Infrared Application of the Month:
Curing Paint Powder on MDF Parts
A manufacturer of MDF-based wood furniture products required a method for curing the paint on the furniture. The requirements included no COV emissions; improved energy control and temperature regulation; increased efficiency compared to their current (hot air) system; and greater system flexibility. They turned to the experts at Heraeus Noblelight for a modular infrared system. The new system met all of their requirements and resulted in significant increase in line speed.
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Infrared Application of the Month:
Drying of Corrosion Protection Coating
A zinc coating process -- used to provide corrosion protection -- sought a way to improve the drying part of the process. The manufacturer installed mediumwave infrared heaters from Heraeus Noblelight, and the system included power controls for added flexibility. Infrared heat helps reduce the moisture in the coating (for faster drying) and helps that coating dry more evenly.
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Tech Center Spotlight: Fast Mediumwave IR Heaters
Stable and efficient, fast response medium wave heaters can transfer high power over long lengths. The high absorption by surface layers and films makes them particularly applicable to thin materials, while the fact that they also have a penetrative effect fits them for use in plastics processing. The heaters can be switched on and off in seconds and are consequently best suited for processes with short cycle times.
Because infrared heaters can be individually matched to a particular application, heating and drying processes can be seamlessly integrated within finishing operations – and with minimum disruption to existing manufacturing lines.
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Special Designs:
Short Wave Plug-in Heater
Heraeus offers the short wave infrared heater with a plug in connection. This design makes initial assembling as well as maintenance during production very simple. The plug in heater type helps to reduce maintenance costs.
Technical Data
- Short Wave
- Twin tube, 23 x 22 mm
- Gold reflector
- Single end connection
- Up to 10 Amp current
- 55-480 Volts possible
Advantages
- Simple installation
- Quick disconnect
- Fast replacement
- Tool-free replacement
- Reduce downtime
Learn more about special designs from Heraeus Noblelight.
Click HERE to download a brochure on this product.
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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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