Whip Mix Blog

PRO 200 Series Porcelain Furnaces: a Step Forward in Ceramic Processing

Written by Craig Pickett, CDT, RG, TE | March 14, 2019

Porcelain furnaces have long been a stalwart part of the fixed restorative laboratory, and although you may not be doing much PFM (PBM) restorative work at this point, the furnace is still part of your armamentarium.

Whether you are in a clinical setting doing crystallization, glazing and contact additions or in the lab doing full-fledged stain and glaze, pressing or building and firing ceramics, you need a furnace.

The Pro Series furnace family’s long history, beginning with the PRO 40, 90 and 100’s, have proven the machines’ solid capabilities. Manufactured and serviced here in the United States with three-year warranty’s, they rank as one of the best and most dependable furnaces on the market. Perhaps you have not placed them with that group because they do not seem new and flashy, but there is a lot to be said for consistency and longevity. How many of you still use the Whip Mix Combination Vacuum Mixer?

If you are still using a PRO 100 furnace in your operation, you need to be aware that that there are few if any parts remaining for this unit since its end of manufacture more than ten years ago. In addition, this furnace is sporting 20-year-old computer technology, including battery backup. If you have not changed the battery in a while please, contact us in Technical Support before there is a board-related issue. Perhaps it is time to institute or plan for an upgraded furnace. You already use this family of furnaces so it should be your first consideration.

The PRO 200 series features updated Solid State electronics and two stage firing capability, which enables you to speed crystalize milled lithium disilicate. This is the perfect pairing for the clinical lab and the general ceramic functions of the dental laboratory. There are also PRO PRESS 200 and PRO PRESS SP versions, which act as a pressable ceramic furnace and as a regular ceramic furnace.

If you are an old school technician, and like to control each step of the pressing process, then the PRO PRESS 200 is best for you. If you would like the Sense Press technology to monitor the press movement, then choose the SP. Programming is simple, intuitive, and Technical and Furnace support technicians are just a phone call or e-mail away. These include Certified Dental Technician Ceramists and Electrical Engineers, so do not hesitate to reach out.

Video instruction is also available in our Resource Library