Infrared Application of the Month #1:
Thermal Deburring
Contact-free IR heaters melt sharp-edged burrs from cast plastic components in a consistent, repeatable way. Infrared technology from Heraeus Noblelight achieves this without damage to the components, thus effecting a significant reduction in production reject rates. IR technology is especially quick and effective in burr removal from components with complex geometry.
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Infrared Application of the Month #2:
Melting Sound-deadening Bitumen Pads on Dishwasher Casings
A manufacturer of dishwashers sought a more effective method to melt sound-deadening bitumen pads onto the exterior of the dishwashers. Originally the manufacturer used metal tubes of ceramic heaters in a conveorized oven, but when that system was replaced with a fast-response mediumwave system from Heraeus Noblelight, production rates increased 20%, the heating zone was reduced in size by 50%, and the process enjoyed a 30% reduction in overall power consumption.
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Tech Center Spotlight:
Shortwave Heaters
Fast and Intensive
Shortwave IR heaters from Heraeus are suitable for all applications in which the attainment of high temperatures in the shortest possible time is what counts. Their emission maximum is between 0.9 and 1.6 micron.
Performance advantages include high radiation density in the most compact space; near-instant heating-up and cooling down times; optimized reflection; much more.
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Special Designs:
Mediumwave Small Area Heater
For applications requiring precision heating of a specific, small area, Heraeus Noblelight offers the Mediumwave small area heater. Approximate heated area of the example shown here is 2" x 2" and the power output is 400W.
A wide assortment of other special design heaters is available from Heraeus. Click HERE for details.
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Technical Learning: Advantages of IR Technology, Part 1
Since its development some 70 years ago, IR heating has been successfully applied to hundreds of different process heating applications, such as curing metal finishes and protective coatings; fusing thermoset and thermoplastic powder coatings; forming molded plastics; bonding adhesives and metals; drying papers, inks, and fabrics; and processing foods.
A number of features make electric IR heating advantageous; we'll discuss each in turn.
Flexibility of Control and Configuration
One of the primary reasons for the success of electric IR heating is the high degree of control available to users. Electric IR heating equipment can be switched on and off in a matter of seconds. Thus electric IR can be programmed to provide a heat-up and cool-down profile well suited to a given product. In a setting where products are sensitive to overheating, the quick control and low thermal inertia of IR elements can be vital, quickly reducing the heat delivered to a product after an interruption in line movement.
Electric IR ovens can be "zoned" to provide a high heating rate in one zone and a lower heating rate in another. This may be important, for example, when curing a paint or powder. It may also be desirable to apply a high heating rate at first to set the paint or powder, then a lower heating rate to cure the finish without overheating.
IR heaters can deliver a range of heating rates to the product, from the very low rates characteristic of a convection oven to heating rates of 80 kW/ m2, or roughly 20 times greater than possible in a convection oven. Heating rates greater than 80 kW/ m2 are sometimes necessary.
to be continued in the next issue...
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That's it for this month's issue of Application Notes for IR Heating. Feel free to encourage your colleagues to subscribe. Just click HERE to send them an invitation to subscribe. It's quick, easy, FREE, and no-obligation.
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