Heating Plastics With IR
Infrared heat is in use in a wide array of plastics applications. Stretching, forming, preheating, embossing, thermoforming,
gelling...the possibilities are nearly endless. And these aren't theoretical applications. Infrared technology from Heraeus
Noblelight is currently helping plastics manufacturers around the world run the most efficient processes. Here are just a few
examples of plastic heating with infrared:
- A medical products manufacturer has a process of shaping catheter tubes. A carbon infrared system from Heraeus Noblelight
afforded precise control to the process. Each zone is independently controlled via PID during heating and cooling. Different
profiles to suit different plates are programmed into the PLC.
- The manufacturer of polypropylene (PP) pieces wanted a way to join pieces that would be quick and result in high connection
quality. Their previous system of attaching connection pieces (joints) had a long cycle time and did not employ preheating.
Heraeus Noblelight provided a system using custom heaters. In the new system, the pipe retrieved from an automatic supply tray,
and then positioned by robotic device. Heat-up time and cycle time were reduced significantly.
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- A producer of CD and DVD discs replaced its hot air oven with carbon heaters from Heraeus Noblelight. The system is used to
shrinkwrap stacks of discs. The new system reduces shrink time from one minute to ten seconds.
- A manufacturer of wallpaper sought a method to preheat PVC wallpaper prior to embossing. Their previous method -- longwave
platen heaters -- required a great deal of plant space, and had a slow heatup cycle. An infrared module (including a control
panel) from Heraeus Noblelight allowed the PVC to be softened within a limited space, and the system's instant on/off control
eliminated fire risk.
- A vehicle manufacturer uses various diameters of Polyamide pipe for the vehicles' pneumatic systems. The pipes arrive at the factory in large coils, awaiting process. Prior to use, the pipes must be uncoiled and "relaxed" then cut to length. Previously the relaxing had been done by means of a bank of ceramic heaters, with long heat-up and cool-down times. Line speed was limited. Heraeus Noblelight provided the manufacturer with a carbon infrared system that more than doubled line speed. Lower power consumption and quick heat-up/cool-down are among the other benefits now enjoyed.
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These examples are by no means a complete list. Infrared heat is an effective and efficient means of applying process heat in many other applications.
Explore this site for application
solutions employing infrared technology. Heraeus offers complete systems using infrared technology; we can design a system to meet your specific, unique and
demanding needs.
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