On the blow molding line, uneven preform heating shows up immediately: off-center walls, blown bottles, and a heating tunnel that’s always chasing setpoints instead of holding them. On Aoki machines, that IR radiator lamp bulb isn’t just any bulb—it’s a matched thermal component, engineered to the machine’s heating profile.
What matters technically
We build Aoki IR radiator lamp bulbs as short-wave infrared emitters, using a quartz envelope and a halogen filament. The result is fast-response heat, concentrated right where the preform needs it, with response times measured in seconds, not minutes. The specs are chosen to match the machine’s heating zone power budget: common voltages cover 100–240 V, wattages are matched to the original lamp rating, and the envelope is sized to the Aoki heater reflector and clamp. The connector is typically an R7s base, and the quartz tube length and arc position are held to tight tolerances so the hot zone stays aligned with the preform path. We also specify spectral output and emitting efficiency to deliver repeatable heating, not just raw heat.
Why it works on an Aoki
On an Aoki stretch blow molder, the preform only spends a short window in the heating tunnel. If lamp output drifts or the geometry is off, you get temperature swings that force you to slow the line or run with inconsistent bottle quality. These bulbs are engineered to the Aoki heating profile: they restore the original heat pattern, stabilize preform surface temperature, and cut down variability. The payoff is fewer rejects, more consistent cycle speeds, and predictable lamp life that reduces unplanned changeovers. Energy use follows the rated power, but the real gain is fewer temperature corrections.
The practical details
Installation is straightforward, but the details matter. Handle the quartz tube by the metal base only—oils and fingerprints create hot spots and shorten life. Confirm the exact wattage, voltage, envelope length, and base type against your Aoki model and heater assembly; even small mismatches shift the heat pattern. After replacement, run a temperature scan and fine-tune the zone settings, because a new lamp can move the heating curve a bit. Plan replacements during scheduled maintenance—let the heater cool, replace both lamps in a zone as a pair, and keep a log of run hours to catch trends before they turn into downtime.