We use steel belts in various processes, from paper to food production and from the chemical to the semiconductor industry. Often precise temperature conditions of the belt are required in the process. Induction heating is an attractive technology due to its high achievable power densities, small build size, and high energy efficiency. However, thin process belts are prone to thermo-mechanical buckling when heated. The mechanical deformation impacts the magnetic field and, consequently, temperature distribution. We will develop a modeling strategy for the electromagnetic-thermal-mechanical problem allowing the fully coupled analysis of the involved physical fields. Based on the finite element method, this will enable state-of-the-art design and analysis of induction heating processes for thin, moving steel belts.
