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Infrared heaters work by emitting infrared radiation, which warms objects in its path rather than heating the air in the room. These heaters come in three classes, with each type applying a different wavelength to the infrared radiation. Those with longer wavelengths tend to penetrate the skin more.
Every model of infrared heater has its own unique features and functions that facilitate effective heating. Below are some of the basic features and functions of infrared heaters that clients should be aware of.
Applications of industrial infrared heaters are broad and varied. Industries use this heating solution to boost productivity and save energy costs. Here are some common scenarios where infrared heaters are used in industrial applications:
Heat Applications
Infrared heaters have many uses in industrial establishments that need heat for various applications. These heaters provide direct heat to objects, taking less time to reach the desired temperature. Common heat applications that infrared heaters serve include bending, curing, drying, forging, heating molds, preheating parts, and thawing frozen pipes.
Curing Paints and Coatings
Curing is an important chemical reaction that occurs after applying paint or coating. The infrared heater supplies the needed energy to speed up the curing process in a short time and at lower temperatures. Using infrared technology to cure at lower temperatures saves energy and reduces overall production costs.
Paint Drying
After curing, paints and coatings need to dry before further handling. Infrared heat can rapidly evaporate the solvent from the paint for quick drying. Fast drying reduces the time needed for applying the next layer of paint, reducing overall production time.
Automotive Applications
The automotive industry uses infrared heating to dry paint quickly, cure adhesives, and bond plastics during car assembly. Infrared heaters are essential for applications that need fast heating and temperature control. Car repair shops use spot heating to work on specific parts with an infrared heater.
Construction Applications
In construction, infrared heaters help cure concrete and dry building interiors. Proper concrete curing leads to stronger structures, while concrete pouring and infrared heating speed up the whole construction process. During cold weather, infrared heaters prevent water freezing and accelerate several building projects.
Electronic Component Assembly
Heat is used to bond electronic components together. Infrared radiation is highly effective at bonding these small components quickly and is now a preferred choice in many electronic assembly lines. These heaters also help remove moisture from electronic parts before bonding.
Plastic Manufacturing
Industrial infrared heaters are used to preheat and soften plastic before molding. They also help cool and solidify the plastic after molding. Providing heat during these two stages enhances the structural quality of the molded plastic.
Heat Area:
Infrared heaters directly warm up surfaces through emitted waves. Thus, finding an appropriate infrared heater for a specific application is necessary by calculating the heat area. When choosing an industrial heater, the heat area that should be warmed up needs to be determined first.
Mounting Position:
In a facility, infrared heaters can be situated in various positions, including overhead and off to the side of the area being warmed up. Depending on the mounting position, different heater designs are better suited for each option.
Heaters with vertical lamps are best if mounted directly above the work area. But, when installed on sidewalls or columns, heaters with reflectors are most effective since they direct infrared heat across the area.
Intensity Control:
For applications needing exact temperature requirements, infrared heater lamp intensity control is crucial. Although some choices have several lamp intensity settings, others have integrated controls that let users change the temperature.
Startup Time:
An industrial infrared heater needs to reach its working temperature as quickly as possible to shorten the time it takes to process the heat. Selecting a heater with a short startup time is critical if the application requires quick temperature rise.
The startup time of infrared heaters varies depending on the lamp. Models with short wave lamps have a startup time of around 30 seconds, while those with medium wave lamps take 1 to 2 minutes and long wave lamps 2 to 4 minutes.
Beam Angle:
The beam angle represents infrared heater lamp heat concentration. A narrow beam angle heats a small area; thus, heaters with a narrow beam angle need to be mounted closer to the work surface. In contrast, a wide beam angle distributes heat over a large area and allows the heater to be installed far from the surface.
Energy Efficiency:
For businesses looking to lower energy use and save money on industrial heating costs, choosing energy-efficient infrared heater lamps is essential. When determining heater energy efficiency, the ratio of the heat produced to the amount of energy spent is taken into account.
Q1: Are infrared heaters a fire hazard?
A1: While infrared heaters can pose fire risks, they can be wisely used in industrial settings. Precautions such as maintaining safe clearances, using proper wiring and grounding, providing adequate ventilation, and following manufacturer guidelines can minimize fire hazards. Regular inspections and maintenance also help ensure safe operation. Additionally, keeping combustible materials away from heaters and not leaving heaters unattended further reduce the risk of fire. Implementing these precautions can help allow for infrared heaters in industrial settings while mitigating potential fire risks.
Q2: Why do industrial applications prefer infrared heat?
A2: Infrared heating is usually preferred in industrial settings because it provides an efficient and rapid heating solution. This heating system is more effective and faster than conventional heating because, with the help of longer-wave infrared heaters, heat can be generated in a shorter time period and can help penetrate the product, thus eliminating moisture and achieving the highlighted temperature.
Q3: How is the infrared heater maintained?
A3: Basic industrial heater maintenance will involve the following: cleaning the heater's exterior to remove dust and other accumulated debris; inspecting the power supply and cord for any signs of damage or wear; checking the heater for any unusual sounds or vibrations while in operation; and ensuring the heater's supports and mounting brackets are secure and intact.