Custom Pit Furnace Mesh Basket Fixture System for Italian Customer | FH® Alloy

Custom Pit Furnace Mesh Basket Fixture System for an Italian Customer
Customer Case Study | Engineering Design, Manufacturing, Final Inspection & Delivery
Customer Location: Italy
Product: Custom Pit Furnace Mesh Basket Fixture System
Application: Pit Furnace / Heat Treatment
Project Scope: Engineering Design → 3D Modeling → Manufacturing → Final Inspection → Delivery
Manufacturer: Wuxi Junteng Fanghu Alloy Technology Co., Ltd. (FH® Alloy)

Project Overview
FH® Alloy received an inquiry from an Italian customer for a custom pit furnace mesh basket fixture system.

The customer did not provide a complete production drawing. Instead, they shared:

• actual operating conditions,
• dimensional and structural requirements,
• photos of the existing fixture,
• and expected design details for the mesh basket system and related accessories.

Based on this information, FH® Alloy was asked to design a complete fixture solution, including the main fixture structure, mesh baskets, mesh panels and related accessories.

After reviewing the customer's requirements, FH® Alloy completed the engineering design and developed the final 3D models for the full fixture assembly and key individual components. The project then moved forward into manufacturing, final quality inspection and shipment.

This case demonstrates FH® Alloy’s ability to design a complete custom heat treatment tooling system from operating data and reference photos, even when the customer does not have full drawings.

Customer Requirements
The customer’s operating and dimensional requirements included the following points.

Operating Conditions

• Maximum temperature: 980°C (used only occasionally)
• Common daily maximum temperature: around 920°C
• Cooling process: water + polymer or oil
• For a workpiece of approximately 100 mm diameter:
  
  • about 4 minutes to cool down to 100°C in water
  • about 6–7 minutes in mineral oil

Main Technical Requirements

• Total weight of fixture + goods in basket(s): 2500–2700 kg maximum
• Central pole height: 2300 mm
• Central pole diameter: 125 mm
• Base spoke section: height 150 mm, diameter 1300 mm maximum (to fit the furnace)
• Upper spoke section: height 100 mm, diameter 1300 mm
• Basket height: 200 mm
• Basket diameter: 1300 mm
• Wire diameter: 5 mm
• Square mesh opening: 30 × 30 mm
• Central bordered hole: 220 mm diameter
• 6 spacers per fixture
  
  • spacer height: 200 mm
  • spacer thickness: 12 mm
• Each fixture must be equipped with a lifting system

Customer Challenge
This project was not a simple build-to-print order.
The Italian customer needed a supplier who could convert application data and existing reference photos into a complete, manufacturable tooling system.
The project involved several engineering challenges.

1. No Complete Customer Drawing
The customer had no finalized full production drawing for the complete tooling system.
FH® Alloy needed to convert technical information and product photos into a complete engineering solution.
2. Large Circular Structure
The basket fixture system uses large-diameter circular components, with the basket and upper/lower support structures reaching up to 1300 mm in diameter.
Large circular heat treatment fixtures require careful structural planning to ensure load-bearing stability and practicality in furnace loading.
3. Heavy Total Load
The total working load of fixture + goods could reach 2500–2700 kg, which required a robust design for the central support system, trays, mesh baskets and lifting structure.
4. Cooling and Thermal Service Conditions
The tooling needed to perform under repeated heating and cooling cycles involving:

• high-temperature use around 920°C daily
• occasional use up to 980°C
• water + polymer cooling or oil cooling

This means the tooling needed to balance structural strength, open geometry and practical cooling performance.

FH® Alloy Engineering Solution
Based on the customer’s requirements, FH® Alloy designed a complete multi-layer pit furnace basket fixture system.

The final design solution included:

• complete stacked fixture assembly
• central pole structure
• lifting hook / lifting system
• base tray / lower spoke structure
• upper support tray structure
• circular mesh basket structure
• circular mesh panel / mesh plate
• spacers and related accessories

Instead of supplying a single simple component, FH® Alloy provided a complete integrated tooling solution.

Complete Fixture Assembly Design
One of the final 3D models shows the overall complete tooling concept.

The assembly includes:

• a central support pole,
• multiple circular loading levels,
• surrounding basket structures,
• spacer positions,
• and a lifting system for handling.

This type of configuration is suitable for pit furnace loading where vertical stacked arrangement is required.
The complete assembly was designed to match the customer’s furnace space and loading requirements while maintaining structural stability.

Circular Mesh Panel Design
FH® Alloy also designed the circular mesh panel / grid structure used in the tooling system.

Important customer requirements for this part included:

• circular shape
• central opening
• mesh configuration
• compatibility with the overall stacked fixture system

The mesh panel design helps support workpieces while allowing effective heat transfer and media circulation.

Its open structure is important for:

• thermal flow,
• cooling performance,
• and overall reduction of unnecessary solid mass.

Mesh Basket Design
The circular mesh basket was another key part of the project.

Based on the customer’s input, FH® Alloy designed the basket with:

• approximately 1300 mm diameter
• 200 mm basket height
• 5 mm wire
• 30 × 30 mm square mesh opening
• central bordered hole of 220 mm

The basket structure needed to maintain stability while also allowing the required process access and load arrangement.
The final design was developed not only from dimensions, but also from the customer’s actual existing product references.

Designed Accessories and Supporting Components
This project was not limited to the main frame and basket only.

FH® Alloy also designed the supporting components needed for the complete tooling set, including:

• lifting hook / lifting system
• central pole
• spacers
• mesh panel sections
• basket-related accessory parts

This is an important advantage for customers who need a complete tooling package rather than isolated parts from multiple suppliers.

Design Based on Real Existing Products
The customer provided actual photos of the existing fixture and mesh basket system.

These real product photos were highly useful for understanding:

• the previous structure style,
• the loading arrangement,
• and the practical configuration of the pit furnace tooling.

FH® Alloy used these real references together with the operating requirements to create an improved and clearly defined 3D design solution.
This is especially valuable for customers who do not have formal drawings but do have samples, photos or application data.

From Customer Information to Final 3D Models
FH® Alloy followed a complete technical workflow:

Customer Operating Conditions
↓
Review of Existing Product Photos
↓
Analysis of Structural Requirements
↓
Engineering Design of Full Fixture System
↓
3D Modeling of Main Assembly and Components
↓
Manufacturing
↓
Final Inspection
↓
Delivery
This workflow enabled FH® Alloy to transform incomplete input information into a full production-ready solution.

Manufacturing
After design confirmation, FH® Alloy proceeded with production of the complete tooling system.

Manufacturing was carried out according to the approved engineering design, with attention to:

• structural consistency
• dimensional control
• component compatibility
• accessory matching
• and final assembly readiness

Because this project involved multiple related components, manufacturing control was especially important to ensure that all parts worked together as a complete system.

Final Quality Inspection
Before shipment, FH® Alloy carried out final quality inspection of the completed tooling set.
Inspection covered:

Dimensional Inspection
Verifying the key dimensions of the main fixture components, baskets, mesh panels and accessories.
Structural Inspection
Checking the geometry, rigidity and overall configuration of the complete tooling system.
Assembly Compatibility Check
Ensuring that the designed components, such as trays, baskets, spacers, pole and lifting parts, matched correctly as one system.
Drawing Conformity
Confirming that the finished products were consistent with the final approved 3D models.
After passing inspection, the tooling was prepared for shipment to the customer.

Project Specifications

Project Highlights
Designed Without a Complete Customer Drawing
The customer did not provide a full finalized drawing. FH® Alloy designed the complete tooling system based on technical requirements and reference photos.
Complete System Design
FH® Alloy designed not only the main basket fixture, but also the related components and accessories required for the full tooling solution.
Suitable for Heavy Load Service
The tooling system was designed to work with a combined fixture + goods load of up to 2500–2700 kg.
Adapted to Real Furnace Conditions
The solution was developed according to actual operating conditions, including:

• daily service around 920°C
• occasional use up to 980°C
• water + polymer cooling
• oil cooling

Full Project Execution
FH® Alloy completed the entire process:
Engineering Design → 3D Modeling → Manufacturing → Final Inspection → Shipment

Why This Project Shows FH® Alloy’s Engineering Capability
This project is a strong example of FH® Alloy’s ability to support customers beyond standard build-to-print production.
Many suppliers can only manufacture if the customer provides a complete drawing.

In this case, FH® Alloy supported the customer from the engineering stage, using:

• process conditions,
• dimensional requirements,
• existing product photos,
• and component-level design needs

to create a complete manufacturable solution.

This is especially valuable for customers who need:

• replacement tooling,
• fixture upgrades,
• redesign of existing systems,
• or fully customized furnace tooling based on operating data.

Custom Heat Treatment Fixtures by FH® Alloy
Wuxi Junteng Fanghu Alloy Technology Co., Ltd. (FH® Alloy) designs and manufactures customized heat treatment tooling and heat-resistant alloy products, including:

• Pit Furnace Fixtures
• Heat Treatment Baskets
• Mesh Basket Tooling
• Base Trays
• Furnace Trays
• Vacuum Furnace Fixtures
• Continuous Furnace Tooling
• Radiant Tubes
• Furnace Rollers
• Other Custom Heat-Resistant Alloy Components

We support projects based on:

• full drawings
• partial drawings
• product photos
• dimensional parameters
• or actual operating conditions

Need a Custom Pit Furnace Basket Fixture?
If you need a customized pit furnace basket system, mesh tray, base tray or complete heat treatment fixture set, FH® Alloy can help.

Useful information for design includes:

• furnace type
• working temperature
• cooling medium
• load requirements
• overall fixture dimensions
• basket size
• mesh type
• existing photos or samples
• and lifting / handling requirements

Based on this information, FH® Alloy can provide:
Design → 3D Modeling → Manufacturing → Inspection → Delivery

About FH® Alloy
Wuxi Junteng Fanghu Alloy Technology Co., Ltd. (FH® Alloy) is a manufacturer of customized heat treatment fixtures, furnace baskets, radiant tubes, furnace rollers and other heat-resistant alloy products for industrial furnace applications.
We focus on practical engineering design, reliable manufacturing and custom high-temperature solutions for global industrial customers.

Custom Design | Heat Treatment Fixtures | Complete Furnace Fixture Solutions