Infrared Application of the Month:
Curing Oven for Powder Coated Castings
A die casting facility was experiencing bottlenecks in its production due to inherent inefficiency of their gas-fired curing oven. Working closely with the process heating expert application engineers at Heraeus Noblelight, the company replaced the oven with electric infrared heaters. Not only did the infrared system provide more efficient targeting of the heat, but IR's unique properties gave system operators greater flexibility. A four-zone system means that the heat can be precisely applied where and when it is needed.
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Infrared Application of the Month:
Activating Adhesives on Decorative Trims
The manufacturer of automobile interior door panels was experiencing problems with the trim properly adhering to the body assemblies. The cause was soon discovered: the adhesive started to cure too quickly. Part of the solution was to switch to a different adhesive that required reactivation via heat. But a suitable heat source would be required. Consulting with Heraeus Noblelight, the manufacturer selected a carbon infrared heating system. The contact-free, efficient IR system is perfectly matched to the needs of the process (no wasted heat) and fast response time affords maximum control over the process.
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Tech Center Spotlight: Optical Pyrometers
For temperature measurement and closed loop control this small sized optical non-contact temperature sensor is perfect for most industrial applications. Excellent optical resolution, high ambient operating temperature and accurate control are only a few of the outstanding features of this small footprint device.
Features
- Precise noncontact temperature measurement from -40 to 900°C
- Small infrared sensor with 22:1 optical resolution
- Rugged and usable up to 180°C ambient temperature without cooling
- Separate electronics with easy accessible programming keys and LCD backlit display
- Selectable analog output: 0/4-20mA, 0-5V, 0-10V, thermocouple type K or J
- standard air purge jacket keeps lens clean
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Special Designs:
QRC Nano Metal-free Reflector Design
Many sensitive heating processes run faster, more efficiently and with greater stability using infrared heaters equipped with the QRC Nano reflector. Designed to help target infrared radiation directly where it is needed, the new QRC reflector from Heraeus Noblelight takes technology a step further: unlike conventional reflectors, it is nearly metal free.
Instead, the QRC (quartz reflective coating) Nano reflector consists of high purity synthetic quartz material, with which the quartz glass tube is coated. As a result, the heater lamp is very compact and requires very little working space. The quartz reflector offers excellent heat resistance and is also resistant to acids, alkalis and other aggressive substances. Consequently, heaters with this reflector can be used even in manufacturing processes where the manufacturing plant requires regular cleaning with corrosive cleaning agents.
Technical Data
- Wavelengths: short wave to medium wave
- Maximum power: 80W / cm
- Electrical connections: one side or two side
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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