Strip Heating Systems

Inductotherm brings the world’s most advanced induction heating technology to the continuous annealing and coating lines. Equipment includes in-line strip annealing systems, strip heaters, edge heaters, galvanneal heaters, boost heaters, tin reflow systems, paint dryers and anti-fingerprint systems. Adding induction technology to process lines can significantly reduce yield losses and increase profitability.

Galvannealing:
Inductotherm is the pioneer in heating systems for galvannealing using high frequency, transistorized inverters. This type of inverter has the best efficiency and promotes uniform heating of the strip.

In addition to using high frequency inverters, Inductotherm’s galvanneal systems feature our patented doorless inductor. The doorless inductors are specially designed to withstand the adverse effects of zinc dust and facilitate maintenance of the equipment.

The combination of the high-frequency inverter and doorless inductor is assembled on one steel structure that is connected to the movable holding furnace. Prior to shipping the equipment, this assembly is tested as a unit in our workshop, which reduces the time and costs of installation and commissioning.

Edge Heating:
Inductotherm has also developed and patented a new type of induction edge heating system which uses an inductor that automatically adjusts to a change of strip dimensions without any movement. This system is designed to be added below the galvanneal heating assembly.

Tin Reflow:
Tinplate is essentially a light-gauge steel coated with tin on both sides. After the tin has been electrolytic deposited on the strip, it is momentarily melted resulting in a non porous iron-tin layer. This layer improves weldability and mechanical and corrosion resistance. Inductotherm's high-frequency Statitron technology permits rapid melting of the tin layer at high efficiency (approximately 80%) thus reducing the overall cost to produce this product.

Boost Heating:
Induction heating is perfectly adapted for rapid changes of steel temperature during the thermal cycling in annealing furnaces. Induction heating equipment can also be used for preheating the strip furnace entry by effectively "boosting" the capacity of the line. These systems are compact and can be supplied in powers up to 7000kW.

Paint & Coating Drying:
Numerous types of coatings have appeared on the market in the last few years. Of particular interest are the Chrome Free and RoHS Compliant coating which require higher peak metal temperature than other coatings. Inductotherm's high power, short coil design makes it ideal for retrofits of existing coating lines as well as new lines.

Because of the extensive range, please contact us to find out what system will best suit your needs.