Stop Replacing Your SIG Blomax Lamps Every Other Week
If you’re running SIG Blomax lines, you know the frustration. You’re in the middle of a run and—pop—another IR lamp goes. It’s a pain. Usually, it’s because the lamps just can’t handle the constant shaking of the machine or the brutal jump from cold to scorching hot. Most standard lamps aren’t built for that; they usually snap at the seal or the filament just gives up. We got tired of seeing that happen, so we built a reinforced version that actually holds up.
Dealing with the Heat
Here’s the thing about PET blow molding: you need a massive burst of shortwave radiation to soften the preform instantly, but you can’t melt the neck. It’s a delicate balance. When you push high wattage through a tube, the filament gets incredibly hot. That puts a ton of stress on the quartz glass. To fix this, we useheavy-wall quartz. It keeps the tube from bowing or cracking when things get intense. It just feels more solid.
Making it Fit (and Stay Fixed)
Nobody wants to spend hours modifying a machine just to swap a bulb. We keep things simple. We use the standard R7s or SK15 connectors, so you just plug them in and get back to work. But the real magic is in the seal. That little spot where the electrodes meet the quartz? That’s where almost every lamp fails. We redesigned the pinch-seal to handle thermal expansion better. This means your lamps can take the beating of rapid on/off cycles without losing their vacuum.
A Couple of Things to Keep in Mind
Now, there’s a small trade-off. Because the quartz is thicker for durability, it changes how the infrared light passes through slightly. You might find you need to nudge your oven temperature up or down a few degrees to get your preforms exactly where you want them. It’s a quick tweak, but it makes a difference. Also, a quick heads-up:**check your cooling fans.**If your fans are clogged with dust, it doesn’t matter how tough the lamp is—the electrodes will overheat and fry anyway. Keep them clean, and these lamps will last you a long time.