Fast Medium Wave Infrared Heater (FMW Twin Tube)
In advanced industrial drying, engineers often face a compromise: short-wave heaters offer instant control but poor absorption in certain materials, while standard medium-wave heaters offer excellent absorption but suffer from sluggish thermal response. The Hongtai Fast medium wave infrared heater eliminates this compromise entirely.
Engineered specifically for water-based solvent evaporation and thin-film processing, this FMW twin tube emitter bridges the gap between technologies. It operates at a peak wavelength of 1.4 to 2.0 μm, which perfectly matches the absorption spectrum of water and many organic polymers. Yet, unlike traditional medium-wave lamps that take minutes to heat up, this advanced emitter reaches optimal operating temperatures in just 1 to 2 seconds.
1. The Engineering Behind the “Star Filament”
The secret to this rapid response lies in the internal construction. Standard medium-wave lamps rely on thick, coiled iron-chrome-aluminum (FeCrAl) alloys that have high thermal mass.
Our Star filament heater utilizes a highly specialized, corrugated tungsten filament—often referred to as a “Star” or “Porcupine” filament due to its unique geometric shape.
This specific winding technique drastically reduces the filament’s thermal inertia while vastly increasing its radiant surface area. The result? You get the deep-penetrating, highly efficient medium-wave spectrum (1.4-2.0 μm) combined with the rapid on/off switching capabilities of a short-wave halogen lamp. When the conveyor stops, the heater turns off instantly, completely eliminating the risk of scorching delicate textiles or melting plastic films.
2. Comprehensive Technical Specifications
We manufacture these heaters using heavy-duty, fused twin-tube quartz to ensure mechanical rigidity across wide machinery spans.
| Parameter | Industrial Specification | Notes |
| Product Type | Fast medium wave infrared | FMW Twin Tube Design |
| Cross-Section Size | 11x23mm | High-purity quartz glass |
| Peak Wavelength | 1.4 – 2.0 μm | Optimized for water absorption |
| Color Temperature | 1600K – 1800K | Distinctive warm orange glow |
| Heating Element | Tungsten Star Filament (Corrugated) | Low thermal mass |
| Thermal Response Time | 1 – 2 Seconds | Instant On/Off |
| Reflector Integration | Gold or White Ceramic Coating | >90% directional reflection |
| Maximum Length | Up to 3000mm | For wide-web processing |
| Operating Lifespan | > 5000 Hours | Halogen cycle protected |
3. Precision Industry Applications
The Fast medium wave infrared spectrum is highly specific and offers unparalleled ROI in the following applications:
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Water-Based Ink Drying: Water exhibits a massive absorption peak around 1.9 μm. This heater targets that exact wavelength, flashing off water in printing inks on offset and flexo presses instantly without overheating the paper web.
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Textile & Fabric Setting: Preheating, drying, and heat-setting synthetic fabrics. The rapid response prevents fabric fires during line jams.
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Plastic Film Stretching: BOPP and PET film orientation lines where precise, responsive heat control dictates film thickness uniformity.
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Powder Scattering & Lamination: Melting hot-melt adhesives in automotive interior manufacturing.
| Medium-wave infrared (IR) heating lamp | |||||||
| Model | Power (W) | Voltage (V) | Color temperature (K) | The peak wavelength (um) | Life (H) | Diameter (mm) | Size (mm) |
| IR-1 | 300 | 120 | 980-1380 | 2.5-4.5 | 5000 | 8-10 | 200-450 |
| IR-1 | 325 | 120 | 980-1380 | 2.5-4.5 | 5000 | 8-10 | 200-450 |
| IR-1 | 400 | 120-240 | 980-1380 | 2.5-4.5 | 5000 | 8-10 | 200-450 |
| IR-1 | 500 | 120-240 | 980-1380 | 2.5-4.5 | 5000 | 8-10 | 200-450 |
| IR-1 | 600 | 120-240 | 980-1380 | 2.5-4.5 | 5000 | 8-10 | 250-600 |
| IR-1 | 800 | 120-240 | 980-1380 | 2.5-4.5 | 5000 | 8-10 | 250-800 |
| IR-1 | 1000 | 120-240 | 980-1380 | 2.5-4.5 | 5000 | 10-12 | 300-1500 |
| IR-1 | 1200 | 120-240 | 980-1380 | 2.5-4.5 | 5000 | 10-12 | 350-1500 |
| IR-1 | 1500 | 120-380 | 980-1380 | 2.5-4.5 | 5000 | 10-12 | 350-1500 |
| IR-1 | 1800 | 120-380 | 980-1380 | 2.5-4.5 | 5000 | 10-12 | 350-1500 |
| IR-1 | 2000 | 120-380 | 980-1380 | 2.5-4.5 | 5000 | 10-12 | 350-1500 |
4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can this replace my existing short-wave twin tubes?
A: Yes. If your current process struggles with surface burning or poor penetration (especially with water-based coatings), swapping to a FMW twin tube of the same dimensions will significantly improve your drying quality while maintaining your machine’s rapid-cycle capability.
Q: Does it require a different control system?
A: No. Because it utilizes a tungsten filament, it can be driven by the same phase-angle SCR (Thyristor) controllers you use for short-wave lamps.
Q: Why choose the 11x23mm profile?
A: The 11x23mm twin-tube profile provides massive structural stiffness compared to single tubes, preventing sag over long spans (up to 3 meters) while allowing for dual-channel wiring configurations.
