Abstract
In induction heating process, coils and inductors are the core of the heating process. They are the end tool where the magnetic process affecting the part or material to be heated occurs. For more than a century, the dominant manufacturing process has been based, mainly, upon joining technologies where the coppersmith skill has been the safeguard of the quality. Use of fixtures, mandrels, and machined parts have improved the repeatability and quality of the produced elements but high volume, dimensional repeatability has always been source of problems. GH Induction continuously works on the improvement of such relatively artisanal methods to allow better lifetime, minimized production time and overall better quality. Following a first development work bringing a patented innovation in 2011 using a precision casting solution (Microfusion – Wax casting), with a solution provided a single piece coil, GH Induction has, after 2 years of development, patented a new additive manufacturing solution (3D printing concept) based on the use of Electron Beam Melting (EBM). The EBM solution benefits from the latest technology in additive manufacturing, both technologies present tremendous advantages for the designer and user. Complex shape, very small inductors can be manufactured, which are impossible to do with standard method. This presentation and article summarized the concept, manufacturing principle and technical benefits that the final users can have using such innovative solutions.
