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About Us
Making bright ideas brilliant. Harper International is a global leader in complete thermal processing solutions, as well as technical services essential for the production of advanced materials. From concept to commercialization, from research scale to full production line operations, Harper is perpetually on the cutting edge. Since our founding in 1924, we have pioneered some of the world’s most innovative, customized systems, with a focus on processing materials at high temperatures and in non-ambient atmospheres. Harper’s value proposition is unequaled — decades of industry experience, a highly specialized, multi-talented group of employees, and a passion for partnership. We don’t shoehorn a standard line of products to fit our customers’ requirements. We specialize in first-of-a-kind solutions using our exceptional depth and breadth of knowledge. Harper’s culture is one of genuine ingenuity and creativity, which ensures we are constantly challenging ourselves to craft the best-engineered technology solution for our customers’ unique thermal processing needs. Our Brand “Spark the Future”. Harper has a unique ability to turn our customers’ spark of an idea into reality. We do this through exceptional partnerships and a forward-thinking philosophy to deliver the most innovative thermal processing system possible. Our logo, tagline and accompanying imagery help to visually…
News and Events
Careers
At Harper, our core strength is the combined knowledge and effort of our unique and multi-talented employees, creating an authentic environment of innovation and collaboration. From engineering to accounting, marketing to manufacturing, Harper’s employees are challenged to think differently every day. This culture has enabled us to evolve into one of the world’s leading providers of cutting-edge thermal processing solutions for advanced material development. As an ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) company, Harper truly puts the future of the business in the hands of our employees, as every employee is a part owner. Our ESOP is essentially a company funded retirement plan that is uniquely tailored to motivate and reward employees for meeting strategic goals and objectives. Being part of an ESOP is a distinctive opportunity to truly see the fruits of your labor as the company achieves higher productivity and growth, and, in turn, greater employee satisfaction and compensation. Harper International believes strongly in the value of a diverse workforce. We have made a commitment to equal employment opportunity through a positive and continuing Affirmative Action Program. We recruit, hire, train and promote without regard race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally…
Harper Happenings
January 11, 2012 Industrial Processing GlobalSpec Online Exhibitor January 24-25, 2012 ICACC Daytona Beach, FL Booth #103 February 26-March 1, 2012 MCARE Clearwater, FL Gold Sponsor November 7-9, 2012 JEC AmericasBoston, MAStand A14
History of Harper
Harper traces its history back to John L. Harper, who patented and built the first electric kilns and furnaces in 1906 and established Harper Electric Furnace Company in 1924. At that time, Harper saw an opportunity with materials processing companies who operated combustion-heated furnaces that were incapable of providing the controlled atmosphere required to process advanced new materials. Determined to find a solution, a young engineer and an electric company executive conceived a better heating method – an electric-resistance-heated furnace capable of meeting the stringent new process requirements. The Harper Electric Furnace Corporation was born. Offering precise control of atmosphere and temperature, Harper furnaces quickly became a quality standard among materials processors and the forerunner of many innovations to come. Over the years, Harper has been a continued innovator of thermal processing solutions for the materials industry, including the first furnace to process nuclear fuels in the 1940s and the first commercial graphite-element furnace-equipment capable of operating at far higher temperatures under precise atmospheric control. Harper was a early partner to the carbon fiber industry, providing systems in the 1970s at its inception. Today, Harper is a trusted leader in thermal processing solutions for the growing carbon fiber market, and is the only thermal systems provider in the…
Industry Partnerships
Contact Us
Harper International Corp. 100 West Drullard Ave Lancaster, NY 14086-1698 Phone: 716-684-7400 Fax: 716-684-7405 info@harperintl.com Sales Inquiries: Harper is focused on comprehensive thermal processing technologies and services for your unique needs, applying our innovative solutions for your success. To contact us directly, please complete the below information as an initial scope of your request. For customers outside of the USA, you may contact one of our international sales offices. A representative will be in touch shortly to discuss your requirements in more detail. [contact-form 1 "Contact form 1"]
International Partners
Capabilities & Services
With Harper, you will find a partner uniquely qualified to make your thermal process challenge a success. No one else offers an end-to-end service approach with an all-encompassing range of technology solutions, delivered by a passionate and exceptionally skilled staff. That’s why world-leading material technology companies, as well as cutting edge start-ups, depend on Harper for ingenious, first-of-a-kind systems. Harper’s philosophy is not only to deliver comprehensive systems with the latest technologies, resulting in distinctive solutions, but also to design features that ensure the most efficient and effective operations. Whether it’s optimized waste gas treatment, control systems with predictive maintenance, or energy efficiency techniques, Harper always has the complete solution in mind. Of course, saying we’re the partner for you doesn’t get the job done — we’re eager to prove it. Learn more… Ignite™ with Harper Check out our patents Meet some of Harper’s innovators Research Center & Piloting facilities Customer testimonials Customer support
Ignite® – Process Development Program
From Spark to Finish. Get to market faster and more efficiently with Harper’s Ignite™ process. Harper enables companies in the development of advanced materials, from the lab to full commercialization, helping make their innovations a reality. Utilizing our depth and breadth of experience in thermal processing, we partner with our customer to ensure success as they scale up their process operations. Feasibility and Testing Optimization of process parameters is critical prior to investment in thermal processing equipment to ensure capacity and quality requirements are achieved. At our Technology Research Center, customers utilize Harper’s systems and expertise in their process development and process optimization for use in commercial scale-up and for those systems with unique specifications. Harper also provides a variety of additional analytical services such as gas analysis (critical to ensuring compliance with environmental regulations) electron microscopy, XRD, BET, and other thermal and elemental analysis. Learn more – Research Center & Pilot Facility Engineering Studies Count on our extraordinarily experienced engineering staff to conduct in-depth studies to determine equipment requirements and help define process parameters for optimal plant design to assist with technical and business strategy and financial planning. Our vast capabilities in thermal processing engineering studies include, but are…
Pulse® – Service & Technical Support
Pulse® Service Programs
Pulse® Frequently Asked Questions
Beacon® – Energy Efficiency Program
Research & Pilot Facilities
Technology Research Center Let Harper help bring your next material innovation from spark to reality. Hundreds of companies have used our Technology Research Center for process development and process optimization as they work toward commercial scale-up or with systems requiring unique process specifications. Customers can utilize numerous on site thermal systems to gather data and fine tune their processes, with a focus on varying production rates, temperature regimes, processing times, atmosphere compositions, and flow rates, resulting in savings on the investment ultimately required for new thermal processing systems. Harper has a wide variety of thermal systems that can handle your process conditions. Additionally, we have the ability to make modifications to tailor the existing pilot equipment to specific customer process requirements. Our range of equipment on site includes – Batch or continuous furnaces Sizes from small kilns to large furnaces, with 3 temperature zones Furnace conditions from atmospheric to nitrogen or specialty gases, with temperatures up to 2000°C Harper also provides a variety of analytical services to help you monitor and better optimize your process. These include on-site facilities such as gas analysis (critical to ensuring compliance with environmental regulations) as well as off-site facilities such as electron microscopy, thermal…
Innovation – Patents in action
Innovation comes standard at Harper. With every first-of-a-kind system we provide to our customers, we apply our years of experience, breadth of expertise, and expansive toolset in thermal processing, as demonstrated with our numerous technology patents. Learn below about just a few of the inventive solutions we have patented to bring the most precisely engineered designs to the market. Ideal Back-Mixed Flow – Riffle-Flights™ for Rotary Furnaces enable increased throughput by providing axial mixing for processing at a fixed average composition (continuous or batch), moderating exothermic reactions or, simply, continuous in-line mixing. Superior Sealing for Rotary Tubes – Provides lowest achievable atmosphere consumption. Seal purge rates reduced by 10-100X, ensuring purity of atmospheres and substantially improving product purity. Multi-flow Oxidation Ovens (Patent Pending) – Advanced Ovens with unique airflow distribution system with parallel, cross, and down airflow directions in a single oven. Uniformity specifications meet or exceed best-in-class for each flow regime. Multi-Axis Rotary Seal – Facilitates a gas-tight seal for atmospheric purity and separation, preventing interruption in production due to downtime and maintenance and helping ensure product quality. Specialized Purge Chamber – Devised for Slot Furnaces where ends are open, this design keeps atmospheric conditions inside the furnace pure,…
Innovation – People in action
At Harper, our core strength is the combined knowledge and effort of our unique and multi-talented employees, creating an authentic environment of innovation and collaboration. From engineering to accounting, marketing to manufacturing, Harper’s employees are challenged to think differently every day. Below are some of Harper’s own who are truly living our brand – passionate about the customer and pioneering new thermal technology solutions every day. “We’re exceptionally responsive to customers’ needs. In a moment’s notice, we’ve got people going out to all parts of the world, solving problems and addressing concerns.” Ronald Vacek Director of Project Management Learn more about Ron’s passion – Customer Support “We’re in markets for new materials, and you cannot assume that you can process them with the standard methods – you have to look for new ways to do it; you have to look for the next innovation.” Dr. Peter Witting Chief Engineer Read about how Peter’s idea turn into real Patents “You can know how something works. But to understand how it works is completely different. Not a lot of companies give you the opportunity to do that, and Harper is one of them.” Dr. Renee Bagwell Process and Technology Engineer Learn about what…
Client Testimonials
To be a trusted expert to our customers – this is a core element of Harper’s vision statement. The relationships that we form with our customers, based on confidence, collaboration, and mutual success, are what have made us one of the world’s foremost providers of thermal processing solutions for advanced materials. But don’t just take our word for it – read what real customers have to say about Harper… “Harper is very innovative. They have provided excellent, intuitive service, looking ahead into the future as to what we might need.” Timothy A. Dye Engineering Manager Toho Tenax America “Precise temperature controls, precise atmosphere controls and precise dwell times were mission critical. We knew there was only one company that we wanted to deal with, and that was Harper.” David Kautz CEO US Demil “The quality of the major equipment and design solutions reveal a very accurate care and a systematic approach to boost performance.” Jose Miguel Contreiras Commercial Manager / Board Member FISIPE
Customer Support
Furnace Technologies
Harper offers a variety of thermal processing solutions for customers in advanced materials markets, with thousands of installations worldwide from lab scale to complete production lines. Harper’s range of experience across different techniques, process methodologies and applications allows us to deliver unique solutions for every customer. Our experience in developing distinctive systems for every application covers calcination, graphitization, carburization, controlled oxidation, oxide reduction, purification, pyrolysis, drying, reduction, solid-solid reaction, gas-solid reaction, metalizing, debinding, and waste remediation. One thing you won’t see at Harper is a cookie cutter line of products that we work to fit into your requirements. We specialize in first-of-a-kind solutions using our exceptional depth and breadth of knowledge. Harper’s culture is one of real ingenuity and creativity – we are constantly challenging ourselves to craft the best-engineered technology solutions for our customers’ needs. Learn more… Furnace Technologies Oxidation Oven Technologies Complete Process Line Solutions
Which Furnace is Right for Me?
Microwave Heated Systems
Rotary Tube Furnaces
Rotary Furnace Solutions
Lab Scale Rotary Furnace
HC Series™ Configurable Rotary
Pusher Tunnel Furnaces
Belt Conveyor Furnaces
Vertical Conveyor Furnaces
Fluid Bed Furnaces
Other Furnace Technologies
Pre-Owned Furnaces For Sale
Carbon Fiber Solutions
Slot Furnaces
Oxidation Ovens
Harper offers advanced Oxidation Oven technology to complement its industry-leading furnaces for carbon fiber processing. Our state-of-the-art oven designs available for tow-bands from 300mm to greater than 4000mm. Harper’s designs incorporate a multitude of improvements beyond what’s available on the market today. Some of these designs improvements include: Superior atmospheric seals Continuous monitoring of supply, recirculation, and exhaust flow rates Improved, patent-pending nozzle design Process based instrumentation array Quadrant construction for improved installation For the customer, these technology advancements equal faster oxidation, improved velocity uniformity and range, assurance of temperature uniformity at a variety of flow rates, and optimal control of the reaction ultimately enhancing fiber quality. These improvements come in the form of clearly stated performance guarantees. The most distinctive feature of Harper’s cutting-edge design, the end seal, reduces fugitive emissions, increases the active volume of the oven, and offers reduced energy consumption over alternatives. The seals have independent adjustment of the top and bottom inside and outside slots. Additionally, the design includes separation plates between passes, so each pass sits within its own muffle. Each pass has an independent vent with adjustable draw control and the exhaust plenum connects to a dedicated fan/VFD. As a result of these innovative…
Ultra-High Temp Furnaces (UHT)
Complete Carbon Fiber Lines
Complete Lines – Scientific Scale
Complete Lines – Microlines®
Complete Lines – Pilot Scale
Harper’s capabilities extend from thermal equipment designs for a specific unit operation through fully integrated production lines producing carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes, and metal oxides. Our expertise in both pilot and production scale plants helps our clients’ link process steps ensuring the most efficient performance. From initial material handling to final product collection, working with one partner helps enable seamless and fluid plant operation. Harper is the only firm in the world who has successfully installed a fully integrated carbon fiber process line – see it for real here. Material Handling We take on a comprehensive view of issues pertaining to material transport that extend beyond individual unit operations. Our expertise designing material handling, raw material through product packaging, ensures best functionality, maximizes throughput, minimizes scrap and maintains consistent product quality. Harper offers a variety of feeding and material handling solutions, including creel stations, winders, drive stands, and material conditioning such as combs, moistener, spreader bars, bypass rollers, and centering roll systems. Pre & Post Treatment and Material Conditioning Harper engineers bring a wealth of experience in pre and post-treatment and material conditioning using a variety of solutions. Whether traditional or emerging methods – chemical, electrochemical, plasma, or gaseous treatments –…
Complete Lines – Production Scale
Industries
Harper serves advanced, cutting-edge material markets with custom-engineered thermal processing systems. Our support to these emerging industries begins in early stages of research and development, whether at corporate R&D centers, universities, government institutions, or start-ups. Harper is a partner through the entire development process assisting in the scale up and commercialization of advanced materials that will change our everyday lives. Carbon Fiber began more than 40 years ago with simple small scale production plants. Through partnerships with the leading producers and our continual innovation, current day production rates are 10 to 20x greater per production line. Harper’s commitment to state of the art technology provides efficient and consistent production rates at the lowest operating costs allowing our clients to become ever more competitive. Together, Harper and our partners meet and exceed the needs of each new and challenging application. Our cumulative experience and engineering expertise allows Harper to develop the optimum thermal processing system for your advanced material processing needs. Harper thermal systems include gas-solid or solid-solid reactors providing calcination, graphitization, carburization, controlled oxidation, reduction, purification, pyrolysis, drying, metalizing, debinding, waste remediation, and more. Precise control of temperature, process atmosphere, material flow, and residence time ensure consistent and uniform material…
Carbon Fiber
Harper is a trusted expert in innovative technology solutions for the carbonization and graphitization of a variety of fibrous and filamentary materials. Harper’s experience spans a variety of Carbon Fiber precursors including PAN, pitch, lignin, polyethylene, and rayon in tow, nonwoven mat, or discontinuous, loose fiber form. Since the inception of the Carbon Fiber industry, Harper has enabled manufacturer to achieve newer and greater heights with custom engineered systems. Harper initially pioneered the development of commercial ultrahigh temperature (UHT) furnaces for the market in the 1970s, and now owns a worldwide reputation as a leader in delivering thermal processing solutions that meet the increasing production challenges of this growing market. Harper’s capabilities for the production of Carbon Fibers range from individual thermal processing units to fully integrated production lines. Our expertise in both pilot and production scale plants helps the customer consider linking the individual process steps to ensure the line is performing at peak efficiency. From initial material handling to final product collection, working with one partner helps enable more seamless and fluid plant construction and schedule. Beyond Carbon Fibers, our progressive thermal technologies are utilized to produce Carbon Nanotubes. These nanotubes are used in combination with composite fibers/polymers…
Powders
Harper is trusted worldwide for thermal processing solutions for powders and granular materials, including inorganic chemicals, catalysts, phosphors and powdered metals. Our batch and continuous furnace reaction systems for these materials focus on processing materials in controlled and specialty atmospheric environments and at temperatures up to 3000°C, and can accommodate even very finely divided and/or micron and nano-sized materials. Our experience designing custom batch or continuous thermal processing systems for a variety of applications producing aluminas, carbon/graphite, silicas, titanates, tungsten, cobalt, iron, zinc, quartz, molybdenum, zirconia and more. Harper delivers innovative furnaces for these materials with a focus on processing in controlled and specialty atmospheric environments and at temperatures up to 3000°C. Harper’s expertise covers gas-solid or solid-solid reactors providing calcination, graphitization, carburization, controlled oxidation, reduction, purification, pyrolysis, metalizing, debinding, waste remediation, and more. As every material is unique, every processing system’s is as well. We don’t shoehorn a standard line of products to fit our customers’ requirements. We use our building blocks to deliver first-of-a-kind solutions for the customer’s distinctive needs in their powder production process while considering the most efficient and effective construction possible. Our focus is on precision control over temperature, purity, atmosphere, material flow and residence-time…
Metal Oxides
As the chemical industry expands into more complex and advanced products, Harper thermal processing systems evolve to support the market’s escalating needs. For decades, global companies have trusted Harper as their strategic partner for furnace technologies as they bring new materials to market and scale up their processing rates. Our experience designing custom batch or continuous thermal processing systems for a variety of applications producing aluminas, carbon/graphite, silicas, titanates, tungsten, cobalt, iron, zinc, quartz, molybdenum, zirconia and more. Harper delivers innovative furnaces for these materials with a focus on processing in controlled and specialty atmospheric environments and at temperatures up to 3000°C. Harper’s expertise covers gas-solid or solid-solid reactors providing calcination, graphitization, carburization, controlled oxidation, reduction, purification, pyrolysis, metalizing, debinding, waste remediation, and more. The design of a custom Harper system is sparked by understanding the customer’s goals and utilizing our exceptional skilled team to analyze their distinct process requirements for that specific metal oxide. Harper works to devise a complete solution with our range of offerings including gas treatment and handling and fully integrated control systems. Learn more… Technology for Metal Oxide Processing – Rotary Furnaces Technology for Metal Oxide Processing – Pusher Tunnel Furnaces Technology for Metal Oxide Processing – Belt Conveyor…
Technical Ceramics
Harper supports the ever-expanding advanced ceramics industry with innovative thermal processing solutions, as new product designs push the boundaries of existing technology and demand reduced size and weight and increased performance. Our focus is enabling our customers with furnace technologies that incorporate improved flexibility, operating efficiencies, and equipment control to help scale up production rates successfully. Harper’s experience spans a range of engineering ceramics, with extensive experience in designing for the production of silicon nitride, tungsten carbide, boron nitride and aluminas. Additionally, Harper kilns are widely used to calcine powders and sinter components such as thermistors, varistors and monolithic and multi-layer capacitors. As the utilization of specialty ceramics continues to grow through advancing aerospace, automobile, defense, energy, and bio-medical requirements, Harper aims to help enable companies from the lab to full commercialization, helping make their innovations a reality. We tailor our batch and continuous furnace systems to each unique application, ideal for processing in controlled and specialty atmospheric environments and at temperatures up to 3000°C. Additionally, we can work to devise a turnkey solution with our range of offerings including gas treatment and handling and fully integrated control systems. Learn more… Technology for Ceramics Processing – Rotary Furnaces Technology for Ceramics Processing…
Rare Earths
Harper has extensive experience in processing a variety of materials for the Rare Earths market. As Rare Earth materials become increasingly critical to the global supply chain of many new and emerging technologies, manufacturers must rely on a trusted partner like Harper to help scale up and refine their thermal processing regimes. Our solutions have been successful in meeting the exacting demands of this industry while enabling the customer towards greater competitive advantage. Our customized rotary and pusher systems for Rare Earth processing focus on indirect firing methods, a superior approach to meet the specific demands for this market due to delivering increased product purity and decreased energy consumption. Process materials come in contact only with controlled gases and a pure metal / ceramic tube. Additionally, the temperature profile of an indirect fired furnace can be more accurately controlled. This yields improvement of product quality, grain size distribution (low micron sized range) and morphology of particles. Dust and particle entrainment of the bed material is also substantially reduced in an indirect fired kiln. Learn more… Technology for Rare Earth Processing – Rotary Furnaces Technology for Rare Earth Processing – Pusher Tunnel Furnaces Scaling up your Production Process – Harper’s Research Center
Carbon & Graphene
Like our customers, Harper is perpetually on the cutting edge of our industry. Both academic and industrial organizations developing advanced materials like Graphene trust the Harper name for innovative solutions to their thermal processing challenges. Graphene is an exciting new material that presents extraordinary possibilities for advancements in electronics, batteries, medical applications, and more. As the market evolves and matures, Harper is a critical partner to the industry, supporting the optimization of process parameters to ensure capacity and quality requirements are achieved through scale up and commercialization. At our Technology Research Center, customers can utilize Harper’s furnace systems and expertise in their process development and process optimization for use in commercial scale-up prior to investment in thermal processing equipment. Harper also provides a variety of additional analytical services such as gas analysis (critical to ensuring compliance with environmental regulations) electron microscopy, XRD, BET, and other thermal and elemental analysis. Learn more… Technology Solutions for Graphene – Rotary Furnaces
Energy Device Materials
Developments in materials for energy storage devices, such as batteries, capacitors and super-capacitors, are progressing rapidly as cutting-edge applications demand power sources be smaller, lighter and more efficient. Harper’s extensive experience gives us the unique ability to deliver the most custom, innovative thermal processing system for these materials to enable the customer’s success in their manufacturing operations. Harper has designed advanced furnace systems for some of the world’s leading energy storage material companies. We focus on processing in controlled and specialty atmospheric environments and at temperatures up to 3000°C. Harper’s expertise covers calcination, graphitization, carburization, controlled oxidation, oxide reduction, purification, pyrolysis, drying, reduction, solid-solid reaction, gas-solid reaction, metalizing, debinding, waste remediation and more. Many companies on the cutting edge of research in new energy storage materials need assistance in developing and fine tuning their thermal regimes. At Harper’s Technology Research Center, customers can utilize a number of onsite furnace systems and have Harper’s expertise at their disposal to work through their process development and process optimization. Harper also provides a variety of additional analytical services such as gas analysis (critical to ensuring compliance with environmental regulations) electron microscopy, XRD, BET, and other thermal and elemental analysis. Learn more… Technology for…
Nuclear Materials
Materials for energy generation applications are becoming more critical as society looks towards alternative means of power beyond fossil fuel-based methods. Harper has been a critical partner for thermal processing solutions for decades to companies developing new energy generation technologies, focused in the areas of nuclear power, solar energy and fuel cells. Since 1957 when we produced our first nuclear fuel sintering furnace for General Electric, Harper has become the world’s leading provider of customized systems for reacting and sintering nuclear fuels. Harper is the preferred choice offering advancements in energy efficiency, temperature uniformity, maintenance, and safety control. Harper also offers reliable reactor systems for nuclear pellets conversion and spent fuel processing. As the development of energy generation materials continues to grow, Harper aims to enable companies from the lab to full commercialization, helping make their innovations a reality. We tailor our batch and continuous furnace systems to each unique application, ideal for processing in controlled and specialty atmospheric environments and at temperatures up to 3000°C. Additionally, we can work to devise a turnkey solution with our range of offerings including gas treatment and handling and fully integrated control systems. Learn more… Technology for Energy Material Processing – Rotary Furnaces Technology…
Resource Center
Learn more about Harper’s extensive range of capabilities and offerings. Brochures Coming soon! Publications White Paper – Advanced Reactor System for the Fine Control of Properties of Molybdenum Powder (.pdf) Case Studies Coming soon!
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About Us
Making bright ideas brilliant. Harper International is a global leader in complete thermal processing solutions, as well as technical services essential for the production of advanced materials. From concept to commercialization, from research scale to full production line operations, Harper is perpetually on the cutting edge. Since our founding in 1924, we have pioneered some of the world’s most innovative, customized systems, with a focus on processing materials at high temperatures and in non-ambient atmospheres. Harper’s value proposition is unequaled — decades of industry experience, a highly specialized, multi-talented group of employees, and a passion for partnership. We don’t shoehorn a standard line of products to fit our customers’ requirements. We specialize in first-of-a-kind solutions using our exceptional depth and breadth of knowledge. Harper’s culture is one of genuine ingenuity and creativity, which ensures we are constantly challenging ourselves to craft the best-engineered technology solution for our customers’ unique thermal processing needs. Our Brand “Spark the Future”. Harper has a unique ability to turn our customers’ spark of an idea into reality. We do this through exceptional partnerships and a forward-thinking philosophy to deliver the most innovative thermal processing system possible. Our logo, tagline and accompanying imagery help to visually…
News and Events
Careers
At Harper, our core strength is the combined knowledge and effort of our unique and multi-talented employees, creating an authentic environment of innovation and collaboration. From engineering to accounting, marketing to manufacturing, Harper’s employees are challenged to think differently every day. This culture has enabled us to evolve into one of the world’s leading providers of cutting-edge thermal processing solutions for advanced material development. As an ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) company, Harper truly puts the future of the business in the hands of our employees, as every employee is a part owner. Our ESOP is essentially a company funded retirement plan that is uniquely tailored to motivate and reward employees for meeting strategic goals and objectives. Being part of an ESOP is a distinctive opportunity to truly see the fruits of your labor as the company achieves higher productivity and growth, and, in turn, greater employee satisfaction and compensation. Harper International believes strongly in the value of a diverse workforce. We have made a commitment to equal employment opportunity through a positive and continuing Affirmative Action Program. We recruit, hire, train and promote without regard race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally…
Harper Happenings
January 11, 2012 Industrial Processing GlobalSpec Online Exhibitor January 24-25, 2012 ICACC Daytona Beach, FL Booth #103 February 26-March 1, 2012 MCARE Clearwater, FL Gold Sponsor November 7-9, 2012 JEC AmericasBoston, MAStand A14
History of Harper
Harper traces its history back to John L. Harper, who patented and built the first electric kilns and furnaces in 1906 and established Harper Electric Furnace Company in 1924. At that time, Harper saw an opportunity with materials processing companies who operated combustion-heated furnaces that were incapable of providing the controlled atmosphere required to process advanced new materials. Determined to find a solution, a young engineer and an electric company executive conceived a better heating method – an electric-resistance-heated furnace capable of meeting the stringent new process requirements. The Harper Electric Furnace Corporation was born. Offering precise control of atmosphere and temperature, Harper furnaces quickly became a quality standard among materials processors and the forerunner of many innovations to come. Over the years, Harper has been a continued innovator of thermal processing solutions for the materials industry, including the first furnace to process nuclear fuels in the 1940s and the first commercial graphite-element furnace-equipment capable of operating at far higher temperatures under precise atmospheric control. Harper was a early partner to the carbon fiber industry, providing systems in the 1970s at its inception. Today, Harper is a trusted leader in thermal processing solutions for the growing carbon fiber market, and is the only thermal systems provider in the…
Industry Partnerships
Contact Us
Harper International Corp. 100 West Drullard Ave Lancaster, NY 14086-1698 Phone: 716-684-7400 Fax: 716-684-7405 info@harperintl.com Sales Inquiries: Harper is focused on comprehensive thermal processing technologies and services for your unique needs, applying our innovative solutions for your success. To contact us directly, please complete the below information as an initial scope of your request. For customers outside of the USA, you may contact one of our international sales offices. A representative will be in touch shortly to discuss your requirements in more detail. [contact-form 1 "Contact form 1"]
International Partners
Capabilities & Services
With Harper, you will find a partner uniquely qualified to make your thermal process challenge a success. No one else offers an end-to-end service approach with an all-encompassing range of technology solutions, delivered by a passionate and exceptionally skilled staff. That’s why world-leading material technology companies, as well as cutting edge start-ups, depend on Harper for ingenious, first-of-a-kind systems. Harper’s philosophy is not only to deliver comprehensive systems with the latest technologies, resulting in distinctive solutions, but also to design features that ensure the most efficient and effective operations. Whether it’s optimized waste gas treatment, control systems with predictive maintenance, or energy efficiency techniques, Harper always has the complete solution in mind. Of course, saying we’re the partner for you doesn’t get the job done — we’re eager to prove it. Learn more… Ignite™ with Harper Check out our patents Meet some of Harper’s innovators Research Center & Piloting facilities Customer testimonials Customer support
Ignite® – Process Development Program
From Spark to Finish. Get to market faster and more efficiently with Harper’s Ignite™ process. Harper enables companies in the development of advanced materials, from the lab to full commercialization, helping make their innovations a reality. Utilizing our depth and breadth of experience in thermal processing, we partner with our customer to ensure success as they scale up their process operations. Feasibility and Testing Optimization of process parameters is critical prior to investment in thermal processing equipment to ensure capacity and quality requirements are achieved. At our Technology Research Center, customers utilize Harper’s systems and expertise in their process development and process optimization for use in commercial scale-up and for those systems with unique specifications. Harper also provides a variety of additional analytical services such as gas analysis (critical to ensuring compliance with environmental regulations) electron microscopy, XRD, BET, and other thermal and elemental analysis. Learn more – Research Center & Pilot Facility Engineering Studies Count on our extraordinarily experienced engineering staff to conduct in-depth studies to determine equipment requirements and help define process parameters for optimal plant design to assist with technical and business strategy and financial planning. Our vast capabilities in thermal processing engineering studies include, but are…
Pulse® – Service & Technical Support
Pulse® Service Programs
Pulse® Frequently Asked Questions
Beacon® – Energy Efficiency Program
Research & Pilot Facilities
Technology Research Center Let Harper help bring your next material innovation from spark to reality. Hundreds of companies have used our Technology Research Center for process development and process optimization as they work toward commercial scale-up or with systems requiring unique process specifications. Customers can utilize numerous on site thermal systems to gather data and fine tune their processes, with a focus on varying production rates, temperature regimes, processing times, atmosphere compositions, and flow rates, resulting in savings on the investment ultimately required for new thermal processing systems. Harper has a wide variety of thermal systems that can handle your process conditions. Additionally, we have the ability to make modifications to tailor the existing pilot equipment to specific customer process requirements. Our range of equipment on site includes – Batch or continuous furnaces Sizes from small kilns to large furnaces, with 3 temperature zones Furnace conditions from atmospheric to nitrogen or specialty gases, with temperatures up to 2000°C Harper also provides a variety of analytical services to help you monitor and better optimize your process. These include on-site facilities such as gas analysis (critical to ensuring compliance with environmental regulations) as well as off-site facilities such as electron microscopy, thermal…
Innovation – Patents in action
Innovation comes standard at Harper. With every first-of-a-kind system we provide to our customers, we apply our years of experience, breadth of expertise, and expansive toolset in thermal processing, as demonstrated with our numerous technology patents. Learn below about just a few of the inventive solutions we have patented to bring the most precisely engineered designs to the market. Ideal Back-Mixed Flow – Riffle-Flights™ for Rotary Furnaces enable increased throughput by providing axial mixing for processing at a fixed average composition (continuous or batch), moderating exothermic reactions or, simply, continuous in-line mixing. Superior Sealing for Rotary Tubes – Provides lowest achievable atmosphere consumption. Seal purge rates reduced by 10-100X, ensuring purity of atmospheres and substantially improving product purity. Multi-flow Oxidation Ovens (Patent Pending) – Advanced Ovens with unique airflow distribution system with parallel, cross, and down airflow directions in a single oven. Uniformity specifications meet or exceed best-in-class for each flow regime. Multi-Axis Rotary Seal – Facilitates a gas-tight seal for atmospheric purity and separation, preventing interruption in production due to downtime and maintenance and helping ensure product quality. Specialized Purge Chamber – Devised for Slot Furnaces where ends are open, this design keeps atmospheric conditions inside the furnace pure,…
Innovation – People in action
At Harper, our core strength is the combined knowledge and effort of our unique and multi-talented employees, creating an authentic environment of innovation and collaboration. From engineering to accounting, marketing to manufacturing, Harper’s employees are challenged to think differently every day. Below are some of Harper’s own who are truly living our brand – passionate about the customer and pioneering new thermal technology solutions every day. “We’re exceptionally responsive to customers’ needs. In a moment’s notice, we’ve got people going out to all parts of the world, solving problems and addressing concerns.” Ronald Vacek Director of Project Management Learn more about Ron’s passion – Customer Support “We’re in markets for new materials, and you cannot assume that you can process them with the standard methods – you have to look for new ways to do it; you have to look for the next innovation.” Dr. Peter Witting Chief Engineer Read about how Peter’s idea turn into real Patents “You can know how something works. But to understand how it works is completely different. Not a lot of companies give you the opportunity to do that, and Harper is one of them.” Dr. Renee Bagwell Process and Technology Engineer Learn about what…
Client Testimonials
To be a trusted expert to our customers – this is a core element of Harper’s vision statement. The relationships that we form with our customers, based on confidence, collaboration, and mutual success, are what have made us one of the world’s foremost providers of thermal processing solutions for advanced materials. But don’t just take our word for it – read what real customers have to say about Harper… “Harper is very innovative. They have provided excellent, intuitive service, looking ahead into the future as to what we might need.” Timothy A. Dye Engineering Manager Toho Tenax America “Precise temperature controls, precise atmosphere controls and precise dwell times were mission critical. We knew there was only one company that we wanted to deal with, and that was Harper.” David Kautz CEO US Demil “The quality of the major equipment and design solutions reveal a very accurate care and a systematic approach to boost performance.” Jose Miguel Contreiras Commercial Manager / Board Member FISIPE
Customer Support
Furnace Technologies
Harper offers a variety of thermal processing solutions for customers in advanced materials markets, with thousands of installations worldwide from lab scale to complete production lines. Harper’s range of experience across different techniques, process methodologies and applications allows us to deliver unique solutions for every customer. Our experience in developing distinctive systems for every application covers calcination, graphitization, carburization, controlled oxidation, oxide reduction, purification, pyrolysis, drying, reduction, solid-solid reaction, gas-solid reaction, metalizing, debinding, and waste remediation. One thing you won’t see at Harper is a cookie cutter line of products that we work to fit into your requirements. We specialize in first-of-a-kind solutions using our exceptional depth and breadth of knowledge. Harper’s culture is one of real ingenuity and creativity – we are constantly challenging ourselves to craft the best-engineered technology solutions for our customers’ needs. Learn more… Furnace Technologies Oxidation Oven Technologies Complete Process Line Solutions
Which Furnace is Right for Me?
Microwave Heated Systems
Rotary Tube Furnaces
Rotary Furnace Solutions
Lab Scale Rotary Furnace
HC Series™ Configurable Rotary
Pusher Tunnel Furnaces
Belt Conveyor Furnaces
Vertical Conveyor Furnaces
Fluid Bed Furnaces
Other Furnace Technologies
Pre-Owned Furnaces For Sale
Carbon Fiber Solutions
Slot Furnaces
Oxidation Ovens
Harper offers advanced Oxidation Oven technology to complement its industry-leading furnaces for carbon fiber processing. Our state-of-the-art oven designs available for tow-bands from 300mm to greater than 4000mm. Harper’s designs incorporate a multitude of improvements beyond what’s available on the market today. Some of these designs improvements include: Superior atmospheric seals Continuous monitoring of supply, recirculation, and exhaust flow rates Improved, patent-pending nozzle design Process based instrumentation array Quadrant construction for improved installation For the customer, these technology advancements equal faster oxidation, improved velocity uniformity and range, assurance of temperature uniformity at a variety of flow rates, and optimal control of the reaction ultimately enhancing fiber quality. These improvements come in the form of clearly stated performance guarantees. The most distinctive feature of Harper’s cutting-edge design, the end seal, reduces fugitive emissions, increases the active volume of the oven, and offers reduced energy consumption over alternatives. The seals have independent adjustment of the top and bottom inside and outside slots. Additionally, the design includes separation plates between passes, so each pass sits within its own muffle. Each pass has an independent vent with adjustable draw control and the exhaust plenum connects to a dedicated fan/VFD. As a result of these innovative…
Ultra-High Temp Furnaces (UHT)
Complete Carbon Fiber Lines
Complete Lines – Scientific Scale
Complete Lines – Microlines®
Complete Lines – Pilot Scale
Harper’s capabilities extend from thermal equipment designs for a specific unit operation through fully integrated production lines producing carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes, and metal oxides. Our expertise in both pilot and production scale plants helps our clients’ link process steps ensuring the most efficient performance. From initial material handling to final product collection, working with one partner helps enable seamless and fluid plant operation. Harper is the only firm in the world who has successfully installed a fully integrated carbon fiber process line – see it for real here. Material Handling We take on a comprehensive view of issues pertaining to material transport that extend beyond individual unit operations. Our expertise designing material handling, raw material through product packaging, ensures best functionality, maximizes throughput, minimizes scrap and maintains consistent product quality. Harper offers a variety of feeding and material handling solutions, including creel stations, winders, drive stands, and material conditioning such as combs, moistener, spreader bars, bypass rollers, and centering roll systems. Pre & Post Treatment and Material Conditioning Harper engineers bring a wealth of experience in pre and post-treatment and material conditioning using a variety of solutions. Whether traditional or emerging methods – chemical, electrochemical, plasma, or gaseous treatments –…
Complete Lines – Production Scale
Industries
Harper serves advanced, cutting-edge material markets with custom-engineered thermal processing systems. Our support to these emerging industries begins in early stages of research and development, whether at corporate R&D centers, universities, government institutions, or start-ups. Harper is a partner through the entire development process assisting in the scale up and commercialization of advanced materials that will change our everyday lives. Carbon Fiber began more than 40 years ago with simple small scale production plants. Through partnerships with the leading producers and our continual innovation, current day production rates are 10 to 20x greater per production line. Harper’s commitment to state of the art technology provides efficient and consistent production rates at the lowest operating costs allowing our clients to become ever more competitive. Together, Harper and our partners meet and exceed the needs of each new and challenging application. Our cumulative experience and engineering expertise allows Harper to develop the optimum thermal processing system for your advanced material processing needs. Harper thermal systems include gas-solid or solid-solid reactors providing calcination, graphitization, carburization, controlled oxidation, reduction, purification, pyrolysis, drying, metalizing, debinding, waste remediation, and more. Precise control of temperature, process atmosphere, material flow, and residence time ensure consistent and uniform material…
Carbon Fiber
Harper is a trusted expert in innovative technology solutions for the carbonization and graphitization of a variety of fibrous and filamentary materials. Harper’s experience spans a variety of Carbon Fiber precursors including PAN, pitch, lignin, polyethylene, and rayon in tow, nonwoven mat, or discontinuous, loose fiber form. Since the inception of the Carbon Fiber industry, Harper has enabled manufacturer to achieve newer and greater heights with custom engineered systems. Harper initially pioneered the development of commercial ultrahigh temperature (UHT) furnaces for the market in the 1970s, and now owns a worldwide reputation as a leader in delivering thermal processing solutions that meet the increasing production challenges of this growing market. Harper’s capabilities for the production of Carbon Fibers range from individual thermal processing units to fully integrated production lines. Our expertise in both pilot and production scale plants helps the customer consider linking the individual process steps to ensure the line is performing at peak efficiency. From initial material handling to final product collection, working with one partner helps enable more seamless and fluid plant construction and schedule. Beyond Carbon Fibers, our progressive thermal technologies are utilized to produce Carbon Nanotubes. These nanotubes are used in combination with composite fibers/polymers…
Powders
Harper is trusted worldwide for thermal processing solutions for powders and granular materials, including inorganic chemicals, catalysts, phosphors and powdered metals. Our batch and continuous furnace reaction systems for these materials focus on processing materials in controlled and specialty atmospheric environments and at temperatures up to 3000°C, and can accommodate even very finely divided and/or micron and nano-sized materials. Our experience designing custom batch or continuous thermal processing systems for a variety of applications producing aluminas, carbon/graphite, silicas, titanates, tungsten, cobalt, iron, zinc, quartz, molybdenum, zirconia and more. Harper delivers innovative furnaces for these materials with a focus on processing in controlled and specialty atmospheric environments and at temperatures up to 3000°C. Harper’s expertise covers gas-solid or solid-solid reactors providing calcination, graphitization, carburization, controlled oxidation, reduction, purification, pyrolysis, metalizing, debinding, waste remediation, and more. As every material is unique, every processing system’s is as well. We don’t shoehorn a standard line of products to fit our customers’ requirements. We use our building blocks to deliver first-of-a-kind solutions for the customer’s distinctive needs in their powder production process while considering the most efficient and effective construction possible. Our focus is on precision control over temperature, purity, atmosphere, material flow and residence-time…
Metal Oxides
As the chemical industry expands into more complex and advanced products, Harper thermal processing systems evolve to support the market’s escalating needs. For decades, global companies have trusted Harper as their strategic partner for furnace technologies as they bring new materials to market and scale up their processing rates. Our experience designing custom batch or continuous thermal processing systems for a variety of applications producing aluminas, carbon/graphite, silicas, titanates, tungsten, cobalt, iron, zinc, quartz, molybdenum, zirconia and more. Harper delivers innovative furnaces for these materials with a focus on processing in controlled and specialty atmospheric environments and at temperatures up to 3000°C. Harper’s expertise covers gas-solid or solid-solid reactors providing calcination, graphitization, carburization, controlled oxidation, reduction, purification, pyrolysis, metalizing, debinding, waste remediation, and more. The design of a custom Harper system is sparked by understanding the customer’s goals and utilizing our exceptional skilled team to analyze their distinct process requirements for that specific metal oxide. Harper works to devise a complete solution with our range of offerings including gas treatment and handling and fully integrated control systems. Learn more… Technology for Metal Oxide Processing – Rotary Furnaces Technology for Metal Oxide Processing – Pusher Tunnel Furnaces Technology for Metal Oxide Processing – Belt Conveyor…
Technical Ceramics
Harper supports the ever-expanding advanced ceramics industry with innovative thermal processing solutions, as new product designs push the boundaries of existing technology and demand reduced size and weight and increased performance. Our focus is enabling our customers with furnace technologies that incorporate improved flexibility, operating efficiencies, and equipment control to help scale up production rates successfully. Harper’s experience spans a range of engineering ceramics, with extensive experience in designing for the production of silicon nitride, tungsten carbide, boron nitride and aluminas. Additionally, Harper kilns are widely used to calcine powders and sinter components such as thermistors, varistors and monolithic and multi-layer capacitors. As the utilization of specialty ceramics continues to grow through advancing aerospace, automobile, defense, energy, and bio-medical requirements, Harper aims to help enable companies from the lab to full commercialization, helping make their innovations a reality. We tailor our batch and continuous furnace systems to each unique application, ideal for processing in controlled and specialty atmospheric environments and at temperatures up to 3000°C. Additionally, we can work to devise a turnkey solution with our range of offerings including gas treatment and handling and fully integrated control systems. Learn more… Technology for Ceramics Processing – Rotary Furnaces Technology for Ceramics Processing…
Rare Earths
Harper has extensive experience in processing a variety of materials for the Rare Earths market. As Rare Earth materials become increasingly critical to the global supply chain of many new and emerging technologies, manufacturers must rely on a trusted partner like Harper to help scale up and refine their thermal processing regimes. Our solutions have been successful in meeting the exacting demands of this industry while enabling the customer towards greater competitive advantage. Our customized rotary and pusher systems for Rare Earth processing focus on indirect firing methods, a superior approach to meet the specific demands for this market due to delivering increased product purity and decreased energy consumption. Process materials come in contact only with controlled gases and a pure metal / ceramic tube. Additionally, the temperature profile of an indirect fired furnace can be more accurately controlled. This yields improvement of product quality, grain size distribution (low micron sized range) and morphology of particles. Dust and particle entrainment of the bed material is also substantially reduced in an indirect fired kiln. Learn more… Technology for Rare Earth Processing – Rotary Furnaces Technology for Rare Earth Processing – Pusher Tunnel Furnaces Scaling up your Production Process – Harper’s Research Center
Carbon & Graphene
Like our customers, Harper is perpetually on the cutting edge of our industry. Both academic and industrial organizations developing advanced materials like Graphene trust the Harper name for innovative solutions to their thermal processing challenges. Graphene is an exciting new material that presents extraordinary possibilities for advancements in electronics, batteries, medical applications, and more. As the market evolves and matures, Harper is a critical partner to the industry, supporting the optimization of process parameters to ensure capacity and quality requirements are achieved through scale up and commercialization. At our Technology Research Center, customers can utilize Harper’s furnace systems and expertise in their process development and process optimization for use in commercial scale-up prior to investment in thermal processing equipment. Harper also provides a variety of additional analytical services such as gas analysis (critical to ensuring compliance with environmental regulations) electron microscopy, XRD, BET, and other thermal and elemental analysis. Learn more… Technology Solutions for Graphene – Rotary Furnaces
Energy Device Materials
Developments in materials for energy storage devices, such as batteries, capacitors and super-capacitors, are progressing rapidly as cutting-edge applications demand power sources be smaller, lighter and more efficient. Harper’s extensive experience gives us the unique ability to deliver the most custom, innovative thermal processing system for these materials to enable the customer’s success in their manufacturing operations. Harper has designed advanced furnace systems for some of the world’s leading energy storage material companies. We focus on processing in controlled and specialty atmospheric environments and at temperatures up to 3000°C. Harper’s expertise covers calcination, graphitization, carburization, controlled oxidation, oxide reduction, purification, pyrolysis, drying, reduction, solid-solid reaction, gas-solid reaction, metalizing, debinding, waste remediation and more. Many companies on the cutting edge of research in new energy storage materials need assistance in developing and fine tuning their thermal regimes. At Harper’s Technology Research Center, customers can utilize a number of onsite furnace systems and have Harper’s expertise at their disposal to work through their process development and process optimization. Harper also provides a variety of additional analytical services such as gas analysis (critical to ensuring compliance with environmental regulations) electron microscopy, XRD, BET, and other thermal and elemental analysis. Learn more… Technology for…
Nuclear Materials
Materials for energy generation applications are becoming more critical as society looks towards alternative means of power beyond fossil fuel-based methods. Harper has been a critical partner for thermal processing solutions for decades to companies developing new energy generation technologies, focused in the areas of nuclear power, solar energy and fuel cells. Since 1957 when we produced our first nuclear fuel sintering furnace for General Electric, Harper has become the world’s leading provider of customized systems for reacting and sintering nuclear fuels. Harper is the preferred choice offering advancements in energy efficiency, temperature uniformity, maintenance, and safety control. Harper also offers reliable reactor systems for nuclear pellets conversion and spent fuel processing. As the development of energy generation materials continues to grow, Harper aims to enable companies from the lab to full commercialization, helping make their innovations a reality. We tailor our batch and continuous furnace systems to each unique application, ideal for processing in controlled and specialty atmospheric environments and at temperatures up to 3000°C. Additionally, we can work to devise a turnkey solution with our range of offerings including gas treatment and handling and fully integrated control systems. Learn more… Technology for Energy Material Processing – Rotary Furnaces Technology…
Resource Center
Learn more about Harper’s extensive range of capabilities and offerings. Brochures Coming soon! Publications White Paper – Advanced Reactor System for the Fine Control of Properties of Molybdenum Powder (.pdf) Case Studies Coming soon!
Ron Vacek, Director of Project Management
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Ron Vacek, Director of Project Management
Ron Vacek, Director of Project Management
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2011-03-04T21:08:09-05:00
March 4th, 2011
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