Description: Induction tube welding is used for the continuous production of metallic tubes. These systems often utilize an internal magnetic flux controller (impeder) to improve process efficiency.
This impeder is typically made of ferrites, and in the welding of small tubes (less than 1.5" OD), these materials can often become saturated, leading to a significant reduction in process efficiency. This provides an opportunity for these systems, in which the ferrite impeder has become saturated, for a Soft Magnetic Composite (SMC) material to greatly improve process efficiency. Significant energy savings and increased productivity have been demonstrated both theoretically and practically when switching from the traditional ferrite impeder core to one made of an SMC.
Typical energy savings for these trials ranged from 20-50%, with additional potential benefits of increasing production speeds, better metallurgical quality and the ability to reduce the impeder size to limit the chances mechanical loss of the impeder.
Speaker Bio
Robert Goldstein, FASM is currently conducting research in the areas of computer simulation of electromagnetic and thermal physics, methods for magnetic flux control, development of new induction thermal processing technologies, optimization of current induction thermal processing applications, and development of early-phase induction systems for biomedical applications. This work has led to or is leading to significant advancements in steel heat treatment, inductive tube welding, additive manufacturing materials production and processing, creation and joining of multi-material components, materials testing and ultra-high temperature material accelerated lifetime testing for deep space exploration, and rewarming of cryopreserved biological materials. The ability to work in all of these fields is enabled by a deep understanding of control of magnetic fields and heat transfer and a proven ability to successfully work in diverse, multi-disciplinary teams to help support and drive innovation.