Kiln VibrationOccasionally a kiln may vibrate when an Orton kiln ventilation system is added. This is NOT normal. Orton Kiln Ventilation Systems should not vibrate.Orton makes several ventilation system models. The best ventilation system for glass and ceramic kilns is a down draft system. The down draft system brings air in through small hole or holes in the top of the kiln and exhausts the air out of the kiln through small hole or holes in the floor of the kiln. Orton makes three versions of the down draft vent system. The most popular model (due to price) is the "Plate Version." The plate version is a metal plate which has the ventilation motor attached to it. The plate is placed on top of your existing metal kiln stand and then the kiln is placed on top of the vent. The plate version kiln vent system seems to be the model most likely to vibrate. There are three reasons, which cause the plate version ventilation system to vibrate. First: The kiln stand is not level. All 4 legs must be touching the floor and the stand level. Second: The squirrel cage is not centered. If the vent is dropped during shipping or installation, that can jar the squirrel cage. It is easy to see if this is the problem. You take the kiln off the vent and turn on the vent. Look down into the vent and see if the squirrel cage is rotating in the center or if it is rotating off center. If it is rotating off center, this is probably your source of vibration. If this is the problem, it is not something that can be fixed by you because the squirrel cage and motor is a single unit; you need to send the vent to Orton for repair or replacement. Third: The swirling air can create a noise harmonic. The solution to this event is to place a 1/2" thick fiber blanket - with a hole cut in its center so the vent can draw in air - between the kiln and kiln vent system. The second version of the down draft vent system is the "Stand Version." The stand version vent system is a complete vent system and stand all made as one unit. This unit is much less susceptible to vibration. The third version of the down draft vent system is the "Floor Mount System." This system is similar to the plate version but it has a round hose fitting attached to the plate instead of the vent motor. A flexible metal hose is attached to the fitting and then the flexible metal hose is attached to the actual vent system, which sits on the floor behind the kiln; you then attach a second flexible hose to the actual vent system and vent it to the outside. You can attach 1 or 2 kilns to this vent system and fire both of the kilns at the same time and the vent system will vent both kilns at the same time. The floor mount version kiln vent unit cannot vibrate the kiln because the vent motor and squirrel cage are not touching the kiln directly, plus you have the added ability to vent two kilns at the same time if you desire. Orton does not want users of their vent systems to have any problems. Orton is very receptive to assisting anyone with a problem, just contact them for assistance. |
Centre DeVerre 3 Robinson Road, Unit A2 Directions Bow, NH 03304
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Eastern
Toll free: ( 800 ) 958-5319
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