There are various options in selecting a press heating method depending on the type and specifications of the product or facility environment of the customer. For this reason, customers often cannot decide which heating method is best.

In order to consider these comprehensively and select the best heating method, it is necessary to know the types of heating methods and their characteristics, however, we have not had a chance to introduce them until now.

In this section, we will explain heating methods we adopt and their characteristics, so please use this explanation when selecting a machine.

Heating methods adopted in the equipment of Kitagawa Seiki are roughly classified into three types of heating by thermal oil, direct heating by electric heater and heating by steam.

In addition, heating by thermal oil is classified into two methods; heating thermal oil by boiler and heating thermal oil by electric heater.

Select a heating method using your existing facilities if your facility is equipped for a boiler or steam, or select a heating method using an electric heater if there is no such facility.

(1) Heating by thermal oil
- Heating by boiler (OS)
- Heating by electric heater (KEO, ESO)

Heating by thermal oil is a method that circulates thermal oil heated by a heater and heats the Heating plate.

This features less temperature variation of the Heating plate in comparison with other heating methods. There are ESO which heats thermal oil by a heater installed in the Heating plate, and KEO which has a heater unit outside the Heating plate and circulates the thermal oil heated there.

If the rate of temperature increase is fast or the specification temperature is high, select KEO which can change the heater capacity. It has the advantage that it does not require boiler equipment and it is easy to relocate, however, electrical usage is large.

If you have boiler equipment, consider selecting thermal oil heating by boiler (OS), but if the operating conditions cannot be met, consider selecting ESO or KEO. Additionally, all of ESO, KEO and OS are normally equipped with an oil cooler and can be cooled if there is cooling water.

This method directly heats the Heating plates without using thermal oil.

The temperature variation of the Heating plates is larger than that of the thermal oil method and the rate of temperature increase is limited, however, because this method does not use oil, Heating plates can be heated with only electricity, and it is also compatible with high temperatures.

Cooling is performed by flowing cooling water in pipes installed in the Heating plates, therefore, a thermal oil cooler is not required.

It is possible to make the scale of the entire equipment and facility compact.

Our test press machines KVHC and KVHCII use this heating method.

This method sends saturated steam into the heating plates to heat.

The feature of this method is that the temperature rises quickly and the temperature variation of the heating plate is smaller than that with heating by thermal oil and direct heating by electric heater because steam is used. The specification temperature will depend on the saturated steam.

Cooling is performed by cooling water. Valves required for heating and cooling are normally installed on the press machine side.

Drainage from press side piping and heating plates is performed by air blow or steam blow to prevent water hammer and rust. It is necessary to install independent piping because the blow pressure is high.

We have explained heating methods, however, this explanation is just an outline.

In order to determine the details, it is necessary to determine the layout of your equipment, air for control, cooling water, and also determine the control method and devices used based on the temperature conditions according to the product specifications and options required for press.

For this reason, we hold meetings with consideration given to the operating environment in order to implement the optimal design. If you have any questions, please contact us.