Induction Brazing Aluminum Pipes
Objective: Brazing two aluminum pipes simultaneously to an aluminum evaporator core
Material 2 aluminum pipes 0.72″ (18.3mm) diameter, evaporator core 9.88″ x 10.48″ x 1.5″ thick (251mm x 266.3mm x 38mm), braze rings
Temperature 610 ยบF (321 ยบC)
Frequency 250 kHz
Equipment โข DW-UHF-20KW induction heating system, equipped with a remote workhead containing two 1.5ฮผF capacitors for a total of 0.75ฮผF โข An induction heating coil designed and developed specifically for this application.
Process A four turn helical pancake coil is used to heat the 2 pipes simultaneously. Three braze rings are placed on each joint and power is applied for 90-100 seconds to create a leak proof joint on both pipes. Narrative โข Customer is requiring a 40 seconds heat time for both brazes. In order to meet this requirement 3 units will be utilized to braze 2 joints each for a total of 6 joints in 90-100 seconds. The customer is currently using a flame process which can burn away the thin flange at the joint area and create scrap parts. By switching to induction for this application the customer is decreasing their scrap parts and also increasing their quality and production rate.
Results/Benefits Induction heating provides:
โข Repeatable leak free joints
โข Increased part quality, less scrap
โข Hands-free heating that involves no operator skill for manufacturing
โข Even distribution of heating