Choosing the right induction heating equipment requires consideration of many different features of the equipment and aspects of the supplier. The induction heating equipment should be long-lasting and reliable, so making the right choice is critical. These are our recommendations of how to choose a supplier and how to ensure that you make the right choice:
Applications Experience: Does the supplier have extensive experience and reputable customers in the induction heating field and in the application you are interested in?
Induction Technology: Does the Induction Heating solution provide the latest advancements in power conversion technology and digital controls to ensure the highest heating precision with a long service life? Is the induction heating technology advanced, flexible and scalable?
Power Rating: How is the power rated? Many low-cost off shore competitors rate their equipment at the input power with a specific coil. The power delivered to the heated part can be 30% lower or more depending on the technology used.
Flexibility and Load matching: Does the Induction Heating system provide an easy to use matching solution for your project? Many Induction Heating systems are factory tuned to a specific application and require extensive effort to match to different applications.
Service and Support: If your systems are shipped to different parts of the world, does the supplier have global support? Does the equipment have remote diagnostics features?
Safety: Is the equipment CE or UL certified and does it meet all safety requirements?
Engineering Support: Does the supplier have a strong engineering team available to help with custom solutions and special applications?
Equipment Origin: Is the supplier a domestic manufacturer with robust and reliable local service and technical support backed by experienced service engineers? Is it an actual manufacturer or a reseller? Many vendors in the market resell product manufactured by other companies. They may provide good initial sales support but have limited post sale service and support capabilities.
Size and Efficiency: Is the equipment compact and energy efficient?
Interfaces and Usability: If you are planning to integrate the equipment into your system or on a production line,
a. Does the equipment have the necessary interfaces to connect with PC or PLC?
b. Does it have temperature control and monitoring options?
c. What is the turn-on response time (very important if short and precise heating cycles are required)?
Coil-making Capabilities and Optional Equipment: Does the supplier offer coil-making services? Do they have advanced design tools and algorithms to optimize the induction coil design? Do they offer optional equipment such as remote control panels, flexible water-cooled leads, remote heat stations, etc.?
For OEMs and System Integrators: Does the supplier offer OEM solutions, such as modules and equipment suitable for integrating into large systems or on conveyor lines?
Cost: Does the equipment offer the best value for the money considering: price, flexibility, energy efficiency, reliability, serviceability and maintainability?
