Induction Heating

Induction heating processes are commonly used to harden, anneal and bond metals. Induction processes are attractive because they include the following advantages:

* Induction heating is clean – no contaminants are introduced and parts can be contained in vacuum or inert gas chambers.
* Induction heating is highly consistent and controllable, so is ideal for automation.
*Induction heating is versatile – it can be adapted to suit a wide range of metals and processes.

Best Solution’s expertise includes the use of 2 or 3-dimensional finite element methods to model induction heating. Magnetic, thermal and stress effects are accurately represented in a full simulation of the process and together with our customers, we can develop optimised induction heating parameters. The methods we use can be used to address important unknowns for many customers using induction heating, including answers to the following questions:

Assessment of component design – how does the geometry of the component behave when subjected to an induction heating process?
How suitable is the heat distribution – is power being absorbed in the right places, and how could the process or the component be changed to improve matters?
What is the cycle time and power efficiency of the process?
How can cycle time be reduced cost-effectively?
What coil geometries are feasible – can a good compromise be achieved between ideal power distribution and other considerations?Best Solution can show full animations of the induction heating cycle, with graphical output including temperature rise vs time, cooling rates and component power density. Our models are parametric where possible, and this gives us the flexibility to run multiple scenarios and optimise with minimum effort.

“Best Solution can support engineers engaged in their own development programmes. We can provide advice and guidance on simulation technique, or more specific coaching on design methods for electromagnetic devices, materials, test and measurement.”

Share on social media

Discuss a Project

We enjoy helping our customers with an increasingly broad spectrum of modelling tasks. These continue to present new challenges, and have helped us to build an experienced team and a powerful set of simulation techniques.

Explore more projects by capability...

High Speed Electric Motors

Both electromagnetic and mechanical finite element modelling are powerful tools for designers of electric machines. For high-speed applications, some examples of the areas where Best

Permanent Magnets

Many permanent magnet materials exist today, with the most common being ceramic or ferrite materials, where reasonable performance at very low cost is required. Other

Magnetic Sensors

Best Solution has assisted in the development of a variety of sensors employing magnetic effects of one sort or another. These include: Flux gate magnetometers

High Field Hybrid Magnet

Best Solution’s customer, Oxford Instruments are world leaders in the design and manufacture of special superconducting magnets. Best Solution were able to provide modelling support

Magnetic Linkages

Magnetic linkages are often designed into equipment where it is desirable to separate different sections of the same mechanism. This could be required for a

Rotating Machines

Our finite element based techniques can provide invaluable support to designers of rotating machines, including the following tasks: Flux plots showing leakage, saturation and local

Transformers

Best Solution has a wealth of experience in the computer-aided engineering of inductors, transformers and other wound components. Using finite element based tools, we can

AMS2 Physics Experiment

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) is the second such particle physics experiment to be launched into space and will include the first large superconducting magnet

Magnetic and Electric Field Shielding

Magnetic shield and screen design can be a challenging area. Magnetic shields are made from soft magnetic materials i.e. those with very high permeability. Shield

Eddy Current Brakes

Best Solution can make accurate performance predictions for those designing or developing eddy current brakes. The mechanical design methods we use are largely finite element

Pump Couplings

Magnetic rotary couplings are often used by pump manufacturers to isolate a motor from the pump components. The isolation of these components might be desirable

Magnetic Resonance Imaging – MRI

In MRI scanners, the requirements for high field homogeneity and low leakage field are severe and conflicting, since the large mass of soft magnetic material

Variable Reluctance Resolvers and Brushless Resolvers

Best Solution can provide bespoke designs for resolvers including variable reluctance resolvers, for specific customer requirements. We have produced designs for customers including 2 pole

Thermal Imaging Actuator

Our mechanical design services enabled Best Solution to design a high-performance scanning actuator for a military thermal imaging application. The actuator was capable of very

Actuators

Best Solution has experience in the design and modelling of a wide range of electromagnetic actuators including linear actuators, torque motors, optical scanning motors, a.c.

Gravity Gradiometer

Exceptionally sensitive accelerometer type instruments can be used to detect tiny variations in the Earth’s gravitational field. These measurements can be interpreted in terms of

Magnetising Fixtures

In order to magnetise modern rare-earth magnets, large magnetic fields are required. The fields required are large enough to present some significant challenges to the

Beamline Bending Magnet

The design of charged-particle beamlines requires close collaboration between beamline physicists, magnet designers and mechanical designers. Best Solution has been a key part of such

Magnetism in Surgery

Best Solution supported Oxford instruments in the development of a magnetic system designed for a pioneering surgical technique. The system would potentially allow surgeons to

MRI Magnetic Shielding

Best Solution has assisted manufacturers of MRI scanner magnets using magneto-static finite element models. The models typically include the large superconducting magnet of the scanner