In a major, high-value project – the second at this particular plant in Mexico – NUTEC Bickley will supply a 125m-long tunnel kiln to one of the world’s leading advanced ceramics manufacturers.
NUTEC Bickley’s Shuttle Kilns are an ideal solution for batch firing in the ceramic industry. Also referred to as batch, periodic or intermittent kilns, they use kiln cars to carry the product in and out of the kiln when the kiln is cool through one or 2 doors.
Once loaded, the Shuttle Kiln is started and it goes up to top temperature and down again following a set cycle automatically. Burners and control zones are located to give uniform firing conditions to all of the product.
At the end of the cycle the doors are opened and the kiln cars are removed. Often another set of kiln cars are loaded ready to put into the kiln and the process is repeated.
NUTEC Bickley designs and fabricates the best Shuttle Kilns in terms of performance and reliability in order to meet your precise needs. Multi-kiln arrangements with automatic car handling systems are also available.
Our more than 50 years of experience designing and engineering kilns to fire a wide range of ceramic products and advanced materials gives us the knowledge to help you find the optimum solution for your needs.
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Shuttle Kilns for Sanitaryware data sheet
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First Fire
Second Fire
Glazing
Biscuit Firing
Glost Firing
Decoration Firing
Third Firing
Oxidation
Calcination
Powder Firing Kilns
Shuttle kilns (also known as intermittent kilns) offer exceptional flexibility for batch processing, making them ideal for any sector of the ceramic industry where precision firing and varied product lines are a consideration. They are easily adapted to high-mix, low-volume runs with quick program changes and remote operation capability.
Shuttle kilns are suitable for a wide range of ceramic products, including:
Ceramic Sanitaryware (both first fire and refire)
Technical Ceramics
Ceramic Cores for Investment Casting
Refractories (e.g. Firebricks)
Continuous Casting Refractories
High-Voltage Insulators
Tableware
Roof Tiles
Important features are precise temperature control and uniform heating.
Shuttle kilns can operate with single- or multi-car configurations. The kiln furniture can be single- or multi-deck, depending on the product to be fired.
These kilns are typically most efficient at operating temperatures up to 1700°C (3090°F).
To facilitate ware moving, sorting and storage, an automatic or semi-automatic transfer car system can be installed.
Shuttle kilns can offer several firings per day.
With decades of global experience, NUTEC Bickley shuttle kiln designs will help you improve efficiency and maintain consistent quality.
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A shuttle kiln is a batch-type firing kiln in which products are loaded onto a movable kiln car, or cars, that enter a sealed chamber for the complete firing cycle. This design allows precise control of temperature, heating and cooling rates, and kiln atmosphere, making it ideal for ceramic, refractory, and advanced material applications where consistency and quality are critical.
Because each load is fired independently, shuttle kilns offer excellent flexibility for manufacturers processing different products or operating with variable production schedules. Modern systems integrate automated controls and high-performance insulation to ensure uniform heat distribution, and stable atmospheres. Kiln car movement automation can improve product handling to reduce manual operations.
At NUTEC Bickley, we design shuttle kilns as custom solutions – adapting temperature capability, atmosphere control, and loading configurations to each customer’s process. With extensive international experience in engineered kiln systems, we help our clients achieve reliable performance and long-term operating efficiency.
At NUTEC Bickley, every shuttle kiln is custom engineered to deliver consistent results, maximum energy efficiency, and the high degree of flexibility your production demands.
With decades of global experience in custom thermal systems, we deliver shuttle kilns that meet your exact process requirements, no compromises. Contact us here!
The main difference between a tunnel kiln and a shuttle kiln lies in their operation method and production efficiency. Tunnel kilns are continuous systems where products move through different temperature zones on a conveyor or kiln car system, ensuring high production capacity, energy efficiency, and consistent firing. These kilns are ideal for large-scale manufacturing of refractories, sanitaryware, and technical ceramics, where continuous operation is required.
Shuttle kilns, on the other hand, operate in batches, with products loaded and fired in individual cycles. This method allows for greater flexibility in firing curves, making shuttle kilns suitable for small production runs, specialty ceramics, and customized heat treatments. While they offer precise control over temperature, they are typically less energy-efficient than tunnel kilns due to their stop-and-go operation.
At Nutec Bickley, we design and manufacture high-performance tunnel and shuttle kilns, providing custom solutions tailored to specific production needs. Our kilns feature advanced combustion systems, optimized insulation, and SCADA-integrated control technology to ensure energy efficiency, process repeatability, and high-quality results for industries like ceramics, aerospace, and metal processing.
The capacity of a shuttle kiln varies depending on its design, size, and intended application. Shuttle kilns are typically used for batch firing, meaning their capacity is determined by the number of kiln cars, the loading height, and the overall chamber volume.
At Nutec Bickley, we design custom shuttle kilns to meet specific production requirements, offering:
The exact capacity depends on the material type, firing cycle, and space utilization, which is why Nutec Bickley provides tailored solutions to ensure optimal performance and energy efficiency in each shuttle kiln design.
We serve multiple industries through the design, building and installation of combustion systems, thermal insulation and highly specialized industrial furnaces, kilns and ovens. We are focused on understanding our customers’ needs and supplying the best equipment at the most competitive price.
In a major, high-value project – the second at this particular plant in Mexico – NUTEC Bickley will supply a 125m-long tunnel kiln to one of the world’s leading advanced ceramics manufacturers.
Explore NUTEC Bickley's latest innovative project, a highly flexible, energy-efficient shuttle kiln for the European sanitaryware sector.
NUTEC Bickley is in the process of transporting all modules of a 50m-long electric tunnel kiln to the advanced manufacturing facility operated by one of North America’s leading producers of ultra-high-purity alumina and associated products.
We offer specialized technical support and advice to ensure that you choose the solution that best suits your needs. Fill out this form or contact us to talk to us now.
Custom Furnaces and Kilns Manufacturer for Complex Thermal Challenges in North America
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