Stop Overpaying for Your Krones Contiform Heating Lamps
Let’s be honest: OEM lamp costs can be a nightmare. When those prices spike, it feels like you’re being penalized just for keeping your line running. But you can’t just throw any old bulb in there. If the heat density is off, your blow cycle is ruined. That’s why we make shortwave halogen lamps specifically for these machines. They aren’t “similar”—they’re built to fit the exact footprint of your Krones setup.
Getting the Heat Right
Here is the thing about PET heating: it’s all about timing. These lamps hit the preforms with intense IR radiation to get them soft enough to blow, and they have to do it fast. We match the original wattage and voltage exactly. Why? Because if you go too low, you end up with under-heated bases and deformed bottles. Nobody wants to deal with a pile of scrap and a headache from the quality control team. And we know how frustrating it is when a part almost fits. A single millimeter of difference or a slightly wonky R7s or Sk15 connector means the lamp won’t seat. We keep our tolerances tight so you can just swap them out during a scheduled stop. No hacking, no modifying, no stress.
Built to Take the Heat
Rapid cycling is brutal on glass. To stop them from cracking under the thermal shock, we use heavy-wall quartz. We also add a specialized coating to some of these lamps. Instead of just scorching the surface of the plastic, the heat actually penetrates the PET wall. It’s the difference between a burnt bottle and a perfectly formed one. Now, the halogen cycle helps the filament last longer, but physics is physics. You’ll still see the light dim over time. To keep your heating profile steady, I always suggest replacing them in sets. Swapping just one bulb is like putting one new tire on a car—it just throws everything off.
Making the Switch
The actual install is easy. Pull the old tube, slide ours in, and wire it up. But here’s a pro tip: while you’re in there,**check your reflectors for carbon buildup.**It doesn’t matter how great the lamp is if your reflectors are filthy; you’re just wasting energy. Give them a clean, and you’ll see the efficiency jump immediately.