APPLICATIONS

Innovate, Not Replicate

thermo has become one of the world’s leading pioneers in flexible heater design, performance optimization and product development.  Our company was founded by German entrepreneurial engineers at the introduction of polymer thick film technology.  No company is more dedicated to providing the most advanced, cost effective and customer focused heating solutions.

Industries Served:

Automotive
Heavy Truck Equipment
Industrial Process Equipment
Medical & Surgical Equipment
Battery Warmers
Instrumentation
Food Service
Graphic Arts
Industrial Refrigeration
Specialty Tools
Packaging Industry  
Lighting Industry
Military Equipment
Aircraft Industry
Car Wash Equipment
Surveillance Equipment
Household Appliances

Case Studies

Medical Heating Elements

A biotech company developed a new chemistry that reduced the analysis time for a particular blood test by one third. The proprietary chemistry also required an instrument to hold the blood sample at thirty-five degrees Celsius while the test was being conducted. thermo designed and built a custom Kapton^® heating element with an imbedded thermistor that was factory bonded to an anodized aluminum plate to aid in thermal stability. Electronic connectors were also included as part of the assembly to aid the customer in quick installation on his assembly line.

Appliance Heating Elements

A specialty high-end refrigerator manufacturer discovered a condensation issue after the introduction of a new line. It was critical for the success of the product launch that the problem be solved immediately. After false starts with two other heating element manufacturers who did not respond with the urgency needed, the customer brought the demanding requirements to thermo. Because the element would be partially visible - clean, unobtrusive, leading-edge aesthetics were required. In addition, the highly competitive nature of the appliance industry, made a low cost solution essential. thermo designed a polymer thick film heating element that was over 80% transparent, delivered working prototypes in ten days and completed the initial production requirements in 25 days; saving the new product introduction for the customer.

Food Equipment

A convenience store chain introduced a new point of purchase food product that needed precise and even heat to maintain product quality over its potential six-hour life. thermo recommended a polymer thick film heating element with an integrated RTD temperature sensor that provided data to the electronic temperature control. This assembly was incorporated into the bottom of the product holding cabinet.

The customer also required a complete nationwide rollout of the new product. The unparalleled manufacturing efficiency of polymer thick film, allowed the equipment manufacturer to receive all of the required heating elements quickly and to specification. This optimum combination of high performance and low cost, yielded the store chain a successful rollout and a high return on its upfront investment.

Enclosure Heating Elements

A restricted government building needed to upgrade its keycard access points to biometric verification. It was critical that the electronics for the outdoor biometric stations be protected from condensation and freezing temperatures. To minimize installation time for the contractor, thermo proposed, designed, and supplied a complete assembly consisting of a silicone heating element factory vulcanized to a combination heatsink / mounting plate, an air-sensing thermostat, and an efficient fan for heated air distribution. The contractor estimated that having thermo supply the complete assembly saved his crew 35 minutes of installation time per station.

Battery Heating Elements

Many electrical storage batteries will not deliver their full power at cold temperatures. A large manufacturer of emergency lighting systems was awarded a contract to develop a line of lights that would be installed in an unheated parking garage. If the electricity to the garage failed, then a battery back up system would turn on and power each light. The specification required that the system operate at minus forty degrees F in the event of a power failure and that the heating element withstand chemical damage from any battery leakage.

thermo designed a low watt density polymer thick film heating element utilizing its PTC (positive temperature coefficient) technology. This patented technology decreases the heater wattage output as the temperature increases, providing an additional safety factor. With a pressure sensitive adhesive backing, the heating element was easily adhered to the entire side of the battery to maximize heat transfer without case damage. The superior economic advantages of polymer thick film over more traditional battery heating elements increased the customer’s profitability and yet still met all performance requirements.

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