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IR BoosterMore power from your existing line — without rebuilding

IB-IR IR Booster — More power from your existing line — without rebuilding (1/2)1 / 2
IB-IR IR Booster Ansicht 1
IB-IR IR Booster Ansicht 2

Increased demand or new product requirements create capacity bottlenecks — the dryer is no longer sufficient. An IR booster solves this problem: A compact IR module installed before, after or between existing drying sections. The booster quickly brings the product to the right temperature, the existing dryer maintains it. Instead of installing a completely new drying section, the IR booster is mounted in the available space — minimal footprint, minimal downtime, maximum effect.

Technical Documentation

Brochure
Manual
STEP / Drawing

Technical Data

Max. Working Width>6,000 mm
Max. Speed>1,200 m/min
ConfigurationSW, MW (Single / Twin Tube) & Emitters
Length (Web Direction)Typically 200 – 1,000 mm
PowerCustomer-specific, typically 10 – 200 kW
Zone Division1 – 4 zones depending on width
Response Time1 – 10 seconds
ControlStandalone thyristor controller or PLC integration
MountingBolted to existing machine frame

Benefits

No rebuilding required — The booster is mounted in the available space in the line. No new foundations, no extension of the machine hall, no weeks of downtime.
Savings in time, space and energy — Faster heating through IR instead of convection. Shorter drying sections through higher power density. Fast response times eliminate standby losses.
Minimal footprint — Typically only 200–1,000 mm installation length in web direction. Fits in virtually any available space.
Independently switchable — The booster can be switched on or off as needed — depending on product, speed and coating thickness.
Easy Clean Design — As with all SOPARA IR modules: reflectors and protective glass separately accessible, cleanable and replaceable.

Reference project

IR field retrofit at leading flooring manufacturers: Existing IR fields in a vinyl flooring production line were retrofitted with SOPARA technology. The new IR modules combined with the cooling-free system design resulted in energy savings of over 30% per year — at the same line speed and product quality.

Available Options

Short-wave or medium-wave configuration — wavelength matched to the process
Single or double-sided irradiation — above and/or below the web
Swivel-mounted suspension — quick swing-away during web stoppage
Standalone control — own switchgear, independent of machine control
PLC integration — integration into existing machine control
Pyrometer — non-contact temperature measurement for closed control loop
More options on request

Applications

Speed increase of existing coating lines — the dryer is often the bottleneck, the booster solves it. Processing thicker coatings on the same line without speed reduction.

Pre-drying wet coatings directly after the coating head — fixes the layer before entering convection drying
Preheating before embossing, calendering or lamination — exact temperature at the nip
For machine builders: The IR booster as a standard option in your machine — SOPARA delivers the module ready to install including control
For plant operators: The most economical way to make an existing line faster — before investing, SOPARA tests your material in their own lab

Why SOPARA

84 years of infrared expertise — Founded 1942 in France. As one of the oldest specialty brands for industrial infrared technology, SOPARA brings over eight decades of development and manufacturing expertise to every plant.
References with European industry leaders — SOPARA IR systems are running at market leaders in automotive, composites, flooring and nuclear — powering the most demanding thermal processes at French and European top companies.
Test laboratory in Pusignan near Lyon — Your material is validated in the SOPARA infrared lab on actual substrates: wavelength, power density and process parameters. Concrete results before the investment decision — no theory, no assumptions.
System expertise — from component to turnkey plant — Not just IR lamps. SOPARA delivers complete thermal process solutions: lamps, reflectors, protective glass, IR fields, power control, switchgear and process control. One contact for the entire thermal process. Made in France, ISO 9001:2015 certified, 5 % of sales invested in R&D.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an IR booster? — A compact infrared heating module that is retrofitted into existing production lines to increase drying or heating performance at specific points — without extending or modifying the line.
When does an IR booster make sense? — When existing drying capacity is insufficient but line speed should not be reduced. Also for seasonal performance peaks or new products with higher drying requirements.
How is an IR booster installed? — The booster is mounted in the existing free space of the line — no new foundations, no extension of the machine hall. Bolted to the existing machine frame.
Does SOPARA design the booster customer-specifically? — Yes — SOPARA dimensions the IR booster according to the specific requirements: power, wavelength, installation dimensions and control integration.

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