Page 2 - Infrared for plastics EN

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Commodities or objets d'art, high-tech equipment or toys, packaging materials or construction materials – we come across plastics today in all shapes and forms used in seemingly countless applications. In space exploration and in the house, in clothing and for food packaging, in medi- cine and for protecting the environment – plastics are not only used as a substitute for other materials but often provide the solutions to previously unsolvable prob- lems. Heat plays a central role in forming and processing plastics, especially thermo- plastics. Heat is used for softening and forming operations such as bending, stretching, blowing, deep drawing and stamping or for packaging materials with sterilised wrapping, shrink wrapping, heat sealing, laminating. Heating can also be used to temper, harden, glue and dry plastics. Heating processes are even used to separate plastic waste. The use of infrared radiation opens up many options for the direct transfer of heat into the manufacturing process.
Heating for Plastics
Infrared heat meets all requirements
n Heat transfer is simple – it requires no contact with the material and no intermediate medium such as air or water.
n Infrared transmits high power – foils, plates and even irregular shapes are heated in seconds.
n The heating process fits in easily with the manufacturing process – by appropriate choice of emitter or emitter cassette,
the heating can be matched to the speed of the process.
n Infrared heat can be targeted exactly
where it is required. Large surfaces can be heated in exactly the same way as small
parts, curved surfaces or solid plastic materials.
n Infrared radiation is safe and can be easily switched on and off.
n The process is economical – the correct emitter selection allows high efficient heating. Moreover, the heat loss is small, since the radiation
is directed at the process material.
Ink drying