Sommer Allibert (UK) are high volume manufacturers of carpets for
the automotive market.
Such carpets need to be heated prior to forming and this is conventionally
achieved with ceramic infra-red.
However, this is a slow and inaccurate method, so A.I.S. set about
updating the process to bring it in line with modern manufacturing
methods.
The answer was found by using linear quartz shortwave infra-red with
a thyristor based closed loop control package. 230kw of infra-red are
zoned to give seven areas of control. Each area is regulated by a
process controller for over-temperature protection, and pyrometer
signals for the carpet to move to press. The system has reduced processing
time by 85% and has led to a superior product.