Induction Heating Aluminum Catheter Tipping With IGBT Heating Units
Objective: To heat an aluminum catheter tipping die to above 2850F within 2 to 5 secondsĀ for the forming of catheter material. Presently, heating is performed inĀ 15 seconds with older induction equipment. The customer would like to useĀ solid state induction equipment to reduce the heating times and develop aĀ more efficient process.
Material: Aluminum catheter tipping die measuring 3/8″ OD and 2″ long with aĀ nonmagnetic sleeve over the heat zone. The catheter material was describedĀ as being similar to polyurethane plastic. Also, a 0.035″ diameter steel wireĀ was inserted into the catheter tube to prevent collapsing.
Temperature: 5000F
Application: The DW-UHF-4.5kW solid state induction power supplyĀ was determined to most efficiently produce the following results:
A heating time of 3.3 seconds to reach 5000F and form the catheterĀ was achieved through the use of a two (2) over two (2) turn helicalĀ coil.
A quality catheter was formed by pressing 1/2″ of the polyurethane tubeĀ into the mold while retaining shape through the use of a 0.035″ wire toĀ prevent collapsing of the tube.
Laboratory results show that a substantial time decrease was accomplishedĀ which will allow for a significant increase in production while notĀ sacrificing quality.
Equipment: DW-UHF-4.5kW solid state induction power supply including aĀ remote heat station containing one (1) capacitor totalling 1.2 Ī¼F.
Frequency: 287 kHz
