Rollerhearth

Rollerhearth, also known as a roller-hearth furnace, refers to a class of continuous heat-treatment equipment used in manufacturing. A rollerhearth consists of a refractory-lined chamber with a moving bed of rollers that supports and conveys workpieces through the heated environment. The arrangement enables long production runs and precise control over temperature and atmosphere.

Operation and design typically involve heat provided by electric coils or gas burners, with the ability to sustain controlled atmospheres such as inert, reducing, or mildly oxidizing as required by the process. The furnace is usually divided into zones along its length, each with adjustable temperature and atmosphere to create a desired thermal profile as parts travel the line. Roller decks are designed to minimize surface marking and to withstand wear, often incorporating cooling systems to manage heat transfer to the rollers and guides.

Applications for rollerhearth furnaces are broad and include continuous processing of metals, such as annealing and brazing of steel strips, tubes, and wires, as well as heat treatment of aluminum and other alloys. They are also used in the processing of certain glass and ceramic products, including annealing and controlled firing. The primary advantages are high throughput and consistent heating, which help produce uniform material properties across long runs.

Variants and design considerations cover inline single-path configurations, multi-zone layouts, and either rotary or fixed-bed arrangements that maintain precise product positioning. Vacuum-compatible versions exist for specialty processes, and modern installations often feature automated loading, digital process control, and integrated cooling or quenching steps.

See also: rotary hearth furnace, belt furnace.