ENGINEERING RESOURCES

Stainless steel and its related superalloys are exceptional materials known for their resistance to rust, particularly when operating at room temperature or below. However, their resistance to oxidation diminishes when exposed to heat, although they still exhibit impressive resistance. This is why stainless steel and incoloy are preferred materials for the outer sheaths of our […]

TUTCO Heating Solutions Group found itself at the forefront of innovation when a customer, grappling with a challenge in the design of their large popcorn kettles, turned to us for a solution. The challenge lay in the intricate arrangement of multiple cast ring heaters within the kettles used in their popcorn production which, while effective, […]

There are countless articles on-line describing the two varieties of 3-phase power systems and why one is more beneficial over the other based on your application. The 3-phase systems are called 3-phase delta and 3-phase wye and this document will explain how to connect your single phase heaters to such a system, and more importantly, […]

TUTCO was approached by a customer with a unique requirement for heaters to be integrated into portable equipment designed for honey harvesting in remote areas where beekeepers manage their hives. The primary goal was to optimize the performance of the working tools used during honey harvesting. In response to this specific need, TUTCO engineered a […]

When you need to determine the wattage required to heat an application, you can delve into some nitty-gritty details when it comes to calculating that number. If you have a good temperature controller, you’re safe to overestimate that number and still be okay, resulting in a system that reaches the desired temperature without the need […]

A customer in the automotive industry sought a heating solution for their machined components manufacturing process, which involved immersing parts in four distinct tanks containing varied solutions: an etching acid solution, a neutralizing base, a chemical wash, and a mild detergent rinse. The challenge lay in finding a heater that could safely and effectively operate […]

TUTCO received an interesting request from a customer seeking a heating solution for their home brew moonshine steel kettle to optimize the distilling process. The customer required a band heater that could effectively add heat to the kettle while operating on a standard 120V wall outlet. It was crucial for the heater to be protected […]

There are normal variations in the dimensions and electrical properties of heaters we build, and it’s good to know what they are so there are no surprises. First, a few words about tolerances in general. Tolerances are deviations from nominal values, be they lengths or resistance values, in the case of our heaters, that are […]

TUTCO can provide a wide variety of heater options for many of our product lines. Some of those lesser known but very useful options are distributed wattage heaters, zoned heaters, and dual voltage heaters. They allow for better performance and better control over heaters so you can get the most out of them.  Distributed Wattage […]

TUTCO received a unique request from a customer seeking tubular heating elements for electric branding irons designed for wood and leather applications. However, the challenge was that they required these heating elements to be purchased in multiple straight lengths and subsequently formed with tight bends using hand tools. This bending process introduced the risk of […]

  Measure temperature and the use of temperature scales have played a pivotal role in human history, aiding in scientific discoveries, technological advancements, and everyday life. Over the centuries, various temperature scales have been developed, each with its unique origin and applications. In this article, we will explore four different temperature scales, Fahrenheit, Celsius, Kelvin, […]

WAPIs for the World, a non-profit company, approached us seeking cartridge heaters for their manufacturing process, which involved building a water purification capsule. This capsule consists of a specially formulated wax enclosed in a tube, designed to melt at a specific temperature, thereby purifying water by eliminating harmful substances. The end-use product is not sold […]

An automotive customer had an issue with a heater they were using in a curing oven where the application required using a liquid mist on a new material they were curing. The original oven manufacturer, who was using a TUTCO open-coil heater suggested the customer speak to us directly to see if we had a […]

by Ian Renwick –  Heating elements are a critical component in various industrial applications, and their reliable performance is essential for smooth operations. However, one common issue that can lead to premature failure of heating elements is leadwire failure. Understanding the causes of leadwire failure and implementing preventive measures can significantly extend the lifespan of […]

A company near our manufacturing facility came to TUTCO needing a solution for a tubular heater used in an aluminum extruder barrel to keep the aluminum soft enough to press and extrude but not hot enough to make the aluminum a molten liquid. This was a very high-temperature application which resulted in limitations on which […]

by Ian Renwick –  In the world of electrical engineering, power distribution systems rely on various forms of electrical power to meet different requirements: single-phase AC power, DC power, and three-phase AC power. Each type has its own characteristics and uses. Let’s explore their differences and similarities. Single-phase AC power is the most common type […]

An entrepreneur was opening a portable food service business which would be serve customers from a food truck and occasionally need to be set up at indoor events. One of their main offerings is a line of soups that needed to be prepared beforehand but needed to be kept warm in a large kettle. A […]

  An existing customer needed a new solution for heat in a custom HVAC system used in an agriculture transport trailer that required the temperature to be controlled in a certain range. The heaters would operate in a custom under floor custom air duct and would need to able to withstand an FDA approved wash […]

by Ian Renwick – Thermal Expansion is the propensity of solid matter to increase its volume when heated. This change in volume occurs in all directions of an object in length, width, and height. The amount of change is proportional to the change in temperature, the initial dimensions of the object and by material itself.Thermal expansion […]

As 3D printing have evolved, a variety of technology and techniques have been used to improve the quality of printed objects. One such technology is the use of specific heaters and sensors within the printer that play a critical role in the success of the process. TUTCO cartridge heaters, as small as 1/4” to 1/8” […]

Public transportation vehicles often have small heaters under the seats for passenger comfort. One mass transit company, that was renovating their older passenger cars, came to TUTCO needing a small lightweight heater for this application. Many of the existing heaters, which had been in place for years, had failed and the company that originally built […]

  A high-volume garment manufacturer using a large heated fabric press to mold and form accessories faced a challenge with the Mica Band heaters used in the press. Downtime was an issue as they had no spare parts heaters on hand and the company that manufactured the press, as well as the heaters, was not […]

Understanding the causes of heater failure will extend the life of your heater and ensure that it is working as efficiently as possible. There are three main culprits to be on guard for: physical abuse, application issues, and excessive temperature, any one of which can cause your heater to quickly fail.Physical abuse can easily occur […]

Follow this step-by-step process to learn how to size a heating system for your process application. Calculating the wattage requirements to heat a system is a straightforward process as long as all the possibilities of heat energy flowing in and out of the system are considered. Heat requirements that must be considered are: Initial heat […]