Excelitas at Fakuma 2024: Infrared heat optimizes film processing

Plastic films are used in many different ways, for sealing roofs, as food packaging, as decorative or functional films in car interiors. The films are painted, printed, embossed, laminated or laminated and all of these processes benefit from innovative infrared systems. Very thin films are a challenge for heating processes. Infrared emitters have proven to be very effective here, as plastics absorb medium wavelengths particularly well and convert them quickly into heat. At the Fakuma trade fair (October 15 - 19, 2024), Excelitas Technologies will be exhibiting infrared emitters and systems from Noblelight in Hall A4, Stand 4308, which can be precisely matched to the plastic material and process. This makes heating processes more efficient and helps to save energy and costs.

Conventional heating methods quickly reach their limits when it comes to increasing the process speed when processing films. Large rollers weighing several tons have to be heated up for a long time, cool down only slowly if the belt stops unexpectedly and can therefore cause problems. Hot air causes the films to flutter and the heat transfer is not optimal, so hot air ovens are very large if higher belt speeds are to be achieved. In contrast, infrared radiation transfers energy contact-free and very efficiently. Carbon infrared emitters emit medium wavelengths and thus heat the films, especially on the surface. They can be controlled very well because they react within seconds. This minimizes damage in the event of a sudden belt stop. If coating or printing on films is to be dried efficiently, it often turns out that hot air ovens are not an option for the thin films. Infrared drying with medium-wave infrared emitters provides a remedy here. Short-wave radiation simply radiates through a film, while medium-wave radiation heats films very efficiently, especially on the surface. Carbon infrared emitters combine medium wave radiation with very short reaction times, which helps to minimize damage in the event of an unexpected belt stop. Excelitas offers infrared systems that are precisely adapted to the product and process, saving space, effort and costs.