IR system improves hoods

A 42kW fast response medium-wave IR system was installed at Bentley's plant, with 14 independent zones to ensure accurate and reliable control.

By installing a fast response, medium-wave infra-red system from Heraeus Noblelight at their Crewe factory, Bentley Motors are ensuring that the hoods of its new Continental GTC convertible models are both free of creases and pre-aged to provide resist weathering.

The hood is fitted on the new production line at Crewe and has been designed to allow fast deployment at driving speeds of up to 32km/h.

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 80C 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 fade when exposed to sunlight.

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.

A 42kW fast response medium-wave system was installed and this features 14 independent zones to ensure accurate and reliable control.

Thirty-six 1kW emitters form the top section of the system and these are split into 12 controllable zones.

There are three fast-response emitters in each of the side zones and these, too, offer full PID control.

All emitters are fitted with gold reflectors to ensure maximum efficiency.

In operation, the cars are conveyed into the heating section at normal line speed where the emitters rapidly raise the hood's temperature to 80C and then hold it at this temperature for around six minutes.

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.

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