Posts Tagged 'industrial infrared heaters'

Infrared heating innovation to be unveiled as future of efficient industrial heating solutions by Infrared Heaters Experts Ceramicx and Freek at K 2010

September 8, 2010 by Ceramicx
Heating solutions for plastic thermoformers will be central to the Ceramicx exhibition at K 2010

Heating solutions for plastic thermoformers will be central to the Ceramicx exhibition at K 2010

Leading  international heating systems specialist and manufacturer Ceramicx has  finalised its exhibition details with German heating experts Freek for their joint exhibition stand in Hall 11, A-01 at the  prestigious K 2010 triennial plastics industry exhibition. K 2010 runs at the  Dusseldorf Messe, Germany, from Wednesday October 27th to Wednesday November  3rd.

Ceramicx founder Frank Wilson says that ‘we realise full well  that much of the plastics sector has been waiting until K 2010 in order to  review the latest that plastics technology can offer. We hope to raise more  than a stir in the worldwide plastics thermoforming industries where our  infrared heating solutions and machine retrofits in that regard are putting  back the profit for thermoforming processors.’

At K 2010 Ceramicx will  accordingly provide an extensive range of infrared heaters:  And thanks to  pioneering work just completed at the company’s main plant, all of these now  come supplied with complete traceability and operating information that  exceeds anything else available on the market. ‘Every single one of our  heaters is now traceable and its performance available for analysis on an  individual basis – online, anytime,’ says Wilson. Ceramicx will be  demonstrating the power of this traceability and the heating performance data  live on screen at the show.  All of the company’s products and services  will feature in a newly commissioned HD digital film that will be viewable at  the show.

Says Wilson, ‘the international character of the K 2010 show  always suits us very well. Our visitors are always very pleased to find out  that we provide a service and delivery time to anywhere in the world that  always exceeds expectations’  Ceramicx is also fast becoming a world  leader in providing infrared applications engineering know-how for the largest  blue-chip manufacturers in the world down to the smallest ‘heat work’  applications.

K 2010 will see the plastics industry able to  purchase a range of ceramic heaters, quartz heaters and, quartz halogen/quartz tungsten  heaters from the Ceramicx/Freek stand.

The Ceramicx/Freek stand will  also provide visitors with a live materials testing system that will  demonstrate the heating effect on different kinds of plastics using different  heaters. ‘Ceramicx and Freek challenge anyone with a moulding or thermoforming heat processing issue to come to us – have the material sample worked with -  and get the best heatwork advice available.’ says Wilson. ‘Many many plastics  processors, for example, have still yet to appreciate the difference that  different infrared sources can make to their operations – and many new  materials producers – particularly in the new biopolymer area are still  searching for optimum processability

Ceramicx’s exhibiting partner  Freek will have most heating bases covered when it comes to issues of  injection moulding heating, hot runners and other systems. Freek’s extensive  product range at K 2010 will include Nozzle Heaters (HotMicroCoils); Cartridge  heaters; Tubular heaters; IR elements; flat heating elements (panel heaters)  in mica, silicon (incl. drum heaters), polyester and kapton and thermosensors  and temparature controlers. Freek also plans to bring its notebook based TIM  IR camera system in order to help show off the benefits of heating  generally.

Nozzle heating innovation from Friedr Freek at the K 2010 exhibition

Nozzle heating innovation from Friedr Freek at the K 2010 exhibition

Chief among the Freek new products at K 2010 is the  company’s revolutionary patent pending nozzle heater design (please see attached picture) .
Freek director Stefan Kaiser explains that ‘our recent patent application here has been necessary in  order to emphasise our product difference and superiority to various kinds of  rogue copies already on the market. The simplicity and effectiveness of our  design will appeal to all of those mould makers or hotrunner manufacturer  visiting the K 2010 show. The newest addition to the Freek nozzle heater family is a classic illustration of our development philosophy -  “simple is best”.’

Kaiser adds that ‘our innovation principles are testament to the enduring success of our simple reflection tube heating systems.  We believe that these still represent the benchmark for the industry – versatile, current and cost-effective.’

Freek will also show some of its work in its shape  memory alloys, ThermoLock and ThermoDrive. ‘This is a long term project’  says Kaiser. We want to  be totally sure that the alloy keeps its attributes in a steady state under  high-temperature working conditions. To gain more security in regard to  high-temperature operation we are participating in a funded SMA network  bringing together producers, processors, users and research  institutes.

Both Ceramicx and Freek are well aware that K 2010 is going  to be remembered for its focus on energy efficiency and for ecological  processing solutions. Frank Wilson of Ceramicx says that ‘this is an  inevitable direction in manufacturing worldwide. The companies that Ceramicx  wants to meet at K 2010 are those that see energy-useage and monitoring as a  major factor in equipment construction of any kind. Ceramicx is right at home  with the low carbon future. We promote the ideas through the measurement of  energy content in our own work and also through the encouragement of energy  monitoring ideas throughout thermoforming – including measuring part-energy  content.’ The differences in energy savings between the ceramicx product and  other similar/competing products on the market, ceramic products in particular  are significant.

For its part, Freek is firstly looking forward to  greeting the hotrunner manufacturers visiting K 2010. Says Kaiser, ‘they need  heating solutions from back to front: bushing heaters, channel heaters and  nozzle heaters – especially the latter. The injection moulders themselves are  also a key audience. Part of the appeal of the K exhibition is the great  diversity of industries and applications that use process heat. Within  polymers – and in addition to thermoforming and injection moulding – there are  a multitude of heat processes, such as sealing, welding, labelling, drying who  could all find solutions on the stand we share with Ceramicx.’

Both  companies are optimistic about the future of plastics processing and about the  centrality of the K exhibition in driving the industry forward. Ceramicx has  seen a general surge in demand for its quality-based infrared engineering and  products. Freek also has posted growth figures this year and sees the general  expansion for plastics continuing. Freek characterises the low-carbon  industrial future as one of “resource saving” – ‘a mega trend,’ says Kaiser,  ‘that focuses on both energy and materials. It also explains the  miniaturization trend in our industry.  Miniaturization has been one of  two major impacting developments at Freek. The other has been what we call  “Xtreme Development”. Examples include: Hotcoil heaters for 400V supply,  Hotcoil heaters 1250V load tested and HighPower Hotcoils 1800 mm long.

Freek’s latest miniature heating production includes a tubular  heater of diameter. 3,3 mm and 3×3 mm. ‘This product was presented at the end of last year’s  Fakuma show,’ says Kaiser, ‘yet is also a high potential product in our this  years K show exhibition. It’s available in stainless steel and nickel and made  for miniature hotrunner channels.’  Kaiser says that ‘Freek still makes  the smallest compact heating available in the market – and with appealing  price-performance ratios to match.  The Freek Microcoil dia. 1,3 mm and  the 1,0×1,6 mm are now produced with the same process routine and reliability  as the bigger size standard dia. 1,8 mm resp. 1,3×2,3 mm.  significantly.

Wilson and Kaiser agree that the industry has much to look  forward to in Dusseldorf in late October. ‘For anyone involved in processing  and heat work,’ says Wilson, ‘our joint stand will be big on practicality and  provability: Between both companies there isn’t much that we don’t know about  the heat forming of plastics – and we hope to show those skills in depth to  the visitors at K 2010 in Dusseldorf this year, October 27-November 3.

For further information on Ceramicx and Freek at the K Show please see www.kshow2010.com

All  further details from Ceramicx, Frank Wilson, Managing Director.

www.ceramicx.com , Tel.  +353 28 37510, Fax + 353 28 37509, frank@ceramicx.com

All further details from Freek, Stefan Düllmann, Marketing &  Development.

www.freek.de Tel +49 2373  9590-16, Fax +49 2373 959030, s.duellmann@freek.de

The 18th K international plastics exhibition takes place in Dusseldorf, Germany from October 27 to November 3, daily from 10.00am to 6.30pm. Ceramicx and Freek will be jointly exhibiting in Hall 11 – Stand A-01.

Posted in infrared heaters, Infrared Heating, k 2010, K Show 2010, K Show 2010 Dusseldorf, Plastics Thermoforming, quartz heaters, Thermoforming | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Infrared specialist Ceramicx and Freek work together for BM Anlagenbau

July 21, 2010 by Ceramicx

Infrared specialist and manufacturer Ceramicx has been working with German heating expert Friedr Freek in providing leading manufacturer, BM Anlagenbau, with some leading edge production processes in order to make its innovative range of coated concrete and stone products.

Infrared heat treatment binds the polymer to the concrete

Infrared heat treatment binds the polymer to the concrete

Hameln-based BM Anlagenbau has for many years been supplying merchants in the building and construction sectors with film and paint-protected building products. These specially treated concrete and stone products resist wear and tear; hold their aesthetic through the product lifetime, as well as being graffiti and vandal proof.

The technology is increasing in popularity since it can resist weathering and other aspects of ageing and thus extend product life and service life; reducing efflorescence and guarding against tyre abrasions, food, oil and chemical contaminations.

In production, most of the BM Anlagenbau product range is typically treated with polymer paints and then needs to dry before being packaged and shipped. Infrared heating has a key role to play; firstly in preparing the concrete and stone surfaces before the polymer paints are applied. As with plastics thermoforming, infrared preheating improves the surface readiness and also the penetration of the coating material into the concrete. This makes for better adhesion and for better long-term protection of the concrete product. Pre and post-spray infrared heating also eliminates the tendency for a developing film surface to ‘bubble’ and crack the surface of the coating. With two heat applications the material firstly evaporates from the substrate and then from the top.

The overall effect of the plastic film on concrete is a silk-like finish to the concrete and stone. This is often referred to as the ‘wet-effect’ and increases the depth of colour in the case of concrete – making the product much more visually appealing.

Water and chemical resistance are a key part of the finished product

Water and chemical resistance are a key part of the finished product

Ceramicx Founder and Managing Director Frank Wilson says that ‘Infrared technology has an amazing potential for all industries that is still largely untapped. Thanks to the innovation of BM Anlagenbau this part of the construction industry is feeling the benefit – consumers and our environment also. Ceramicx learned a great deal from being part of this project – in designing the right array of elements and infrared emissions to suit – as well as engineering the infrared reflectors to provide exactly the right kind of heating for the concrete and give the whole system the right price/performance ratio. In this case,’ Wilson adds, ‘the high speed infrared heating also allows the client to adjust the overall heating systems in a modular manner –minimising space; helping changeovers, reducing production costs and improving competitiveness.’

Stephan Dullmann for Freek says that ‘we were delighted to be able to help BM Anlagenbau engineer the heating system; producing a fault-free job at an optimum price. Heat systems service and know-how have become synonymous with the Freek company reputation and this project, we are please to say has been no exception.’

BM Anlagenbau director Dirk Matyschiok says that ‘the quick response and the precise control of infrared heat work have been the keys in perfecting our system. Furthermore, the heat applications can be fully implemented into a comprehensive control system, which reduces overall costs significantly. This – combined with the modular system – allows for easy up and down-grading. In addition, the “oversized” integral fans allow for compact ovens without extra blowers .The project has clearly shown the benefit of trusting in the expertise of development partners playing a leading role in their sectors. No need to say who the partners will be for further heat work projects to come.

Ceramicx and Freek are both exhibiting their plastics and polymer know-how together at the prestigious triennial plastics industry exhibition in Dusseldorf this Autumn. Both companies will share an exhibition space at the K show 2010, which runs at the Dusseldorf Messe, Germany, from Wednesday October 27th to Wednesday November 3rd.

Ceramicx Founder and Managing Director Frank Wilson says ‘that we are delighted to be teaming up at K 2010 with a company of such quality as Freek. Last Autumn, Freek already wowed the plastics sector at the Fakuma show with its innovative all-in solutions for nozzle heating and SMA clamping systems “ThermoLock” and “ThermoDrive. The Freek developments in miniaturisation of  manifold heaters were also extremely impressive and many more heating innovations are set to be unveiled by them and by ourselves at the Dusseldorf show this October this year.’

Freek manager Stefan Düllmann says that ‘Ceramicx is the only company on the market which manufactures the complete range of infrared heaters – long, medium and short wave. The elements are perfectly developed for each application, reasonably priced and available on short notice. Furthermore,’ adds Düllmann, ‘Ceramicx has gained a huge knowledge on all details of infrared heating. Superb technical support is always guaranteed.

All further details from Ceramicx, Frank Wilson, Managing Director.
www.ceramicx.com ,
Tel. +353 28 37510,
Fax + 353 28 37509,
frank@ceramicx.com

All further details from Freek, Stefan Düllmann, Marketing & Development.
www.freek.de
Tel +49 2373 9590-16,
Fax +49 2373 959030,
s.duellmann@freek.de

For further information on Ceramicx and Freek at the K Show please see www.kshow2010.com


Posted in Infrared Heater Manufacturer, infrared heaters, Infrared Heating, K Show 2010, Plastics Thermoforming | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blogging for International Markets

May 27, 2010 by Frank Wilson

The world of communications is changing. No longer do we reply on print media, newspapers magazines, television and radio news. To that must be added the social media of facebook and twitter. To that must also be added the websites and blogs of special interest internet groups, associations, consultants and academe.

Ceramicx, for example, is delighted to have been featured in the recent business consulting blog by Una Coleman.  Una’s piece gives a good insight into part of our marketing story to date – highlighting some of the ways in which we have used modern online and media marketing methods to expand the business. More importantly, for us, Una’s blog serves to spread the Ceramicx word. Communities of whatever kind – management, technical, marketing – are increasingly international – and so Una’s story about us reaches her peers and customers all over the world.

Other than sparing my blushes at being describe as an engineer (I understand engineering and engineers – though have no formal qualifications in it) I can recommend the blog to you as an example in miniature of the new marketing technology assessing and describing itself at work.
http://bloggertone.com/global/2010/04/26/do-you-blog-for-international-business/

I have no doubt that we shall see more marketing delivered in this vein for all companies in time to come and we aim to keep the world informed about our Infrared Heaters.

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The Art of Infrared Investment

February 8, 2010 by Frank Wilson

You may have lately read in the trade press about our recent capital spend at Ceramicx – in the form of metal forming and milling capabilities; CNC control and software and other ancillary equipment designed to help us keep hold of our destiny and provide the customer with all of their infrared heating needs. Needless to say, Ceramicx has been delighted with the outcomes and consequences of our investments over the past 18 months.

But make no mistake, any kind of investment is hard won. Not only must value-adding production be altered and even stopped in its tracks; existing methods of doing things will be reviewed and overhauled. Old ways will be redundant – but new ways will do things better. There is also the small matter of cash and purchasing capability.
Over a twelve month window, Ceramicx spent in excess of a quarter of a million pounds, but the fruit of that capital investment was the result of ten years careful management and savings.

The bottom line is that change is often painful but mostly necessary. There’s no sense in arguing with reality since you always lose – 100%. A good investor recognises these factors – and also can develop a 6th sense for the right moment to make that change. Timing is all.

More recently – this year – Ceramicx has seen the need to invest in its marketing; projecting the name, the brand and our products into the trade and local press; onto the ever growing world of the Internet and into the proliferating social media(follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook) that now surround us. This year also sees us travelling the world, presenting and exhibiting , in order to press that message home – and to lay further foundations for our global success.

And right now, Ceramicx faces fresh challenges in its efforts to invest in low energy cost and capability and to instil an awareness of what a low carbon footprint means – locally and worldwide – for the sake of our environment, our customers and our industry.

Investment in my view, is as much as art as a science. Catch the right wave successfully and you’re half-way home.

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