Heating Solids
Heating a solid can be accomplished using any of several heater types and/or a combination of types. Some heater types physically lend themselves more readily to an application than others, depending on the object's shape, size and mass, as well as performance requirements. The application descriptions below will give you a general idea on how a particular heater type is applied to heating a solid and some common examples.
Band Heaters
Clamp to an exterior or interior cylindrical surface.
Applications
- Injection molding barrels and nozzles
- Blown film dies
Cable Heaters
Square or round cross sections in different lengths bent and formed to heat flat or curved surfaces, or wound around an object. Cable heaters can also be cast into aluminum and brass parts to create a "heated part."
Applications
- Platen heating
- Plastic injection molding nozzles
- Cast-in heaters
Cartridge Heaters
Inserted into a close fit hole drilled into the object being heated.
Applications
- Platens
- Dies
- Molds
Cast-in Heaters
An aluminum or brass casting that incorporates a tubular or cable heating element to form a heated part. Reduces parts count and delivers extremely even heating.
Applications
- Custom machinery components
- Food service equipment
- Semiconductor manufacturing
Ceramic Fiber Heaters
Stock heater panels assemble into a chamber to surround and heat an object. Made-to-Order heaters can be three dimensionally shaped to fit a specific application. With radiant and convection heat transfer, ceramic fiber heaters are most often used for ovens and furnaces.
- Non-ferrous metal melting
- Glass, ceramic and wire processing
Flexible Heaters
Bonded or vulcanized to the part, flexible heaters form to irregular surfaces and shapes. Distributed wattage capability and low profile extend flexible heater application versatility.
Applications
- Food service equipment
- Battery heating
- Plastic laminate curing
Multicell Heaters
Loosely inserted into platen holes for radiant heat transfer. Zoned heating capability permits thermal gradients. Can also be used for radiant heating. Well suited for extreme high temperature applications.
Applications
- Glass bending and tempering
- Super plastic forming and diffusion bonding of titanium and other exotic alloys
- High temperature platen heating
Radiant Heaters
Used in any static or moving application where conduction or convection heating isn't practical. Note: quartz tubes supply quick heat up and cool down.
Applications
- Laminating
- Thermoforming
- Paint drying
Strip Heaters
Bolted or clamped to a flat surface. Often used for freeze and moisture protection.
Applications
- Food warming equipment
- Die and mold heating
- Packaging equipment
Tubular Heaters
Clamped to the object being heated, or fitted in grooves milled into a platen.
Applications
- Platens
- Dies
- Molds