Product category:
Inspection and testing (non-metrology)
News Release from: Heraeus Noblelight, I-R Division | Subject: Medium wave infra-red system from
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 30 October 2007
Infra-red system checks bonnets for
creases
A fast response, medium wave infra-red system is checking that the bonnets of luxury convertible cars are free of creases and successfully pre-aged for better weatherability.
A fast response, medium wave infra-red system from Heraeus Noblelight is ensuring that the hoods of the latest Bentley Continental GTC convertible luxury cars are both free of creases and pre-aged to provide better weatherability Installed at the Crewe, UK factory of Bentley Motors, a 42kW fast response medium wave system features 14 independent zones to ensure accurate and reliable control
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 13 Sep 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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In operation, the cars are conveyed into the heating section at normal line speed where the emitters rapidly raise the hood's temperature to 80 deg C and then hold it at this temperature for around 6 min.
The temperature profile within the heating section was established during the system's on-site commissioning.
Since installation, the Heraeus system has performed perfectly to specification to remove any fabric creases from the hood.
As Andy Maddock, production engineer at Bentley, commented in a report to Manufacturingtalk, "We have found the infra-red system clean, reliable and easy to operate and control.
Moreover, compared with alternative technologies, it saves energy and space".
* About the Bentley Continental GTC - the Bentley Continental GTC is the latest addition to the company's GT range and is hailed as the fastest 2+2 convertible in the world, with a performance of 0-60mph in less than 5s.
It has been engineered from the start as a convertible and is not an adapted saloon.
As such, every component has been crafted for purpose and this includes the hood.
This is fitted on the new production line at Crewe and has been designed to allow fast deployment at driving speeds of up to 20 miles/h.
Bentley said that it is essential that every Continental GTC looks in mint condition when it is delivered to the showroom or to a customer and an important stage of the finishing process is the decreasing and aging of the GTC's roof canopy.
This is made from a high quality fabric, whose manufacturers recommend that it baked at around 80 deg C for some minutes when fitted.
This process is carried out to remove any creases which may have developed during fitting and also to 'pre-age' the fabric so that it does not suffer from fade when exposed to sunlight.
Naturally, it is important that any heating is not detrimental to any other part of the car bodywork and that it is carried out in a time which fits in with required production line speeds.
Having already proved the technology at a sister company in Germany, Bentley elected to use infra-red for this very important task and contacted Heraeus Noblelight.
Heraeus Noblelight offers the complete range of infra-red radiation systems from NIR to medium wave carbon infra-red (CIR).
Heraeus told Manufacturingtalk that it has over 40 years experience in infra-red technology and offers the expertise, products and systems to provide efficient and effective solutions to drying, heating and curing problems throughout industry.
If required, it can carry out proving trials with customers' own materials at its Neston Applications Centre and can advise on the selection of the optimum emitter to suit particular processes.
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