Technical Deep-Dive: Power, Voltage, and Dimensions
We built the AOKI preform heating bulb for one reason: it had to handle the heat demands of PET stretch blow molding, no matter if you’re running a classic Sidel SBO or a newer Matrix. None of the specs are random. We went with a 400V high-voltage design. It keeps the current stable with lower amperage, which cuts down on power loss and keeps the control gear from overheating. It’s a smart, practical choice for machines that run 24/7. The length and wattage are also dialed in to match the heating zone perfectly. That means the preform neck stays cool while the body gets exactly the energy it needs. The upshot? It’s a straight drop-in replacement. You don’t have to re-engineer the reflector or mess with the mounting hardware.
Material & Design: Coated Quartz and R7s Connectors
Inside, the heating element is shortwave infrared, packed into a high-purity quartz tube. This quartz can take the rapid heating and cooling without cracking. The real trick is the internal coating. It tunes the wavelength to match what the PET material absorbs, so the energy goes straight into the preform. No wasted heat on the air around it. The R7s connector is the anchor. It’s a solid, two-point contact that locks the tube in place and handles the high current. You wire it up once, and it stays put. This whole design is built to handle the vibration and thermal expansion of a running machine without losing contact or shifting.
Application & Benefits: Sidel-Series Compatibility and Performance
Our goal was straightforward: one lamp that works across the entire Sidel lineup. That means you don’t need to stock a bunch of different part numbers or re-qualify a new component for each machine. The lamp is spec’d to match the original thermal profile, so you get consistent heating without re-tuning the whole oven. It really is plug-and-play. But there’s a trade-off. The high heat density means the machine’s cooling system needs to be up to the task. If the ambient temperature in the heating section gets too high, the lamp runs hotter, and its life gets shorter. Keep the cooling in check, and you get repeatable output and predictable maintenance.
Reality Check: Thermal Load and Cooling Requirements
A 400V, 2500W tube packs a serious punch. It’s necessary to keep up with the cycle times on high-output lines, but it puts a real load on the machine’s cooling. If the cooling system is undersized or clogged, the lamp will run hot, and that puts stress on the quartz tube. That stress leads to premature burn-out. So, while the installation is drop-in, the performance depends on the surrounding system being in good shape. Think of the lamp as part of a thermal circuit, not just a disposable part.
Final Spec Summary
***Technology:**Shortwave Infrared ***Voltage:**400V ***Connector:**R7s ***Compatibility:**Sidel SBO, Matrix, and other preform heating lines ***Design:**Coated quartz for targeted spectral output We designed this bulb to be a reliable, no-nonsense replacement that keeps your line running without downtime.
Bottom Line
The AOKI preform heating lamp is all about compatibility and precision. It drops right into Sidel machines, from the SBO to the Matrix, without any fuss. The 400V design and coated quartz construction put the heat exactly where it needs to be, every single time. Just make sure your cooling system can keep up.