Pyrometric cones vs a kiln controller

A controller follows thermocouple temperature and a schedule; a pyrometric cone responds to the combined effect of time and temperature, called heatwork.

Procedure

1. A controller follows thermocouple temperature and a schedule; a pyrometric cone responds to the combined effect of time and temperature, called heatwork.
2. Use the correct cone type and mounting. A three-cone set can show guide, target and overfire conditions in one zone.
3. Record cone location and photograph the result. A single controller number does not describe uniformity throughout the load.

What to record in CeramikaTo

• Work or sample code and date.
• Material, batch, cone, schedule and position.
• Observation separated from hypothesis.

Common mistakes

• Changing several variables at once without a control sample.
• Missing batch, cone or kiln-position information.
• Treating an estimate as a guarantee.