¶ How to Use an Auburn Instruments PID Controller
¶ Terminology
- PID Controller: A Proportional--Integral--Derivative Controller.
The PID controller reads the kiln's temperature and turns the heating element on if it is below the programmed value. - Kiln Shelves: Flat pieces of ceramics that act as shelves inside the klin. Suitable for temperatures up to 2500F
- Kiln Furniture: Pieces of ceramic that look like building blocks used to hold up kiln shelves. Can handle temperatures up to 2500F
- Ramp: Changing temperature over a set time. i.e., Ramp from 70 up to 1955 over 6 hours.
- Soak: Hold at a set temperature by ramping from the same temperature you started at. . i.e., Ramp from 1855 to 1855 for 30 minutes.
¶ To Fire the Kiln
- Vacuum kiln
- Position the kiln in a safe, designated area
- Lock casters so the kiln will not move. (this may require wheel blocks)
- Load kiln with objects to be fired
a. Position all objects at least 1" away from all walls.
b. All gazed objects must be placed on a cookie or spikes
c. Ensure all objects are to be fired at the same temperature! - Plug the kiln into the 220v outlet and turn on the top switch; this turns on the controller.
- Start your desired program (according to the table below):
a. Press SET
b. Select the Start step (according to the table below)
c. Press SET two times. - To set up a custom program, refer to the common functions below.
- Turn on the large coil switch; this turns on the elements and allows them to heat up.
¶ Display
When running, the top number is the measured temperature (in Fahrenheit), and the bottom is the set value (the temperature the kiln tries to reach).
¶ Cone Firing Table for Auburn Instruments Kilns
Cooling will depend on thermal mass and ambient temperature. Expect it to take at least as long as the duration to temp.
See the section below for specific ramp/soak graphs.
| Cone | Start Step | End Step | FiringTemp | Duration to Temp | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04 | 1 | 5 | 1971F | ~6:00hrs | Bisque, Low Glazes |
| 6 | 6 | 10 | 2269F | ~8:50hrs | Porcelain Bisque, Mid Fire Clays |
| 019 | 11 | 17 | 1252F | ~5:25 (to start of controlled cooling) | Glass Slumping (sagging), total run time 9:25hrs |
| 021 | 18 | 21 | 1143F | ~4:10hrs (to start of controlled cooling) | Glass Paint, Total run time 8:10hrs |
| Custom Program Steps | 22 | 28 | N/A | N/A | Step 29-30 should NEVER be adjusted, it is always an end program. C = 70, T = -121 (end program, all off) |
| 29-30 | End Program, all off |
¶ Common Functions
¶ Hold Program
Press DOWN for 2 seconds. When a program is under "HOLD," the controller will maintain temperature until the program is resumed.
¶ Stop Program
Press UP for 2 seconds. When a program is stopped, the controller resets to step 1 and turns off the kiln.
¶ Run Program
To start running a program or resume a program that is on "hold," or "stop" press DOWN for 2 seconds until the lower window shows "run."
¶ Check step number
Press [SET]
- First Press: The top window displays "STEP." The lower window shows the step number.\
- Second Press: Shows the timer information. The top window shows the duration of the current step in minutes. The bottom window shows the running time in minutes of that step.\
- Third Press: Return to home display.
¶ Firing Graphs
Note: Cool-down times vary. None of our kilns have active cooling; the cooling rate will depend on ambient temperature and thermal mass.
¶ Pre-Programmed Bisque Firing Schedule
| Cone | Start Step | End Step | FiringTemp | Duration to Temp | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04 | 1 | 5 | 1971F | ~6:00hrs | Bisque, Low Glazes |
¶ Pre-Programmed Glaze Firing Schedule
| Cone | Start Step | End Step | FiringTemp | Duration to Temp | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 10 | 2269F | ~8:50hrs | Porcelain Bisque, Mid Fire Clays |
