Inserting a Steel Bushing to an Aluminum Hub

Objective

To heat an aluminum hub to enable the insertion of a steel bushing for a shrink fitting application

End Product

wheel hub

Equipment

Ambrell EKOHEAT 30 kW, 50-150 kHz induction heating system equipped with a remote workhead containing eight 1.0 μF capacitors

Materials

Aluminum hub & Steel bushing

Temperature

300 ºF (149 ºC)

Frequency

121 kHz

Testing

The part was painted with temperature indicating paint that would melt to a clear color once it achieved the targeted temperature. The aluminum hub was then placed into the coil and the power was turned on.

After 60 seconds the temperature indicating paint had melted and the part had reached the targeted shrink fitting temperature.

Benefits

• Speed: The client currently uses an electric oven and the heating time is two hours, so the time savings with induction is very significant.

• Energy efficiency: Induction is fast and it’s instant on/off, presenting significant energy savings over an electric oven

• Footprint: Induction requires a more modest footprint than an electric oven requires

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