Warmest Christmas wishes and every happiness in the coming year from Ceramicx. To our valued customers, suppliers, employees, and friends ... Read moreCeramicx Christmas Holidays 2025
Using a combination of existing in house expertise in the production of Pressure Cast Technical Parts, the most modern equipment available in the market and in house services in design, mechanical, electrical and control, we can now design and build advanced bespoke tooling within Ceramicx for all your technical Ceramic needs.
Dust press
Historically, developing our own dust press capabilities enabled us to produce accessories and component parts in-house—giving us greater control over quality, lead times, and flexibility.
With excellent mechanical strength, good dielectric properties, and a high-temperature resistivity of up to 1000°C, Steatite ceramic dust has proven itself to be the material of choice for the manufacture of electrical insulators. Most commonly used in applications where a high-temperature electrical insulator is required, it operates well in cold switching applications and is also an excellent high voltage insulator.
Whether you need a few thousand or millions of parts, our versatile setup with three Dorst Press machines (ranging from 3 to 30 tonnes) is ready to manufacture specialist steatite ceramic dust press components at any scale.
Using our 5 Pressure Casting machines capable of production of technical parts with inserts and undercuts, we are now experts in accommodating steel within ceramic materials.
We are ready to support your next project with high-performance ceramic solutions, engineered and manufactured in-house for quality and reliability.
Over the past two years a revolutionary world first has been steadily established at Infrared (IR) heating specialist Ceramicx.
The benefits to Ceramicx customers have been many and varied: The company has targeted investment in pressure casting systems, together with innovative technology in machining, mould tool design and new investment in laboratories and environmental testing. Ceramicx has now successfully traded the craft variability of bench casting infrared elements for the precision of pressure casting.
Why Pressure Casting?
Sometimes in manufacturing it takes a sudden opportunity to trigger a quantum leap in quality or quantity. For Ceramicx both issues came at the same time when a leading Tier 1 automotive lighting supplier asked for a new-design volume product – a low voltage IR DC heating element to de-ice headlights with LED lighting.
Ceramicx has always made its customers a priority in every development project. This focus has led to major advancements in technical ceramic parts. These include the use of moulded-in dust-pressed parts combined with pressure-cast components. These projects typically develop and advance the art and science of IR heat work for well-defined and practical outcomes.
Ceramicx successfully completed a number of challenging new element designs. Through these projects, the company realized the full potential of its new pressure casting capabilities. This technology could now be expanded to support the core of its business—manufacturing IR heating elements. It also opened up new possibilities for designing and building engineered combinations of those elements.
Five pressure casting machines were accordingly installed over a period of time: moving the bulk of Ceramicx element production from manual bench casting towards automated and semi-automated industrial production.
From Handcrafted to Industrialized IR Heating
The new Ceramicx industrial pressure casting production system is today defined by a consistent flow of slip (ceramic material) that is regularly tested and constantly supplied to machine production.
State-of-the-art pressure casting machinery helps to eliminate human error and guarantees consistency in the moulded product.
Optimising air and water systems together with the in-house design and production of precision moulds also gives Ceramicx optimal control over the ceramic-based infared heating elements manufactured by the company.
A highly trained Ceramicx team keeps the pressure casting operation running smoothly. The company can now flex its modus operandi depending on the status of the order book; allowing industrialised ceramic element production.
As a result of in-house investment and increased capacity, replacing resin moulds to accommodate any new element order is a very quick task. It is machine installed, reliable and cost effective, allowing Ceramicx to mix and match different elements throughout the working shift when necessary.
Flexibility in Production and Design
Ceramicx also listened to its customer base when establishing the new product range from the pressure casting systems: For example, there was demand for a stronger and separate ‘pillar’ build from the main ceramic and quartz heating elements – vitrified and mechanically strong, accurate and insulative.
In response, Ceramicx now has a dedicated pressure casting machine specifically for pillar production – and has designed and engineered bespoke workstations for the wiring of those pillars before fitting them to the IR elements in a separate operation.
There are numerous benefits to the pressure casting revolution at Ceramicx: Unlike bench casting, the semi-automated nature of the process diminishes the possibility of human error considerably.
Instead, the pressure casting machine in combination with the precision moulds, performs all the work, ensuring uniformity in every element and providing a solid foundation for IR heating product made to tight tolerances. If a larger quantity of elements is suddenly needed, the new facilities – when combined with the skilled operators – provide the flexibility to achieve industrial production with minimal disruption.
Ceramicx Hollow range
Ceramicx Elements Made with Pressure Casting
At the time of writing the vast majority of ceramic infrared elements are now manufactured using the pressure casting process. These elements include: FTE, HTE, FFEH, HFEH, QFEH, SFEH, SFSE-LN and the recently developed ESE bulb range.
The result of these core production changes and an investment of around 2.4 million Euros over the past four years, has been to elevate Ceramicx above the competition. The reliability of supply, design, consistency of part and increased productivity has all helped to stabilise the supply side – while also producing a technically advanced, quality infrared element at an extremely competitive price.
In-House Prototyping and Product Development
Ceramicx can now make ceramic infrared heating elements bespoke for customers at the start of any project: discuss shapes and ideas for parts and elements; get the tools designed, prototyped and built in-house, get the products checked, environmentally tested and into full production in a matter of weeks – all under the Ceramicx roof at a very effective cost.
The Ceramicx design process begins with the assistance of Advanced CAD Software such as Solidworks in addition to other mechanical and electrical design tools. Once the initial design is ready, Ceramicx creates a 3D-printed prototype via additive manufacturing. This prototype is reviewed by the company’s quality and production teams, and if necessary, with the customer, in order to ensure it meets all requirements and expectations.
Once the design is finalized, Ceramicx creates the necessary technology using a master mould. This mould is made from a special engineering polymer to ensure a smooth surface and strong stability.
Once the design phase is complete, the focus shifts to the tool room: An expert tool making team – equipped with high-precision DMG Mori machines – then casts the resin-based mould. The Ceramicx tool room operates both morning and evening shifts to ensure the process is error-free and efficient.
Advanced Testing for Real-World Conditions
When the elements come off the pressure casting line, Ceramicx tests them in its custom-built laboratory to ensure they meet performance standards. This facility – now established for ten years , houses an automated test machine, an environmental test chamber and many other devices that simulate all conditions in the field.
The environmental test chamber, for example, operates temperatures from -50 to +190 °C with humidity (%) 0 to 100%
The Ceramicx test chamber is typically used for IR heatwork in testing de-icing heaters (for automotive OEMs), simulating drying conditions for different materials and element testing under extreme conditions(e.g. A standing start at -25°C)
Every industrial innovation carries a disruption factor and a cost, and Ceramicx has certainly endured its growing pains in matching the pressure casting vision to its fundamental IR heat work over the past three years.
Day to day production
The results, however, are definitely worth the wait. The benefits of pressure casting processes over traditional craft production have been proven to be crystal clear. Having made the technology leap, Ceramicx once again leads the way in infrared element production.
Ceramicx Pressure Casting – The Benefits:
Improved product quality
Improved production throughput
Quick part design, testing and production of custom-made parts
JIT delivery of stock products – including ISO and UL qualified
Short lead times for non-standard products
International service and support
Customer focus throughout
Ready to Experience the Next Generation of Infrared Heating? Contact our team today to discuss your custom heating requirements or request a sample of our pressure-cast IR elements. infa
Ceramicx wish our customers and friends around the world a very happy St Patrick’s Day.
St. Patrick’s Day, Friday 17th March is a Public Holiday in Ireland so Ceramicx will be closed.
Although the holiday originally started as a Christian feast day celebrating the life of St. Patrick and the spreading of Christianity to Ireland, today, it is a celebration of Irish Culture.
The shamrock, a three-leaf clover, has been associated with Ireland for centuries. It was called the “seamroy” and was a plant that signaled the beginning of spring. According to legend, St. Patrick used the plant as a visual guide when explaining the Holy Trinity. By the 17th century, the shamrock had become a symbol of emerging Irish nationalism.
Contract manufacturing (CM) works on the traditional basis of outsourcing and setting up a manufacturing agreement between the customer and the contract manufacturer. With Ceramicx as the CM, the customer can place their order for products of any size or quantity, transferring the entire manufacturing process over to us, freeing up their time and in-house processes.
Contract Manufactured product for Comfort Heating
But CM with Ceramicx goes much deeper than being just another method of outsourcing. As a leader in the infrared industry, Ceramicx has a global reputation in manufacturing cutting edge infrared components and custom-designed infrared products and heating systems for industries and sectors from aerospace and defence to automotive and construction, and more.
And, as an ISO 9001:2015 certified company, our internal processes – from purchasing, design, and R&D to production, fabrication, and delivery – for all heating assemblies reach the highest quality control standards. ISO also makes us accountable at every stage, giving you the assurance we can take your product from concept to completion – and beyond.
Using Ceramicx as your CM of choice for your specialist infrared heat products, you’re immediately opening your business up to a whole world of expertise, knowledge, and sector experience. But you also get resource and production management as well as cost savings on top.
Ceramicx gives you the edge
So what else can Ceramicx offer as your CM? As your manufacturing partner, we work closely with you to achieve everything you need. We always go
beyond the manufacturing process itself, giving you total value and the edge in your sector, including:
Infrared solutions
Our engineering experience in the sector gives us the advantage when it comes to creating an infrared heating solution to the specific issue or challenge you’re facing.
Contract Manufactured custom quartz product for heat shrink application
Prototypes
Based on discussions and drawings, we provide working prototypes and samples of your product at each stage, ensuring the continuous improvement of your product until approval.
Product testing
Our automated test lines ensure all custom components go through all the necessary electrical and thermal tests to meet the highest standards of quality and safety.
Custom tooling
For any product development, our extensive in-house capabilities allow us to design, develop, and manufacture custom tooling and production moulds.
Production capability
Our dedicated production facilities mean we can get your product from the design stage to your warehouse with the speed and efficiency you need.
Contract Manufactured custom FAST IR product for White Goods industry
Contract manufacturing with Ceramicx
Choosing a CM for your business and product doesn’t need to be a difficult process, but it needs to be right. Working with Ceramicx as your contract manufacturing partner means you’re in safe hands and we can both look forward to a successful and strategic partnership where nothing is left to chance.
For more information on how contract manufacturing with Ceramicx can help your business, contact us today at [email protected].
At the budget in April, we heard the announcement of a £25bn tax break aimed at encouraging UK business investment. By helping businesses cut their tax bill by up to 25p in every £1 invested in plant and machinery, the scheme helps firms invest in equipment to boost growth after a COVID-19-challenged year. The scheme is split into two parts:
A 130% super-deduction capital allowance on plant and machinery investment
A 50% first-year allowance for qualifying special rate assets
It’s hoped the super-deduction corporation tax relief scheme – which is available for business expenses on “qualifying plant and machinery investments” from 1st April 2021 to 31st March 2023 – will not only increase UK business investment over the next two years but will also increase the overall amount of investment as well.
How does the super-deduction work?
As we know, most tax issues can be confusing, but this scheme is relatively straightforward. Your plant and machinery need to be purchased between 1st April 2021 and 31st March 2023 to qualify and a fact sheet from the government gives us an example of how it works:
“A company incurring £1m of qualifying expenditure decides to claim the super-deduction. Spending £1m on qualifying investments will mean the company can deduct £1.3m (130% of the initial investment) in its taxable profits. Deducting £1.3m from taxable profits will save the company up to 19% of that – or £247,000 – on its corporation tax bill.”
What equipment can you claim for?
There are always rules, terms, and conditions that apply for any kind of tax-related scheme and this one’s no different. But the terminology used is far-reaching, and with most physical assets in any business classed as ‘plant and machinery’ for capital allowance purposes, it’s likely your business can take advantage.
Ceramicx Modular Infrared Conveyor Oven. Each oven module has an integrated control system to control heating, air flow, and conveying operations.
Whether you claim the full 130% super-deduction or the 50% allowance for qualifying special rate assets, the key requirement to qualify for the deduction is that all equipment purchased is new and unused. Any expenditure on second-hand equipment won’t be eligible.
Investment in Ceramicx infrared
The introduction of this corporation tax relief scheme will certainly open doors for many businesses, as the new tax year is still in its infancy, it gives you the opportunity to consider your CAPEX business spending for the next two years. By making a solid investment into machinery that might not otherwise have been possible thanks to recent events, you can now maximise your super-deductions.
With the continuing advancement of infrared technology, Ceramicx infrared heat solutions are increasing in popularity across varied manufacturing sectors and differing applications. As the original alternative energy, infrared is not only cost-effective and energy-efficient but will help your business to take steps towards a cleaner, greener, and decarbonised future.
With that in mind, there’s no better time to discover how this pioneering heat source can transform your processes and move your business forward.
When faced with an enquiry for supplying a specific, custom-made element, our North American distributors, Weco International, paved the way for an in-house engineering process that’s prompted us to create a brand new product range for Ceramicx.
PFQE-L new pillar and leads
With the Ceramicx team working on the design, we created a variation on our existing pillared infrared quartz elements that
Ceramicx FFEH and PFQE-L elements mounted in a RAS 2 reflector
allowed an easier process for their customer to interchange individual or arrays of ceramic elements to quartz elements and vice versa, quickly and easily.
Although in its early stages, the new range works in the same basic way, and now allows all customers to change their infrared system’s quartz and ceramic components as and when they need to.
New Ceramicx quartz elements
Using our pillared infrared quartz element (PFQE) as a starting point, the first of our new products is the Pillared Full Quartz Element – Leads (PFQE-L). As a direct result of working on the component for our American customer, the design has been engineered and refined to create the new PFQE-L element.
Its key feature is the inclusion of a pillar that’s the same height as included on the ceramic element with additional connection leads so it can easily be interchanged with standard ceramic elements. So if a heating system uses standard ceramic Full Flat Element Hollow (FFEH), one or more of them could be taken out and replaced by the new quartz PFQE-L elements.
RAS 2 reflector with mounted elements from the back
Giving users greater flexibility, the new elements allow a complete change in infrared wavelengths for a wider range of applications when previously it meant building a whole new machine. Now, a machine retrofit can be completed using just the new elements to upgrade an entire system.
Ceramicx will also be adding to this new product
range over the coming months. We’ll shortly be releasing a Pillared Square Quartz Element – Leads (PSQE-L), which works in the same way and will be an addition to our existing PFQE and PHQE quartz elements.
This will be followed by similar products in due course – watch this space. In the meantime, if you’re interested in purchasing a quantity of the new PFQE-L product, please email [email protected] with your enquiry.
Illustration of the radiant output of our ceramic element types.
The use of infrared technology is continually advancing across many global commercial and industrial sectors. And, as a leading manufacturer of ceramic and quartz heating elements, our continued development means Ceramicx elements have transformed how infrared heat is used in a range of manufacturing applications.
But, with distinct differences between them, there can often be confusion about which element type is best to use for the
best results. So which Ceramicx infrared heating elements are best for your application?
What Ceramicx heating specialists need to know
To help you find the right element type for your requirements and system, the most important information for us to know is:
The area you need to heat
The power and type of element you need to use.
The target material
This article should give you a head start making that choice.
Ceramic infrared heating elements | Hollow, Flat, or Trough?
A consistently popular radiant heat emitter range, industry-standard ceramic infrared elements are the most efficient element where long cycle times are required.
Ceramic Trough Elements – Long-wave trough elements produce a concentrated heat output that disperses over distance. Best suited to applications requiring emitters positioned further from the target material.
Ceramic Hollow Elements – Long-wave hollow elements filled with high-density insulating material, giving a significant reduction in rear heat loss with increased radiant output from the front of the element.
Ceramic Flat Elements – Long-wave flat elements produce higher operating temperatures and uniform heat output. Best suited to applications requiring emitters positioned closer to the target material.
Ceramic element fast facts
Wattage: up to 1500W
Temperature: up to 726°C
Wavelength range: 3-10µm
Heat-up time: ~10 minutes
Most popular elements: FTE, FFEH, SFEH
Quartz infrared heating elements | Standard or Pillared?
Quartz infrared elements can be effective where rapid heater response and/or zone-controlled heat is needed.
Quartz Standard Elements – Short to medium-wave standard quartz heater elements consist of iron-chrome aluminium resistance wires inside highly reflective aluminium clad or stainless steel housing. Better suited to applications that involve continuous movement, their metal studs can withstand mechanical shock better than ceramic mounts of the pillared quartz element variation.
Quartz Pillared Elements – Short to medium-wave pillared quartz heater elements feature exactly the same technical and physical specifications but also include a pressed, ceramic pillar for mounting. With a 42 x 15mm punched slot in the reflector (max. thickness 1.5mm) and a supplied spring and clip, quartz pillared elements are designed for easy element replacement. The pillar also houses screw terminals for connection and can easily be interchanged for ceramic elements.
Quartz element fast facts:
Wattage: up to 1000W
Temperature: up to 772°C
Wavelength range: 1.5-8µm
Heat up time: ~5 minutes
Most popular elements: FQE, PFQE
Quartz tube infrared heating elements | Halogen or Tungsten?
As a powerful heat emitter range, quartz infrared halogen and tungsten elements are used in fast-moving processes with shorter cycle times that require extremely high temperatures.
Quartz Halogen Elements – Short-wave quartz halogen heating elements use halogen gas to support the tungsten filament in reaching temperatures as high as 2600°C, with a peak wavelength emission of ~1.0µm.
Quartz Tungsten Elements – Medium-wave quartz tungsten heating elements use a porcupine or star type coil filament to reach operating temperatures up to 1500°C, with a peak wavelength emission of ~1.6µm.
Quartz Halogen and Tungsten element fast facts:
Wattage: up to 2000W
Temperature: up to 2600°C
Wavelength range: 1-1.6µm
Heat up time: instant
Ceramicx heating solutions
Infrared heat technology has the ability to deliver plenty of benefits to the user, whatever the process or application. Regardless of the demands, each ceramic, quartz, quartz halogen, or quartz tungsten infrared emitter provides precision heat where it’s needed, as well as being cost-effective and energy-efficient.
While delivering on cost and efficiency, making the right choice of Ceramicx infrared element will also mean:
Reduced machinery or process downtime
Reduced heat loss to machine surroundings
Consistent process heating for a reduced product reject rate
Less time and energy wasted replacing elements beyond essential maintenance
Better results / better quality product
For more information, complete our enquiry form here or email at [email protected]. We’ll be happy to help you find the right heating solution for you and your business.
The shamrock, a three-leaf clover, has been associated with Ireland for centuries. It was called the “seamroy” and was a plant that signaled the beginning of spring. According to legend, St. Patrick used the plant as a visual guide when explaining the Holy Trinity. By the 17th century, the shamrock had become a symbol of emerging Irish nationalism.
