Induction heating is a process where electric current is passed through an electrical coil to create an oscillating electric and magnetic field. This magnetic field is used to heat a workpiece made from ferromagnetic material.
Induction heating has been used as a cost effective, accurate and efficient method of heating metal or ferromagnetic workpieces since its development in the early 1900s. It is primarily used in industrial applications, including surface heat treatment, brazing, annealing, hardening and forging.
Induction heaters consist of four main parts: an electrical power supply, an induction coil, a cooling fan, and a temperature control device. The power supply sends an alternating current through the coil, producing a magnetic field that induces eddy currents in the body of the workpiece. These currents consume energy and heat the workpiece quickly and evenly.
To improve energy efficiency and process control, some induction heating systems use multiple induction coils, and different frequencies can be used for different materials. Typically, low frequencies are used for large components, and higher frequencies are used for smaller parts. The temperature control device ensures that the heat is evenly distributed throughout the workpiece, preventing burning and other damage. The cooling fan helps to prevent the induction heater from overheating.
Induction heating has several advantages over other heating methods. It is a fast and efficient process, which results in fewer defects in the material and greater energy savings. It is also more precise than other methods, as it can heat the exact size and shape of a workpiece required. Compared to traditional heating processes, induction heating requires less electricity, generating fewer hazardous emissions.
Furthermore, induction heating is a non-contact process, meaning it is safer as there is no risk of burning or injuring a workers skin. The workpiece itself also stays cool to the touch, allowing workers to hold it while it is heated.
In summary, induction heating is a cost effective, efficient, and safe heating process that has been used for the manufacturing of metal and ferromagnetic components since the early 1900s. It has several advantages over other heating processes, and provides greater process control, precision and energy savings.
