The area to be repaired had to be preheated to 200F (93C) before welding could be completed.
Compound Damage
The turbine housing was typically damaged in one or more areas (usually cracks).
Wasted Resources
Existing heating method required that the complete turbine housing be reheated in a convection oven before each weld, wasting energy and operator time.
Solution
Heat
A Model 4185 Infrared Strip Heater mounted on an articulating arm was used to apply heat to the turbine housings after they were preheated once in the convection oven.
Power Control
A Model 665F Phase Angle SCR Power Controller controlled the power to the Infrared Strip Heater using a thermocouple feedback to a single-loop process controller.
Benefits
Temperatures Maintained
By using the Model 4185 Infrared Strip Heater to apply heat to the turbine housing after preheating, the rebuilder was able to maintain temperatures on the housing following a single preheat in the existing convection oven.
Recovered Resources
By maintaining the temperatures on the housing following a single preheat in the existing convection oven, the rebuilder lowered energy consumption and increased operator productivity.
