Custom Shaped / Contour Lamps
for Industrial Infrared Heating
Quartz tube IR emitters can be formed into many different shapes in order to properly match the requirements of an industrial infrared finishing processes’ heat application. Some applications need very specific and precise heat control. Infrared emissions travel in straight paths, so when the substrate has an irregular surface it can partially block the emissions from a straight lamp. Custom Shaped or Contoured IR emitters provide a solution to this issue.
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The most popular are omega shaped lamps, “C” shaped lamps, and contour shaped lamps. These IR lamps are manufactured to focus the infrared heat to where it is needed.​ Continue reading below to learn more.
Omega Shaped Lamps
Omega lamps are used in heating beakers of liquid, heating test tubes/medical vials, forming or bending tubes, drawing glass or plastic fibers, and shrinking insulation on wire, fiber optic and carbon fiber cables.
Broadly speaking, applications include sterilization, baking, heating, boiling, joining of plastic parts, annealing, bending of rods and the drawing of plastic fibers.
The circular interior diameter can be as small as 23 mm and as large as 410 mm, though typical sizes vary from 51mm-305mm (2″- 12″) outer diameters.
Omega lamps are either shortwave or fast response medium wave (FRMW), and therefore offer fast heat up and cool down. They can have gold or ceramic 180° reflective coatings that can focus the emissions to the center or at a 45° angle focusing emissions up or down.
They are engineered for use in a horizontal orientation, and the maximum temperature is 2400°C (4350°F). Lamp life expectancy is approximately 5000 hours.
ATD’s omega shaped lamps can be manufactured comparable specifications to shortwave T3 straight quartz tube lamp (available with 8. 10 and 12 mm o.d. tubes).
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“C” Lamps
C-shaped infrared lamps can be shortwave, medium wave or FRMW, and are mostly used to keep the seal area of a lamp outside the heated area. The "legs" of the lamp can be installed in such a way that the seal area can be easily cooled, which extends the life of the lamp.
C-lamps are used in the printing industry to dry inks, in the nonwoven and textile industries to dry water and dyes, and are also used to cure paint and powder coatings. ATD’s C-shaped infrared lamps are available using T3 and T4 tubes for shortwave and FRMW. Medium wave lamps are T4 (12 mm) and 19 mm. These lamps can also have a 180° reflective coating installed that focuses the energy emissions in the direction of the substrate.
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“U” Lamps
“U” lamps are available in both medium and shortwave. Like the “C” lamp, the shortwave “U” lamp design allows for sealed ends outside the heated zone, which keeps the seals cool and extends lamp life expectancy. The long legs of the “U” make it an exceptional choice for use in a vacuum chamber where the ceramic end caps and the metal wires and connections must be outside the heated area.
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Anderson Thermal Devices can custom engineer, design and manufacture many shaped-lamp configurations. Please contact us with any inquiries regarding Custom Shaped Infrared Lamps, or any of our infrared heating solutions.
Anderson Thermal Devices is a US-based manufacturer of industrial infrared heaters. Benefiting from 75+ years in infrared heating, our team is eager to find the right solution for your application.