ApplicationsHeat and Bend Plexiglass Parts
Application:
An office products manufacturer heating Plexiglas (Luxan) prior to bending it into shape.
Problem:
- Poor Quality - The existing forced air convection heat source resulted in stress marks in the bent Plexiglas.
- Excessive Scrap - The manufacturer had to scrap eight percent of all parts due to excessive stress marks in the bends.
- Employee Discomfort - The forced air convection heat source had to be left on continuously, making employees uncomfortable.
Solution:
- Heat - A Model 4185-38 Infrared Strip Heater was used to apply heat to the Plexiglas prior to bending.
- System Configuration - The Infrared Strip Heater was installed over a table that contained a bending form. After one bend area was heated and the bend made, the table was turned to repeat the process on a second bend.
- Instant On/Off - The Infrared Strip Heater heated up and cooled down instantly.
Benefits:
- Improved Quality - The Infrared Strip Heater eliminated the stress marks at the bend in the Plexiglas.
- Reduced Scrap - With the Infrared Strip Heater, the manufacturer was able to reduce the scrap rate by 94 percent to less than .5 percent.
- Improved Employee Comfort - The instant on/off capability of the Infrared Strip Heater made it possible to operate the heater only when heat was required prior to bending the Plexiglas, significantly improving employee comfort.
- Reduced Energy Consumption - The manufacturer realized a 32 percent savings in energy consumption over a 16 hour shift by using the Infrared Strip Heaters as the heat source.
- Space Savings - The Infrared Strip Heater took up less work space than the heat source it replaced.