UltraFlex induction heating carbon steel pipe for epoxy curing
The efficient replacement of flame/gas furnace adhesive curing with induction-based curing has recently been demonstrated by UltraFlex Power Technologies.
The efficient replacement of flame/gas furnace adhesive curing with induction-based curing has recently been demonstrated by UltraFlex Power Technologies. The company - a leading manufacturer of advanced digitally-controlled induction heating solutions - has performed the demonstration for a customer looking to increase productivity and perform the curing process on-site.
The test set up involved heating carbon steel pipes with OD between 100mm to 180 mm (3.9 - 7 inch) and wall thickness 10-20mm (0.39-0.78 inch). Carbon composite part had been placed on the external wall of the pipe. The goal was to affix the part to the pipe using adhesive epoxy.
The customer required that the induction system used for this heating scenario would be mobile and lightweight so the composite parts placement could be done onsite and a target production rate of 60 pieces per day / 5 pieces per hour could be achieved.
UltraFlex engineers estimated that an UltraFlex induction heater from the UltraHeat S/Air series would be most appropriate for this heating. UltraHeat S/Air is a portable, air-cooled induction heating unit that is perfect for applications with low temperature required (less than 500°F/ 260°C). The unit has a programmable temperature profile featuring multiple steps of the ramp and hold times. Once the process is pre-programmed, the operator can start a heating cycle by just pressing a button and the induction system will automatically perform a full heating/holding cycle.
In this case, the system had been programmed with 2 steps: ramping from room temperature to 200 °C (392°F) as fast as possible being step 1, and holding the temperature for 15 min until the epoxy is completely cured as step 2.
The heating process had been performed by placing the workpiece inside the induction heating coil and starting the program. A heating blanket was used in the process, to prevent damage to the dry cable coil.
The evaluation of this induction heating proved the excellent results achieved. All process requirements had been met and along with cutting down the time taken, the customer would also benefit from significant cost savings. The heating would be completely safe for the operator, with no specific environment needed or operator equipment required to perform it.
Find out more at:
https://ultraflexpower.com/
Contact us at:
+1.631.467.6814
uptnews@ultraflexpower.com
About UltraFlex Power Technologies:
UltraFlex Power Technologies (ultraflexpower.com) offers the most advanced and innovative digitally controlled induction heating equipment in the industry. Its compact modular and flexible systems are suitable for a wide variety of induction heating, casting and melting applications.
Featured Product
3D Vision: Ensenso B now also available as a mono version!
This compact 3D camera series combines a very short working distance, a large field of view and a high depth of field - perfect for bin picking applications. With its ability to capture multiple objects over a large area, it can help robots empty containers more efficiently. Now available from IDS Imaging Development Systems. In the color version of the Ensenso B, the stereo system is equipped with two RGB image sensors. This saves additional sensors and reduces installation space and hardware costs. Now, you can also choose your model to be equipped with two 5 MP mono sensors, achieving impressively high spatial precision. With enhanced sharpness and accuracy, you can tackle applications where absolute precision is essential. The great strength of the Ensenso B lies in the very precise detection of objects at close range. It offers a wide field of view and an impressively high depth of field. This means that the area in which an object is in focus is unusually large. At a distance of 30 centimetres between the camera and the object, the Z-accuracy is approx. 0.1 millimetres. The maximum working distance is 2 meters. This 3D camera series complies with protection class IP65/67 and is ideal for use in industrial environments.
