PROMOTION ARTICLE ON BEHALF OF INDUCTION INNOVATIONS
Flames can be the cause of many accidents in the workshop; but what are the realistic alternatives to using a naked flame? With health and safety such a key part of workshop life, the use of inductive heating tools, such as the Mini-Ductor range, is one alternative that can provide peace of mind.
Using Oxy-Acetylene is risky Oxy-Acetylene welders have been under scrutiny for some time. The risks of fire and explosion hazards from using Oxy-Acetylene for welding, cutting are well documented by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Acetylene is an extremely flammable gas, is unstable and has a tendency to pollute by emitting toxic fumes. Gas cylinders are a convenient way to transport and store gases under pressure but there are risks, including: blast of a gas cylinder explosion or rapid release of compressed gas; impact from parts of gas cylinders or valves that fail, or any flying debris; manual handling injuries.
The use of a naked flame/torch in a confined space vastly increases the consequential fire risk – plastics, wiring, trim etc. around the part to be removed can catch fire, causing potentially costly damage. Replacing damaged wiring can be very expensive, for example, and if unnoticed could potentially put the driver at risk too.
Higher Costs
The cost of using Oxy-Acetylene is rising too. On average, insurance premiums are 10-30% higher (depending on use and insurance company) when using Oxy-Acetylene, compared to those who do not. Added to the average cost of £150 a year to rent a gas bottle, the overheads start to mount up.
Keep your employees safe with a safer reliable and efficient heating solution
A viable alternative is induction heating, which uses invisible heat created by high frequency magnetic fields to heat metal parts in seconds. Ferrous metal parts heat up very quickly, with less collateral damage, because the heat is localized on the part and not the surrounding area.
The market leading Inductor product range, from US company Induction International, is a high performance inductive heating solution, ideal for use by automotive mechanics. The range includes the user-friendly Mini-Ductor handheld unit (available in 240V, 110V and 12V battery powered versions) and the Pro-Max™ 2kw trolley or work bench mounted inverter.
These CE marked, easy-to- use tools can cope with a variety of heating needs. Different types of bendable coils can be attached to the unit to fit the problem part and these can be usefully shaped to fit into hard to reach crevices and tight spots. lncrease in operator safety and lower costs Inductive heating tools are safer, with a heavily reduced risk from fire, explosions or toxic fumes (the Inductor does not heat rubber, plastic or glass). And the tools can increase a garage & productivity by around 50% because downtime is minimized, parts can be re-used and insurance premiums are reduced if gas bottles are not used on site.
Here’s a summary:
Induction heating is a great solution; mainly because it is safe and has a reliable flameless heat, but also because it works so fast. I feel that induction heating is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional heating methods, such as blowtorches, oil baths, ovens and hot plates. These expensive methods produce smoke, fumes and oil waste, and are hazardous to personal safety and working environments.