Fluxtrol flux concentrators (controllers) help induction heating users achieve increased productivity by focusing heating on critical areas only (via control of magnetic fields) and thus greatly reducing time to temperature. In addition, more power is transferred into the selected area of the workpiece with the same coil current. Precision heating occurs exactly where it should, improving workpiece quality, production output and process efficiency. And because our proprietary soft magnetic materials reduce energy consumption, as well as, minimize distortion thus reducing scrap, they are environmentally friendly.
Concentrator Effect
What is a Fluxtrol Concentrator?
Fluxtrol materials are soft magnetic composites made of magnetic powdered metals and dielectric binders by compacting at high pressures with subsequent thermal treatment. They are used for magnetic flux control (concentrating, shielding or modifying), essentially capturing the alternating magnetic field and re-directing or focusing it to the desired area of the workpiece (or part). These materials are characterized as having low electrical conductivity, high magnetic permeability and low magnetic losses.
Magnetic Flux Control is a generic term for modification of induction coil magnetic flux by means of installation of magnetic templates (magnetic flux controllers). Magnetic controllers may significantly change magnetic field pattern and coil parameters; their application must be considered as a part of the whole induction system design.
How Does Fluxtrol Concentrator Work?
Magnetic flux always flows around an inductor (or coil) in closed loop path. Fluxtrol soft magnetic materials provide an easier way for the magnetic field to travel than traveling in air, thus increasing field intensity or localizing the magnetic field on the electrically conductive body surface (i.e., part or workpiece) in close proximity. Fluxtrol flux concentrators strongly reduce the back-path magnetic resistance, due tothe high permeability of our soft magnetic material and concentrate the induced power in the critical area of the workpiece. When applied to an inductor (or coil), Fluxtrol flux concentrators provide increased heating in desirable zones and reduce heating in undesirable zones. Magnetic field distribution and heat patterns are controllable, process efficiencies increase, cycle times decrease and energy savings result from using Fluxtrol flux concentrators. In many cases, the application of our proprietary soft magnetic materials, make a seemingly impossible task a manageable one!
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Magnetic flux controllers play different roles they are also called concentrators, cores or shields depending on application.
Our latest soft magnetic materials feature higher temperature resistance, improved mechanical strength, excellent machinability and a broader range of capability allowing for direct replacement of lamination and ferrite’s with improved results.