Expertise

80% of all band heaters are misinterpreted.
This costs you energy every day.

Incorrect tolerances, too high a surface load, lack of adaptation to the process. Most heat tapes work — but they don't work properly. The difference: thousands of euros per year.

Ihne & Tesch Technology
April 2026
Reading time 4 mins
80%
80 %
misinterpreted
30 %
Energy loss possible
5 months
typical payback

band heaters that waste energy instead of securing processes

Most band heaters in plastics processing are running. They heat, they regulate, they don't fail immediately. But they are performing far below their potential. Uneven temperature distribution, surface temperatures that are too high, unnecessarily long heating times. Nobody notices that at first glance. But it costs — every day.

The cause is almost always the same: The band heater does not fit the process. It was not designed for this nozzle, this cylinder, this temperature. It was ordered because it fits. Not because it's right.

01
Incorrect tolerances
The heating band does not fit snugly on the cylinder. Air gaps arise and heat transfer collapses. The control compensates - with more performance and higher wear.
02
Wing load too high
The heating output is concentrated on too small an area. Local overheating, material stress, shortened service life. The result: frequent changes, unplanned downtimes.
03
No adjustment to the process
Standard band heaters for special applications. Same performance everywhere, regardless of whether it is the feed zone or the nozzle. The result: fluctuating melt quality and unstable processes.
04
Melt leakage due to lack of tightness
Conventional band heaters are not melt-tight. Material penetrates, carbonizes and destroys the heating element. Cleaning or replacement — both cost production time.

A band heater that fits doesn't just heat. It secures the process, reduces energy costs and extends service life. The difference is not in the price - but in the design.

band heaters developed for the process - not for the catalog

We have been developing and manufacturing aluminium and brass heating elements for extrusion and injection moulding for 20 years now. Not as an addition, but as a core competency. The ZAK, DAK and FAK series come from our company. They have changed the segment — away from compromise, toward heaters designed for the process, not the catalog.

These products are now in series production at leading machine manufacturers. Not in experiments, but in continuous use. In large quantities. Over many years. Without having to talk about it — because they work.

Getting there was no coincidence. It is based on 20 years of consistent investment in manufacturing and technology. Modern CNC turning centers, vertical and horizontal milling centers - the basis for precision and repeatability that you cannot see on a heating element, but are immediately noticeable in operation.

since 1932
electric heating technology
100 %
Own production
6 Locations
In 4 countries
CNC
State-of-the-art manufacturing technology

Original vs. purchased – why manufacturing is crucial

Today we are state of the art in this segment. Not as a claim, but as a result of development, vertical integration and real use in industry.

A key difference in the market lies in the value creation. Many providers appear as brands, but do not manufacture themselves, but instead buy components or complete products and combine them. This is a different business model. It works through purchasing and margin.

We're going the other way. We develop, design and manufacture in-house. This means we have direct influence on every detail and can deliver solutions that function reliably in operation.

Other providers
  • Purchase of components
  • Combination of foreign parts
  • Business model about margin
  • Images and statements copied
  • Generic standard parts
Ihne & Tesch
  • Own development
  • Own CNC production
  • Direct influence on every detail
  • Aligned with real applications
  • Proven in series operation

What is currently happening in the market is known. Images are adopted, statements are copied, products appear similar. What matters is not the appearance, but the execution. Design, manufacturing and experience cannot be copied.

Our heating elements are not generic standard parts. They are created from our own development and production, tailored to real applications in plastics processing. That's why they work where simple solutions reach their limits.

Anyone who uses the original will notice the difference in operation. More stable temperatures, fewer failures, reproducible processes. That is the benchmark.

Next step

Your band heaters correctly have it laid out

Send us your drawing or machine name. We examine the current design and show where the potential lies. No sales phrases — technical advice from the manufacturer.