ANNEALING OVEN PRODUCES SAFER ALUMINUM BASEBALL BATS

This Aluminum Tube Annealing Oven can process aluminum tubes up to 20 ft long used in manufacturing collegiate and high school baseball bats with newer thin-walled designs that limit the trampoline effect and keep them closer to performing like traditional wooden bats.

The Lanly Company (Cleveland, OH) recently designed, built and commissioned an Aluminum Tube Annealing Oven that can process aluminum tubes up to 20 ft long for a leading metals processing company in Columbiana, OH.

A balanced, motorized vertical lift door with a clamping mechanism for positive sealing is featured. Loading and unloading of the tubes is accomplished with a powered rail car bottom that also doubles as the floor of the oven. High volume cross flow airflow design ensures even heat distribution throughout the oven and temperature regulation of ±5 deg F at stabilized conditions. The oven has a maximum air temperature of 800 deg F and includes a temperature profile controller with 9-point thermocouple feedback.

The primary end use of the oven is for annealed aluminum used in the manufacture of collegiate and high school baseball bats. Demand for baseball bats is expected to increase due to recent rule changes made by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS). The changes are being imposed to limit the trampoline effect of the newer thin-walled bat designs to keep them closer to the performance of traditional wooden bats.

Player safety has been the driving force behind these new regulations. The change will require that all non-wood bats meet the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) Performance Standard. Formerly, non-wood bats had to meet the Ball Exit Speed Ratio (BESR) standard. The new standards are in effect in 2011 for the NCAA and will take effect in 2012 for the NFHS.

www.lanly.com