temperature capacity?

Joe: Temperature-wise, we’ve come a long way. Most vacuum furnaces operate around 1,000°C to 3,000°C, with some pushing beyond that for specific applications. We’ve even had furnaces reach up to 3,500°C, and there are a few experimental systems pushing 4,000°C. But going that high brings challenges—both in materials and control.

[The Future of Vacuum Furnace Technology]
Dominick: With these advancements, where do you see the future of vacuum furnace technology heading?

Joe: I think we’re going to see more integration with new materials and 3D printing. For example, 3D printing of metals that are then processed in vacuum furnaces for strength and durability is becoming more common. We’re also going to see more industries, like aerospace and medical, rely on vacuum furnaces for precise manufacturing of components.

Dominick: It’s exciting to hear about the potential for growth. I imagine we’ll see more of these developments in the near future.

[Closing Thoughts]
Dominick: Well, Joe, this has been a fascinating conversation. Before we wrap up, any final thoughts you’d like to share with our listeners?

Joe: Just that I’m incredibly optimistic about the future of vacuum furnace technology. It’s been a long journey, and I’ve been fortunate to see so much progress. For anyone interested in this field, now is a great time to get involved because the future is bright, and the possibilities are endless.

Dominick: I couldn’t agree more. Joe, thank you so much for joining us today and for sharing your wealth of knowledge.

Joe: My pleasure, Dominick. Thanks for having me.

Dominick: And thank you, Andy, for your great questions. For everyone listening, if you have any questions or want to learn more about the thermal processing industry, feel free to reach out to us at nets-inc.com. And don’t forget to share this episode on social media!

Joe: Thanks again, and take care!

Dominick: Thanks, everyone, for tuning in. Until next time, keep exploring, and stay In The Loop!

[Outro]
Announcer: Thank you for getting In The Loop with us! If you have any questions or need assistance with anything related to thermal processes, feel free to reach out to us at 888-486-6387 or visit our website at nets-inc.com. Don’t forget to send in your topics or suggestions for future podcasts. Have an awesome day, every day!

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