F
R
E
E
F
L
E
X
®
Assures Reliable,
Efficient Heating and
Transport of Liquids
and Gases
Watlow’s miniature heated polymeric tubing assemblies
provide a flexible heat-up and transport system for moving
fluids in tubing as small as
1
⁄
32
inch (0.792 mm) inside
diameter. FREEFLEX
®
heats fluids up to 100˚C (212˚F) and
maintains temperature during transfer from a reservoir to a
point of use. In some applications, the tubing can actually
serve as the reservoir for limited volumes of fluid, helping to
reduce start-up times. For higher temperatures consult the
factory.
Watlow’s innovative design places the heating element and
sensor directly in contact with the perimeter of the tubing to
produce efficient, responsive heating and temperature control
of the tube contents. The element is evenly wound to ensure
reliable, close contact for uniform heating along a portion or
the entire length of the line. A flexible, durable jacket covers
the wound element and lets the tubing flex and move in a
dynamic system. This allows for fluid delivery to multiple
locations from a single supply source. In stationary
applications, the FREEFLEX heated tubing is conveniently
routed through available space or around other system
components. This saves space and provides for an
uncomplicated retrofit in existing systems.
The superior construction employs an efficient heating
element design with the ability to incorporate optional
thermocouple, thermistor or RTD temperature sensors into
the thermal package. Users can select leads to exit one or
both ends of the assembly. Typical standard Teflon
®
tubing
comes in
1
⁄
32
-,
1
⁄
16
-,
1
⁄
8
- or
3
⁄
16
-inch (0.792, 1.59, 3.18, 4.76 mm)
inside diameters, although other sizes and materials
are available.
Features and Benefits
Flexible heat-up and transport system
•
Eliminates the need for heated reservoir systems in
many applications
Heating element directly contacts tubing
•
Provides fast, efficient more responsive heating
Three configurations available
•
FREEFLEX design - allows tubing to flex, coil or bend
around system components
•
Pre-formed design - allows longer tube length in
smaller volume
•
Molded design - provides a compact heating assembly
for easy installation
Integral sensors
•
Maintains close control of heater and fluid temperatures
Low voltage design
•
Promotes safety
Miniature sizes as small as
1
⁄
32
inch (0.792 mm) inside
diameter
•
Transports and heats fluids in even the smallest spaces
Convenient retrofit
•
Allows for routing flexible tubing around system
components and using existing control system
UL
®
recognition
•
Available on qualified designs by request
© 2007 Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
2101 Pennsylvania Drive
Columbia, Missouri 65202 USA
Phone: +1 (573) 474-9402
FAX: +1 (573) 474-5859
Internet: www.watlow.com
e-mail: info@watlow.com
COL-FFLX-0505
Applications
•
Medical:
automated clinical analyzers, tissue processing
equipment
•
Analytical:
sample preheating for LC and HPLC systems,
breathalyzers
•
Semiconductor processing:
wafer drying equipment,
DI water heating
•
Printing:
ink jet printers, rapid prototyping systems,
photolithography
•
General Process:
wax/paraffin processing and
non-combustible gas heating
•
Water purification systems
•
Precision cleaning equipment
•
Aerospace
•
Military
Teflon
®
is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company.
UL
®
is a registered trademark of Underwriter’s Laboratories, Inc.
