Introduction
We built the Krones Contiform 3 infrared lamp to be a straight-up, drop-in replacement for high-speed rotary blow molding lines. It was made for one thing: keeping pace with the relentless rhythm of SACMI machines. The whole point? Light it up fast, hold the heat steady, and keep that line moving.
The Nitty-Gritty
On a rotary PET blow molder, the preform heater has a split-second to get up to temperature and then just… stay there. Through thousands of cycles. So we packed a ton of heat into a small space. This way, the heating window keeps up with the machine’s breakneck speed. The electrical design is all about a snappy thermal response. Less time warming up means less idle heat and a more consistent output while you’re in the middle of a production run. And the fit? It’s perfect. The lamp’s size and power are matched to the Contiform 3 heater block, so it just slides in. No messing with the reflector or mounting hardware. That means changeover is quick, and you don’t have to re-tune the whole heating profile.
What It’s Made Of
Inside, you’ve got a shortwave infrared halogen element, tucked away in a quartz tube. The halogen gives you controllable, stable heat, while the quartz can handle the shock of rapid temperature swings and constant on-off cycling. The tube is coated to focus the heat downward and shield the element from drafts and grime. For the connection, we went with an R7s connector. It locks in fast and gives you a solid, reliable contact. On a rotary machine, there’s always vibration. This connector keeps the power flowing steady, so the lamp doesn’t flicker or lose power when you need it most.
On The Floor, In The Real World
On a SACMI rotary blow molder, you need the heater to fire right back up after a quick stop or service. No lag. No slowing the line down. This lamp’s fast-start response cuts down the time it takes to get back to temperature, so you’re back to full-speed production in no time. And that quartz build? It can take a beating on a busy plant floor. Here’s the trade-off, though. That kind of high heat density needs proper cooling and clean airflow. If the machine’s cooling system is undersized, the lamp can run hotter than it needs to, which shortens its life. Just make sure your airflow is planned and the reflector is kept clean. Do that, and you’ll get steady heating with way fewer surprise breakdowns.