From the garage roof to the depths of space, the handy work of hot air blowers can be found in some truly surprising places.
The manufacturing industry is definitely better off with the power of hot air blowers, particularly because the modern models are so miraculously versatile and technologically advanced. They have changed the face of manufacturing in many ways, and they’ll continue to be a mainstay in plenty of organizations for the foreseeable future.
However, you may be wondering what functions they perform exactly and what makes them so important? If you happen to be curious about whether or not your own business could benefit from heatgun, or you simply want to know more about their role in the modern industry, here are some prime examples:
1. Vacuum Forming
Products need packets, and hot air blowers are the ideal tool to make that happen via a process called vacuum forming. This is a standard process, and you’ve likely seen the results of vacuum forming many times throughout your life, possibly even every day!
It essentially consists of heating plastic to a temperature in which it can be formed and molded into a new shape, thus making the hot air blower a critical tool.
Vacuum forming is used to create all sorts of packaging, from pharmaceutical products to yogurt pots and water bottles. Honestly, vacuum-formed packing is just about everywhere on the planet.
For more insight into the process, check out this video that shows a Leister heatgun at work in vacuum forming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_I_eSQQN3E.
However, vacuum forming isn’t just limited to packaging alone. It’s also used to make parts for cars, consumer electronics, aircraft canopies, and much more.
It also serves as a greener production method because it can reduce the environmental pressure of manufacturing. In terms of packaging, it does this by effectively reducing the amount of raw material needed to enable the manufacturing process while at the same time maintaining the quality of the goods inside the package.
2. Embossing
Embossing is a classic design choice that can emanate elegance and sophistication if used correctly, and the hot air blower is a perfect instrument for getting it done. By using a hot air blower to heat the embossing powder, designs can be raised and molded on the target material.
From business cards to level belts, embossing is a popular technique, and it often requires the adjustability and precision of a hot air blower. Hot air blowers are ideal as they are gentle in the process and spread the embossing powder, yet they can still reach the heat levels necessary to melt it.
You may wonder if a hairdryer is an option for embossing. The answer is that it is not; a hairdryer will not suffice because it doesn’t have the needed heat level or precision that a hot air blower, such as a Leister hot air blower, possesses.
2. Drying
Hot air blowers often play a key part in the quality assurance side of the manufacturing process, which is seen when drying.
Many products need to be thoroughly dried before reaching the packaging stage to ensure that they’re suitable for the customer. For example, removing or paint residue from a product or a canvas, or removing solvents that may reside on the material’s surface will need a hot air blower. In many cases, drying will be the last step before the packaging process begins.
4. Deflashing Plastics
When plastic is molded, it sometimes forms a seam during the process, which has come to be known as a flash. There’s an issue with flash because it leaves an aesthetic imperfection and is a nuisance for manufacturers trying to create a perfect uniform product.
Removing flash can be tricky and time-consuming without the use of a hot air blower because the worker will have to cut the flash off manually, and the result may not be as smooth.
By utilizing a hot air blower, manufacturers can heat up the flash using a fast-flowing air stream, resulting in maximum accuracy. The flash will then be easy to shape and mold and if need be, removed entirely.
Manufacturing processes are many, and what we’ve discussed here are some of the common ones in which heatguns prove beneficial. If you’re in the market for one, check out our range of hot air blowers today. We’ll help you find the perfect heatgun to bolster your own manufacturing prowess in no time.