Multi-zone MULTICELL Heaters Produce Required Thermal Gradients In Platen Application

Problem:

A manufacturer was having trouble achieving the necessary temperature tolerances to properly cure metal matrix composite parts. The platen used in the process was unable to develop the temperature gradients called for by the curing process.

Solution:

Watlow solved this problem by supplying MULTICELL heaters containing three independently controllable heat zones. These zones permitted segmenting the platen into the correct size and heat segments' for the parts. Tight temperature control was further enhanced by assigning each heater's zone to its own PID temperature control. Heating objectives were exceeded and the whole process upgraded.