A Better Way to Handle IR Lamps for Krones Contiforms
Let’s be honest: OEM part costs for Krones Contiform lines can be a real headache. It feels like you’re paying a premium just for the logo on the box. We decided to change that. We’ve put together a technical alternative for PET blowing IR lamps that does the exact same job as the originals, just without the brand-name markup. The heat is where it happens. To get those PET preforms ready for blowing, you need fast, precise heat. If the temperature isn’t spot on, the whole process falls apart. We’ve dialed in these lamps for high wattage and specific voltage ranges so the heat stays consistent across the entire surface. If you’re running 400V systems, you’re covered. These tubes are built to take the load without the filaments burning out early. But here’s a pro tip: pushing higher wattage means your oven’s cooling fans have to work harder. If your vents are clogged with dust, these lamps are going to run too hot and die young. Keep them clean. Built to last (and easy to swap) We use heavy-wall quartz glass because these things go through a lot of thermal shock. It’s a brutal environment. To keep things clear, we use a halogen cycle. That stops tungsten from clouding up the tube, meaning you get high IR transmission for thousands of hours. As for the installation? It’s a breeze. We use standard R7s or SK15 connectors. They’re drop-in replacements. You don’t have to mess with your wiring or modify the holders. You just pull the old one out, pop the new one in, and flip the switch. What this actually means for your day At the end of the day, this is about your cost-per-bottle. You still get that deep shortwave IR penetration needed for thick PET, but you’re paying wholesale prices. We’ve spent a lot of time on the electrical resistance and emission spectrum. Why? Because nobody wants to spend four hours recalibrating oven temperatures every time a lamp gets swapped. These fit right into your existing heating profiles. You get the heat you need, you hit your cycle times, and you can get back to actually running your plant.