Flexing of lead wires in an application may present a tough environment for
a cartridge heater. Packaging, heat sealing and other processes that require
a cycling of a heated bar or platen will stress a heater termination. In the
Watt-Flex® cartridge heater construction, the wire is crimped into two hollow
stainless pins extending from the end of the heater. If the flexing is concentrated
at this point, the wire will fail prematurely.
One excellent way to address this problem is with the use of a Clip Support. It
is a small fixture that is added to the terminal end of the heater to simply displace
the point of flexing.
The Clip Support is TIG welded onto the heater and crimps over the insulation
of the wire. There is a teflon tube inserted under the crimp to stiffen the assembly
and reduce stress on the wire. The Clip Support can be provided in a straight or
right angle configuration with the clip over or under the wire, a feature which must
be specified.