Block Diagram

Design
 The basic design of a microwave oven is simple, and most operate
in essentially the same manner. The oven's various electronic motors, relays,
and control circuits are located on the exterior casing, to which the oven cavity
is bolted. A front panel allows the user to program the microwave, and the door
frame has a small window to enable the cook to view the food while it is
cooking.
Near the top of the steel oven cavity is a magnetron—an electronic tube
that produces high-frequency microwave oscillations—which generates the
microwaves. The microwaves are funneled through a metal waveguide and into
a stirrer fan, also positioned near the top of the cavity. The fan distributes the
microwaves evenly within the oven. Manufacturers vary the means by which
they disburse microwaves to achieve uniform cooking patterns: some use dual
stirrer fans located on opposite walls to direct microwaves to the cavity, while
others use entry ports at the bottom of the cavity, allowing microwaves to enter
from both the top and bottom. In addition, many ovens rotate food on a
turntable.

Raw Materials
The cover or outer case of the microwave oven is usually a
one-piece, wrap-around metal enclosure. The oven's inside panels and doors
are made of galvanized and are given a coating of acrylic enamel, usually light
in color to offer good visibility. The cooking surface is generally made of
ceramic or glass. Inside the oven, electromechanical components and controls
consist of timer motors, switches, and relays. Also inside the oven are the
magnetron tube, the waveguide, and the stirrer fan, all made of metal. The
hardware that links the various components consists of a variety of metal and
plastic parts such as gears, pulleys, belts, nuts, screws, washers, and cables.

The magnetron tube

The magnetron tube assembly consists of a cathode cylinder, a
filament heater, a metal anode, and an antenna. The filament is attached to
the cathode, and the cathode is enclosed in the anode cylinder; this cell will
provide the electricity that will help to generate the microwaves. Metal
cooling fins are welded to the anode cylinder, and a powerful magnet is
placed around the anode to provide the magnetic field in which the
microwaves will be generated. A metal strap holds the complete assembly
together. A thermal protector is mounted directly on the magnetron to
prevent damage to the tube from overheating

An antenna enclosed in a glass tube is mounted on top of the anode,

and the air within the tube is pumped out to create a vacuum. The
waveguide is connected to the magnetron on top of the protruding antenna,
while a blower motor used to cool the metal fins of the magnetron is
attached directly to the tube. Finally, a plastic fan is attached to the motor,
where it will draw air from outside the oven and direct it towards the vanes.
This completes the magnetron subassembly.
Main chassis assembly

The chassis assembly work is performed on a pallet—a work-holding

device used in conjunction with other tools—located at the station. First, the
main chassis is placed on the pallet, and the cavity is screwed on to the chassis.
Next, the door is attached to the cavity and chassis by means of hinges. The
magnetron tube is then bolted to the side of the cavity and the main
chassis.The circuit that produces the voltage required to operate the
magnetron tube consists of a large transformer, an oil-based capacitor, and a
high voltage rectifier. All of these components are mounted directly on the
chassis, close to the magnetron tube.

Stirrer fan
The stirrer fan used to circulate the microwaves is mounted on top of
the cavity. Some manufacturers use a pulley to drive the fan from the
magnetron blower motor; others use a separate stirrer motor attached directly
to the fan. Once the stirrer fan is attached, a stirrer shield is screwed on top of
the fan assembly. The shield prevents dirt and grease from entering the
waveguide, where they could produce arcing and damage the magnetron.

Control switches, relays, and motors

The cook switch provides power to the transformer by energizing a
relay and a timer. The relay is mounted close to the power transformer,
while the timer is mounted on the control board. The defrost switch works
like the cook switch, activating a motor and timer to operate the defrost cycle.
Also mounted on the control board are a timer bell that rings when the
cooking cycle is complete and a light switch that allows viewing of the cavity.
A number of interlocking switches are mounted near the top and bottom of
the door area. The interlocking switches are sometimes grouped together
with a safety switch that monitors the other switches and provides protection
if the door accidently opens during oven operation