Induction heating
Induction heating is a process used to heat a metal without directly applying heat to it. Induction heating causes heating within the metal using Radio Frequency Energy so as to prevent warpage, and distortion. It is a more precise method of heating, and takes a fraction of the time that a furnace does. It's energy conserving, eco-friendly, and doesn't need to heat up, or cool down. Induction heating is a growing industry since it's so easy to use, and can be taken almost anywhere! Induction heating even uses a small device, so you can take it anywhere you need to.
The process of Induction Heating
Induction heating is a process used to soften, harden, or bond metals. It is used because of its combination of speed, consistency, and control. Instead of using a flame directly on the metal, induction heating uses electrical currents to "induce" heat within the metal. Induction heating is dependent on Radio Frequency Energy, the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum below infrared and microwave energy. Since the heat is transferred through radio frequency energy, not a direct flame, the inductor itself does not get hot, and there is no product contamination. [1]
In a basic induction heating set up, a power supply sends an AC current through an inductor, and the part to be heated is placed inside the inductor. The inductor serves as the transformer primary and the part to be heated becomes a short circuit secondary. When a metal is placed within the inductor and enters the magnetic field, circulating currents are induced within the part. The currents flow against the electrical resistivity of the metal, generating precise and localized heat without any direct contact between the part and the inductor. This heating occurs with both magnetic and non-magnetic parts and is often referred to as the "Joule Effect", referring to Joule's first law--a scientific formula expressing the relationship between heat produced and electrical current flowing through a conductor. [2] Induction heating works directly only with conductive materials, normally metals. Other non-conductive materials can be indirectly heated
by first heating a conductive metal susceptor which transfers heat to a non-conductive material. Magnetic materials heat easily, which produce heat additionally with the hysteresis effect. (Internal friction that is created when magnetic parts pass through the inductor) The thinner the material is, the less time it will take to heat. Inversely, a thick material will take more time to heat. [3]
Why use Inductive Heating?
Production rates can be maximized due to its speed, the heat is developed directly and instantly inside the metal. It can be used anywhere, instead of having to bring the materials to a large heating machine. It is energy efficient, 90% of the expended energy is turned into heat while the competing furnaces use around 45%, and induction heating doesn't need to cool down or heat up, so heat losses are reduced greatly.
There is no variation, once the machine is calibrated, it will remain that way, unlike furnaces. The heat applied to the material never actually touches it, reducing warpage, and distortion. Induction heating is also completely clean, and uses a non-polluting process that reduces environmental waste. When heating a material, people can precisely target the part that they want to heat, instead of heating the whole thing, and having to cool down the parts they didn't want to get heated. [4]
Video
An interview with a EFD Induction Sales Manager talking about their new Induction Heating equipment.
References
- ↑ No specific author listed. What is Induction Heating? Group Induction Atmospheres. December 11, 2015. (Accessed January 13, 2016.)
- ↑ No specific author listed. What is it? GH Group. 2011 (Accessed December 15, 2015.)
- ↑ No specific author listed. What is Induction Heating? Group Induction Atmospheres. December 11, 2015. (Accessed January 13, 2016.)
- ↑ No specific author listed. What is it? GH Group. 2011 (Accessed January 13, 2016.)
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