PID Controlled Ovens 

I took on the project of revamping two separate ovens that were inoperable. Both were donated, with scrapped hardware and electrical. These ovens were required for the decrease curing time of composite materials and propellant. 

To achieve this, all electrical and hardware had to be replaced, including new PID controllers, heating elements, and safety features. 

Our propellant oven, with just a simple bottom heating element, was considered unsatisfactory for our needs. Therefore, it required a bit more ingenuity. The heating element was removed from the bottom and placed on top with a metal guard. Furthermore, to increase circulation throughout the oven, a cylindrical fan was used (was for gas fireplaces!). To increase safety as propellant was being cured, 190F thermal fuses were also installed. Finally, cork lining was installed around all surfaces in case the underlying metal reached unsafe temperatures.

This redesign allowed for my research group to cure 6 4" propellant grains in an oven with redudant safety measures in place.