Working diagram and description

1. Control panel: this is located on the front of the device, and allows the operator to select the amount of power delivered and the operating temperature.
2. Medium-frequency generator: transforms the power supply voltage into medium-frequency energy, which drives the coil. The amount of energy supplied to the coil can be adjusted.
3. Coil: transforms the medium-frequency energy, provided by the medium-frequency generator, into a variable magnetic field.
4. Crucible: contains the metal to be melted; the crucible is heated by currents induced therein by the magnetic field generated by the coil. In order to obtain an efficient transfer of energy, the crucible is placed within the coil.

Control of the apparatus is entrusted to a microcomputer, which accepts instructions from the operator (switching on and off, adjustment of the power delivered and selection of melting temperature), checks that the machine is working correctly by means of a self-diagnostic device, and uses voice synthesis to give information about the melting of the metal and any action necessary on the part of the operator The power delivered, which depends on the temperature to be reached and the mass of the metal to be melted, can be adjusted digitally by the operator.

The machine is also equipped with a thermoregulator with a pyrometer, via which the temperature the metal must reach during the melting phase can be set.
The temperature sensor can be a dual-wavelength optical reader or an immersion thermocouple.
In addition to the power supply, the machine requires a water supply for the cooling system for the electronic power devices inside, connections for which are made on the left side of the machine.
The cooling water supply is monitored by a flowswitch, which prevents the machine from operating in the case of supply failure or low water flow-rate.

The water temperature is controlled by a thermostat which blocks operation of the machine if overheating occurs.