Watlow^®, a designer and manufacturer of electric heaters, controllers and temperature sensors, introduces Interference Fit Construction Heaters (IFC) developed to address the photovoltaic (PV) industry’s transition to processing PV cell’s large substrates. The IFC heater helps improve yield while reducing costs in transparent conducting oxide (TCO), physical vapor deposition (PVD), lamination and other applications where large heated surfaces are required.

The IFC technology uses a prop rietary process where it inserts a tubular style heater into an undersized mill groove pattern. This process provides repeatable thermal performance while improving reliability of the entire heated plate by eliminating potential hot or cold spots.

IFC heaters can be produced in single sheets or an array of small heaters to achieve dimensions of larger than 1200 x 1400 mm (47.24 x 55.11 inches) with process heater temperatures greater than 550 ºC (1022ºF). They can also be designed with aluminum heater plates for process temperatures up to 400°C (750ºF) and with stainless steel for process temperatures up to 650°C (1200ºF). Watlow’s IFC heaters can be used in atmospheric or vacuum environments preventing outgassing and contamination.   

Watlow’s thermal engineering expertise, combined with advanced computation analysis tools, produce heater designs at reduced times and costs. These custom heater patterns reduce the effect of edge losses and increase the temperature uniformity of the entire heater.