Heating Plates & Hot Surfaces

HotMicroCoils have an exceptional capacity for being shaped - even in three dimensions. Many special winding patterns and geometries apart from the purely cylindrical are thus possible, allowing heating close to the contours of all manner of surfaces. Applications include hot runner manifolds, heating plates and hot die stamps. The shaped heating elements thus obtained can be used in two principal ways: either placed over the surface to be heated (firmly bonded by soldering, force-fitted, pressed or otherwise appropriately joined) or pressed into a positive fit in grooves in the surface to be heated. The second of these alternatives is also becoming more widely accepted in plastics processing, as it offers the best heat transfer because the heating area is the greatest (see also Freek Heat Transfer System). Since not all our customers have the necessary equipment and experience to press the HotMicroCoil elements into the contours of the surfaces, Freek also offers this as a service.

Micanite is a kind of insulation paper which is impregnated with a heat resistant binder and afterwards pressed in several shifts under heat and high pressure to plates. This material is heat resistant up to 350 °C, as special construction (Phlogopit) up to 450 °C, and is used for the wire wound formers as well as for the encapsulating cover plates of mica surface heaters. Because of the typical "sandwich"-construction of Micanite Flat Heating Elements and their high watt density it is necessary to use a platen to press the mica heater onto the surface to be heated. Established on the market for round Flat Heating Elements are some standard dimensions (Ø 58 / Ø 65 / Ø 80 / Ø 100 / Ø 160 / Ø 260 mm). But normally Micanite Surface Heating Elements are constructed on customer's request. Mica heaters can be metal sheathed for higher mechanical stability. This makes the heater flexible, so that it is also possible to build a band heater.

We can offer flexible heating elements manufactured from three different insulation materials: silicone, polyimide (Kapton) or polyester. Each of these materials possess different properties which make them suitable for diverse applications. Silicone heaters can also be produced in very large sizes, whereas polyimide is significantly thinner and polyester unbeatable in price when it comes to high quantities. All three of them are bespoke products made according to your needs, so within the bounds of what is technically feasible you as the customer can determine almost every feature of your heater. This can include; voltage, wattage, dimensions, shape, sensors, leads, plus much more. Due to their low thermal mass flexible polymer insulated heaters distinguish themselves by a very short response time and excellent controllability.

Ceramic Insulated (Band) Heaters are predestined for high-temperature applications beyond 450 °C, for example for pipe heating in process heat technology, especially when gases are involved. Ceramic insulated sectional surface heating elements are also brought into action where a heat storage capacity is needed, as in hot plates the case. With the heating surface of ceramic flat heaters being composed by small-limbed ceramic elements with aligned holes in the centre for the resistance coils to be fed through, ceramic sectional heating mats are also applicable for bent or cylindric surfaces. Like Micanite insulated flat heating elements also Ceramic insulated elements can receive a metal sheath. The latter provides additional protection against mechanical load and allows for attaching connection boxes. Another advantage is the easy installation by means of mounting holes in the metal cladding.