Edmund Bühler AM A500 Automatic Arc Melter
Edmund Bühler

Edmund Bühler AM A500 Automatic Arc Melter

Series: Arc Melting

Model: AM A500

An automated arc-melting and casting system for melting up to 500 g and casting up to 300 g, with PLC touchscreen control of evacuation, flushing, safety and process data.

Application / measured object:

Melting, alloying and casting of metals and alloys, with separate melting and casting charge limits.

Application area:

Product overview

AM A500 combines arc melting, automated evacuation/flushing and casting operations under PLC control. Melting/alloying charge is 100–500 g, while casting charge is maximum 300 g; the capacities are distinct.

Key features

  • Melting temperature up to 3500 °C; casting temperature up to approximately 1800 °C, with capacity depending on melting temperature.
  • Double-walled water-cooled high-vacuum chamber and crucible, with a common solid holder for melting/casting inserts, electric chamber lift and movable water-cooled tungsten electrode.
  • PLC with a 10-inch touch display; automated pumping/flushing, pneumatic casting-mould lift and changeover from melting to casting without conversion.
  • Current bar graph, vacuum/pressure logging and maximum-current limitation facilitate handling low-melting materials.
  • PLC safety functions include ignition-current limitation and monitoring of the eye-protection glass during ignition and melting.
  • Suction casting is optional: a two-piece insert produces round or rectangular rods up to 170 mm long.
  • Maximum pressure 1300 mbar is absolute pressure; 10–1000 A is a current range, not power in watts.
Structure and process overview
Process overview based on the manufacturer’s description; not a dimensional drawing.

Technical specifications

Parameter AM A500
Melting quantities – Melting and alloying 100 – 500 g, depending on melting temperatures
Melting quantities – Casting max. 300 g
Temperature max. 3500 °C
Vacuum < 10-2 to 10-5 mbar
Max. pressure 1300 mbar abs.
Melting current 10 – 1000 A
Connection 400 V, 3-ph, 50/60 Hz and 230 V, 1-ph, 50/60 Hz (different voltage on request)
Crucible inserts various versions available, customized solutions on request
Casting temperature up to approx. 1800°C

Basic equipment and optional accessories

Crucible inserts are available in various versions or as customised solutions; the suction-casting insert requires optional selection.

Applications and samples

Melting, alloying and casting of metals and alloys, with separate melting and casting charge limits.

Selection guidance

Check separate melting/casting charges, rod geometry and electrical supply; do not describe the 500 g melting capacity as a 500 g casting capacity.