Heat processing tools are used for countless applications in the modern workplace, often performing vital functions throughout the manufacturing and quality control processes.
The heat gun can be a real-time money saver from plastic and metal welding to shrink wrapping and paint stripping.
Since they come in many varieties, it’s worth thinking about how they function in the first place, as this can help you choose the right tool for the job.
Whether you want to upgrade your toolkit or are just interested in this indispensable tool’s practicalities, here’s what goes on within the tool.
The Basics of Heat Processing Tools
At the basic level, heat processing tools are primarily used to – you guessed it – heat up materials to make them easier to manipulate.
This usually softens or hardens the target material, rendering it easier to work with. For example, say you wanted to combine two pieces of plastic together to form a joint; using a heat gun to soften the plastic can enable you to mold the separate pieces together.
The created bond is extremely durable, and with the use of heat, it’s a good way to make the most out of your materials. When you have individual materials that would benefit from joining, heat is the most cost-effective option.
Inside Heat Processing Tools
Many modern heat guns work by electrically heating an element inside the tool, creating the hot air that a fan propels outwards through a nozzle, similar to how a hairdryer works.
Unlike a hairdryer, however, the heat is far more intense and concentrated. The tool’s components are purpose-built to operate at a very high temperature, often needed for various manufacturing jobs.
Options
Heat processing tools operate at various temperatures depending on the make and model.
In industries like roofing and flooring, you’ll probably come across automatic heat processing tools that can be programmed to take on longer jobs without the need for human interaction. These tools can be programmed to operate at a set temperature for a certain length of time.
While this can be a huge time saver for large welding jobs, a handheld tool is ideal for increased manual control, which may be especially handy for smaller-scale jobs and tricky joint welds.
Process Heat in Action
Watch how the LEISTER heat processing tool shrinks packing and creates forming.
The Science behind Process Heating
Heat processing tools alter the microstructure of a material, resulting in the molecules changing properties and altering how they interact with each other.
The way the material behaves depends on its molecular structure and atomical properties. Generally, though, the heated particles gain energy and begin to break apart, which is where the melting part occurs.
When the material cools, the particles bond together once more, forming a new shape.
The most basic heat guns come with only a few heat settings, while the more advanced ones can offer extreme precision and exact temperatures across a broad spectrum. Every tool has its place; it’s just about making the right choice for your particular needs.
That said, heat processing tools are incredibly versatile, so even the more basic handheld varieties are welcome editions to the toolbox or the factory floor. To get some deeper insight, take a look at our great range of heat processing tools
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