FAQS

The heating method known as induction heating occurs when an electrically conductive material is placed in a varying magnetic field. Induction heating is a rapid form of heating in which a current is induced directly into the part being heated. Induction heating is a non-contact form of heating.

A typical induction heating system consists of the induction heating power supply, an induction heating coil, and a water-cooling source, which cools the coil and several internal components inside the power supply. The induction heating power supply sends alternating current through the induction coil, thus generating a magnetic field. When a work piece is placed within the coil and enters the magnetic field, eddy currents are induced within the workpiece, generating precise and localized heat without any physical contact between the induction coil and the work piece

The varying magnetic field required for induction heating is developed in the induction heating coil via the flow of AC (alternating current) in the coil. The coil can be made in many shapes and sizes to custom fit a specific application. The coils can range from tiny coils made of copper tubing used for precise heating of extremely small parts in applications such as soldering and ferrule heating to large coil assemblies of copper tubing used in applications such as strip metal heating and pipe heating.

Induction heating can benefit your process in a number of ways. Induction heating is highly repetitive once initial adjustments are made to the power supply. Following this phase, part after part can be heated with identical results so long as the parts are introduced to the coil similarly each cycle. This can also lead to better material utilization and product yield. Induction heating can reduce or eliminate the need for skilled operators in application such as brazing and soldering. The ability of induction heating to heat all parts identically lends itself to automation of the process. Induction heating can also heat the part in a highly localized fashion, which can be extremely beneficial when it is desirable or necessary to limit the heat to only a certain region of the part.

Fast Cycle Times – With induction heating technology, heat is produced instantly and directly within the part being heated. Thus heat can be supplied as quickly as a material will permit it, eliminating typical soak times associated with radiation or convection heat technologies.
Accurate Heat Zones – Through the development of an induction coil combined with the specification of the proper power and frequency, the can isolate or pinpoint a heat-zone, small or large without affecting surrounding areas. The result is minimal distortion in part being heated, yielding higher quality production. Additional infrared temperature control devices can also be added for further control of a process.
Consistent and Repeatable – Due to the development of Solid-State power supplies, the heating pattern produced by a given induction coil will be consistent from day to day, month to month. Since the induction coil is not in any contact with the part being heated and the part is being presented to the coil in a consistent fashion, the process will remain repeatable, unlike traditional flame heating or resistance heating, which have constantly changing characteristics.
Space Requirements and Efficiency – Due to the smaller space requirements for induction heating over many traditional heating methods, this technology lends itself to bench-top/work cell environments and in-line semi or fully automated processes. In addition Induction Heating technology is energy efficient, power consumption to create the output power is minimal and in idle or stand-by conditions power consumption is greatly reduced since the power is only on when the system is being utilized for the intended process.
Environmentally Friendly – Induction heating is an extremely clean heat. It does not produce harmful emissions or loud noise. It does not heat the environment or area outside the work coil, since the heat is only generated in the work piece being heated. Thus induction heating assists in creating more favorable working conditions.

In addition to some of the points mentioned in the previous FAQ, induction heating is also a clean form of heating which does not emit unpleasant odor or heat. Because the current is induced directly into the part being heated, there is no radiant heating effect into a facilities ambient environment. The location of the desired heat zone can be defined to a specific area on a workpiece in order to achieve accurate and consistent results. Induction heating equipment is instantly on which means it requires no warm-up time as other conventional heating sources do. Induction heating systems are extremely energy efficient.

Sure, in fact induction heating is preferable for diamonds bits because it works so quickly. The longer the diamond remains at heating temperature, the faster it degrades. We recommend atmospheric brazing in a vacuum atmosphere for the best results.

If you work with glass or ceramics, a compact vacuum furnace is a great solution for brazing. You’ll get quick, clean heat with very precise temperature control.