Why the Krones Contiform Sticks With Our Infrared Heater Lamps
We’re the folks who supply the infrared heater lamps that keep Krones Contiform blow molding lines humming. And no, this isn’t just another bulb you grab off the shelf. It’s a purpose-built thermal workhorse, engineered from the ground up for the specific demands of heating PET.
Power, Voltage, and Size—Why It All Matters
The Contiform lamp runs on high voltage, usually around 400V. Here’s the payoff: that high-voltage setup drops the current for the same power level. Lower current means smaller wiring, less energy lost as heat in the wires, and less strain on your terminals. It delivers 2500W of power packed into a 300mm length. That power density isn’t by accident. It focuses the heat right where you need it—on the PET preforms—so the machine can hit its cycle targets without dragging the heating process out. And the 300mm length? That’s about making your life easier. It’s sized to match the heating module, so it drops right in. No rework. No redesigning your layout.
Inside the Lamp: The Details That Keep It Reliable
At the heart of it is a shortwave halogen infrared element, nestled inside a quartz tube. The halogen chemistry keeps the filament stable over time, which means you get consistent output—no surprises. The shortwave spectrum is chosen because PET soaks it up efficiently. So the energy turns into heat where it matters, instead of bouncing around uselessly. The tube also has a reflective coating that pushes energy forward. That means more heat goes into the preform and less gets wasted heating up the machine frame. And the connector? It’s an R7s, a tough two-pin ceramic interface. It can handle high temperatures, holds tight, and makes swapping out the lamp quick when you need to. Less downtime. More uptime.
What This Means on the Floor
On a Contiform blow molder, that lamp is constantly cycling through intense heat. Our design keeps output steady, so preform temperature stays right where it needs to be. The result? Fewer rejects and less scrap. Installation is a breath of fresh air, too. It’s a straight drop-in replacement, so your maintenance team can wire it in and get the machine back to work. Now, there is a trade-off. Packing 2500W into 300mm creates serious heat density. Your machine’s cooling and airflow have to be up to the task. If the cooling is undersized, the lamp will run hotter, and the parts around it will suffer. But match the thermal system properly, and this lamp performs exactly as intended.