Induction Billet Heating Systems
General Information
Interpower builds quality induction heating machines to heat billets, bar end and bar heating to fit your exact needs in the forging industry.
Billet Heating Machines
Interpower Induction billet heaters are designed to heat any dimension of billets and slugs in materials as diverse as stainless steel, copper, aluminum, titanium and brass.
Power ranges vary from 6 kW up to several MW, at frequencies of 500 Hz – 50 kHz. All our billet heaters feature Interpower Induction power converters, which are available in IGBT transistor versions. Our billet heaters can be fitted with a range of tipper, loader, feeder, extractor and other options.
Compact and separate cabinet systems are available. In compact models, the Sinac and the heater are housed in a single cabinet. In separate versions, they are housed in two different cabinets.
Interpower Induction’s Forge-Link™ controls package is the most advanced operator interface available today. This interface allows the customer to enter billet information (diameter, length, rate, and temperature) directly at the machine HMI and from that the system runs the most efficient power distribution available. There is no need to do anything “off line”, and it is capable of automatic compensation while running.
Designed to match your billet containers, the tipper can be combined with a vibratory channel for smooth loading.
Various loaders are available to match blank sizes and planned throughput volume. The heaters can be fitted with single- or multistair hopper loaders, vertical sorting conveyors, vibratory bowl or robot arm.
Each coil is fastened to an insulating beam for stable positioning. The coils are coated, and thermally protected by casted refractory concrete.
The heated billets are immediately extracted and sorted by temperature following a temperature reading by a pyrometer. The exactor can be easily removed when processing short billets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an induction heating billet system?
An induction heating billet system is industrial equipment that uses electromagnetic induction to rapidly and uniformly heat metal billets to forging temperatures. An alternating current passes through an induction coil, generating a magnetic field that induces eddy currents directly within the billet, producing heat from the inside out. Interpower Induction designs complete induction billet heating systems including the induction power supply, coil assembly, material handling, and temperature monitoring via pyrometer.
What materials can Interpower's induction billet heating machines process?
Interpower’s induction billet heating machines are engineered to process a wide variety of metals including carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, titanium, and brass. Each system is custom-configured to match the specific material, billet dimension, throughput rate, and target temperature of your application.
How does induction billet heating compare to gas furnace heating?
Induction billet heating offers several advantages over gas furnace heating: faster heat-up times, precise temperature control via pyrometer, lower energy consumption, reduced scale formation, a smaller footprint on the shop floor, and a cleaner and safer working environment. For high-volume forging operations, induction heating billet systems also integrate more easily with automated production lines.
What billet sizes can Interpower's systems accommodate?
Interpower builds custom induction billet heating machines to accommodate a wide range of billet and slug dimensions. Whether you are processing small-diameter slugs or large-diameter billets for heavy forging, each system is designed around your exact part geometry, material, and production volume requirements. Contact Interpower directly to discuss your specific billet size and throughput needs.
How is temperature controlled in an induction heating billet system?
Interpower’s induction heating billet systems use precision pyrometers to continuously read billet surface temperature at the exit point. Based on these real-time readings, the system automatically adjusts power output to ensure each billet reaches the correct forging temperature. Billets that fall outside the target temperature range are automatically sorted and rejected before they reach the forge press.
Can induction billet heating machines be integrated into automated forging lines?
Yes. Interpower’s induction billet heating machines are designed for seamless integration with automated forging lines. Each system includes a complete material handling package covering loading, conveying through the induction coils, pyrometer-based temperature sorting, and extraction, allowing the billet heater to operate in sync with downstream forge presses, robots, or transfer systems.
Why choose Interpower Induction for a billet heating machine?
Interpower Induction specializes exclusively in induction heating equipment for the forging industry. Every induction billet heating machine we build is custom-engineered to your production requirements including billet material, size, temperature targets, cycle time, and level of automation. Our systems include advanced coil protection with casted refractory concrete, pyrometer-based temperature sorting, and complete material handling integration, backed by hands-on application engineering and after-sale support.