Orton Ceramic Foundation

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[edit] History

The roots of the Orton Ceramic Foundation date back to the establishment of the "Standard Pyrometric Cone Company" in 1896 by Dr. Edward J. Orton, Jr.. Dr. Orton was a pioneer in developing and applying scientific principles to ceramic manufacturing. In 1894, he was appointed the first Chairman of the Ceramic Engineering Department at The Ohio State University, the first ceramic engineering school in the United States. The "Standard Pyrometric Cone Company" began the production of modern pyrometric cones that continues today. Only Orton cones are traceable to Standards[citation needed] established in 1956 by H.P. Beerman at the National Bureau of Standards (Journal of American Ceramic Society, Vol. 39 1956), however other manufacturers may manufacture to other, equally rigorous standards

At his death in 1932, Dr. Orton provided in his Will for creation of a charitable trust to continue the operation of the "Standard Pyrometric Cone Company" for the benefit of the ceramic arts and industry communities. The primary purpose of the Foundation is to provide products to assist and enhance high temperature processing of ceramics and other materials. The secondary purpose of the Orton Ceramic Foundation is to utilize the net proceeds from the primary purpose to support investigations and studies that will aid in the heat processing of materials for its customers.

[edit] Focus

The Foundation has three distinct areas of products and services:

  • Produce Pyrometric devices for monitoring thermal processing.
  • Design and build Analytical Instruments for measuring thermal properties.
  • Provide Material Testing Services to measure thermal properties.

Orton provides its products to more than 70 countries worldwide[citation needed]. The Foundation currently occupies a 33,000-square-foot (3,100 m²) facility in Westerville, Ohio, a northeastern suburb of Columbus, Ohio, approximately 20 minutes from the Port Columbus International Airport.