Configure your Econoclave.

ASC's plant runs on 480 V / 3-phase power, so for PW2 through PW6 we test the autoclave in-house on a rented diesel generator. The generator rental and slightly higher motor costs are priced into the project, so expect a small increase in price.

How it works

A stainless steel tank, main circulation pump, tower pump, and cooling tower. The main pump sends cold water to the autoclave and back; as the tank warms, the controls start the tower pump and fan to strip heat. The tower drains completely back to the tank after each cycle, and is sized to hold water below 120 °F (48 °C) even at maximum cooling under full load. Each pump has a flexible stainless isolator, isolation valves, gauge, and local disconnect.

Fully integrated and tested

Except on very large Econoclaves, the tank (304 stainless, with level control), pumps, and controls are mounted on the rear skid, plumbed, wired, and tested with the autoclave in our shop. The tower ships separately for your roof or an optional stand.

Choosing a configuration

• Open tower (CL1): the most popular choice for mid-size and large Econoclaves. Evaporation removes the heat, and makeup water replaces what evaporates. Because the tower gravity drains to an indoor tank, it is inherently freeze protected.
• Closed tower (CL2): process water runs through a stainless tube bundle, keeping tower water separate for better water quality.
• Water-to-water exchanger (CL3): a plate exchanger to your own process or chilled water. Common on small Econoclaves such as the EC1×2, 2×4, and 3×5.
• Radiator cooler (CL4): a closed, ground-level fin-fan cooler that keeps water quality high, but final cooling is limited by ambient temperature. Not recommended for aggressive low-temperature cooling in hot climates.
• Chiller (CL5): expensive at Econoclave cooling loads. Suggested only for small autoclaves or where very low final temperatures or fast low-temperature cooling are required.

A note on glycol

Never run ethylene glycol in water that passes through the autoclave; on a hot cooling coil it can produce noxious fumes. Where the tank cannot be indoors, we use a multi-loop system with glycol only in the outside loop, separated by an intermediate heat exchanger.

ASC standardizes on Airtech L-series rotary-vane, oil-sealed pumps for aerospace vacuum. Each includes an exhaust filter, vibration isolators, and anti-suckback valve, and reaches 29.8 inHg (2 mmHg) at 60 Hz and sea level.

With VP2, the PC can run a single pump, both pumps, or auto-switch between them for balanced duty and redundancy.

Sizing

Our rule of thumb for composites is about 2 cfm per vacuum source line. A autoclave with 10 source lines gets an L25 pump rated at 20 cfm.

The VR option adds an integrated receiver tank, a transducer connected to the PC, and two PC-controlled valves, for recipe-based control of system vacuum to ±1 inHg (24 mmHg). Smaller Econoclaves use solenoid valves; larger systems use proportional valves.

VacTraps condense volatiles and solvents far more effectively during high-temperature cures. The ASC-designed modular system uses stainless ball valves, custom aluminum trap blocks, and a chiller.

Purging used to rely on operators opening the door and running the fan for 5 to 10 minutes before entering. It works, but it depends on diligence. The PG option makes it automatic and includes:

• A high-pressure purge blower that brings the autoclave to breathable air (19.5% oxygen) in under 30 minutes
• High-capacity purge air inlet and nitrogen outlet valves
• A safety blow-out box
• An air sampling pump and valves, with multi-point sampling down the length of longer autoclaves
• An oxygen monitor with a 10-year sensor and a red/green stack light
• A door interlock that prevents opening until 19.5% oxygen is confirmed

Extra safety

A flow sensor confirms the sample pump is working during monitoring, and the purge fails if the autoclave fan stops early. To prevent the blower back-pressure failures seen on some competitors' autoclaves, the fresh air valve has a hard-wired pressure interlock and a single-acting actuator, backed by the blow-out box. Faster purges than 30 minutes are available, at significantly higher cost.

Transfer cart

Used on the shop floor to carry the load cart between the layup room and the autoclave. It has a handle, a pair of swivel wheels, and a lock that secures it to the autoclave while the load cart rolls in or out.

Load carts

Single-level carts roll on the autoclave rails (V-groove or channel) with an expanded metal or flat plate top. Multi-level carts stack tools and parts; a sales engineer will confirm your exact requirements.

Rotating bridge (BG1, BG1A)

The most popular choice for its simplicity and low cost. The bridge is stored at pit-floor level during the cure, then raised, rotated, and lowered into a recessed slot in the pit wall and a landing at the autoclave. The cylinder only moves the bridge; the load rests on passive supports, which is extremely safe. Larger bridges use BG1A, with dual cylinders and hydraulic rotation.

Sliding bridge (BG2, BG2A)

The bridge sits on a cart that rolls aside. It needs spare floor space and a slightly larger pit. BG2A positions it with a long air cylinder.

Pivoting drawbridge (BG3)

A large hydraulic cylinder pivots the bridge up to a vertical position in front of the door during the cure.

Scissor-lift bridge (BG4)

A hydraulic scissor lift raises and lowers the bridge and supports it during loading. It needs a deeper pit and uses corner lock pins for stability.

We use one of our preferred shippers, and the quote includes all costs and insurance. For ocean freight we can quote CIF port of entry or DDU to your factory. Because our standard markup applies, buying freight directly from a carrier will usually cost less.

The RG option covers offloading at your facility and rigging the autoclave into its final position, using our own crew plus local crane and rigging contractors as needed. For larger autoclaves it includes leveling in the pit before installation.

IN1: Installation assistance

Less expensive than full installation. One ASC expert works on site for a fixed number of days, with airfare, rental car, hotel, and subsistence included. Installation takes from 3 to 5 days for small autoclaves up to 5 to 6 weeks for large, complex units.

IN2: Full installation

All material and labor to install the equipment, including mechanical and electrical connections, crews, travel, lift equipment, and rental vehicles. It connects:

• Autoclave to water tank: main and auxiliary water piping, conduit, and wiring
• Autoclave to compressed air and pressurized nitrogen utilities
• Water tank to plant water
• Vacuum vent to building vent or exterior
• Silencer to your roof or wall penetration
• Anchoring the autoclave to the floor; for pit autoclaves with a bridge, bridge placement and the air-over-oil tank
• Floor-mounted control enclosure placement and wiring

IN2 assumptions

• Water, compressed air, nitrogen, and the electrical disconnect are within 10 ft of the autoclave
• A roof-mounted cooling tower is placed by the customer before ASC arrives, within 30 ft (pipe length) of the tank
• Exhaust and vacuum vent runs are no longer than 30 ft
• The customer provides 480 V job-site power and waste removal

IN2 exclusions

Available separately on request:

• Transportation (TR) and startup and training (ST)
• Rigging into the pit or final location (RG)
• Pit ladders, railings, sump pumps, and pit changes
• Crane placement of a cooling tower on the roof
• Civil work: foundations, walls, and wall and roof penetrations and sealing

For small autoclaves and control systems, the engineer is typically on site for 5 days; larger autoclaves can take 2 weeks or more. The engineer validates every safety and functional system, runs tests to confirm performance against your requirements, and trains your engineers, operators, quality staff, and maintenance staff in programming, operation, and support. Training certificates are available on request.