Thermal validation system SOPARA THERM-IQ™

automatedthermocouple

Summary
THERM-IQ™ is a SOPARA method combining thermal audit, laboratory testing, simulation and consulting to secure industrial decisions for thermal processes. The method integrates training, analysis, tests and validation to design adapted solutions, reduce uncertainties and guarantee reliable in‑service performance.

Expertise

• Thermal expertise: treatment of complex and critical materials; 80 years cumulative expertise with documented measured tests; multi-technology mastery to enable objective trade-offs.
• Aeraulic expertise: control of complex airflow in industrial environments; design of extraction and oven ventilation flows; management of critical atmospheres (solvents, fumes, sensitive atmospheres).
• Automation: intelligent PLCs controlling the thermal process; real-time regulation and integrated control; high‑precision multi‑zone management.

THERM-IQ™ method (main phases)

• 01 — Audit: understand the process to secure technical decisions; in-depth analysis of processes, materials, constraints and objectives; functional diagrams, technical hypotheses, calculations and identification of key parameters; agnostic approach to objectively compare options.
• 02 — Testing: perform rigorous comparative tests before any recommendation; tests under conditions close to industrial reality with programmed heating profiles, calibrated non-contact pyrometry and reproducible curves; full report with factual data and analysis.
• 03 — System design: develop a complete optimized thermal architecture validated prior to fabrication; coordination between thermal engineers, mechanical design office and automation experts; consideration of radiant volumetry, aeraulic management, multi‑zone control, conveying and maintenance.
• 04 — Production ramp-up: assembly and testing under operational conditions in workshops according to ISO 9001 standards; client validation on site; specific transport and packaging; on-site commissioning by a SOPARA engineer.
• 05 — Training: competency transfer (theory and practice) for your teams, certification of local technicians; Qualiopi-certified training, limited group size (e.g. 5 participants) focused on your materials and processes.

Benefits

• Documented multi-technology comparative tests.
• Reduced industrial risks.
• Agnostic audit and triple mastery (thermal, aeraulic, automation) for overall process performance.
• Architecture validated before fabrication and ISO 9001 tested for durable industrial reliability.
• Design for maintainability and safety; autonomy and sustained performance.

Customer cases (application examples)
Client case 1 — Carpet and acoustic parts manufacturer (automotive)

• Context: thermocompression lines equipped with low-end infrared emitters causing slow response, high consumption and premature ageing.
• Issue: thick, poorly conductive materials previously treated in bulky hot-air ovens; critical failure causing site paralysis.
• Applied steps: theoretical training + lab tests on customer samples; double-sided heating tests and precise regulation; replacement with high-performance SOPARA emitters + multi‑zone control cabinets; standardization of panels, cabinets and pyrometers for cross-site transfer.
• Reported impact: -50% energy per part; zero scrap due to heating; +10% productivity on the entire line.

Client case 2 — European PVC flooring manufacturer

• Context: development of flooring with a foamed PVC layer (clear, translucent and poorly conductive).
• Issue: gelation of foamed PVC in seconds on a line >20 m/min in a constrained space; performance unattainable with conventional thermal technologies.
• Applied steps: identification of short-wave infrared as the adapted solution; five test sessions comparing mid and short IR (measurements, thermocouples, smoke observations); pilot oven reproducing validated technologies; final installation combining short and mid IR integrated on the existing line.
• Reported impact: complete treatment in 6 seconds at 20 m/min; 70% energy efficiency (vs ~20% for hot-air ovens); patented product and simultaneous product/process innovation.

Training

• Qualiopi-certified courses since 2015, tailored to your materials and processes; competency transfer for R&D, methods, design offices and production managers.
• Format: small-group sessions (e.g. 5 participants) at SOPARA facilities, combining theory and practical tests in the laboratory with your samples.
• Objective: enable understanding of phenomena, evaluate and decide with knowledge; practical training directly applicable to your processes.

Installation follow-up and maintenance

• Maintenance and continuity: on-site buffer stock of critical components sized according to risk analysis and MTBF; structured 3-level protocol (certified local technician – remote support – SOPARA intervention) to reduce downtime.
• Annual performance audit: infrared thermography, electrical checks, energy performance analysis and detailed report with optimization recommendations.
• Monitoring and predictive maintenance: SOPARA ThermalCore™ for real-time control (multi‑zone regulation, dynamic adaptation) and SOPARA Central™ for process data capture, drift detection and continuous optimization.

Frequently asked questions (extracts)

• Tests at SOPARA can be performed without subsequent obligation: independent service with full report delivered to the client.
• Project duration: varies with complexity; tests can be scheduled within a week; design and fabrication of a complete installation require several months with validation milestones; highly innovative projects may take longer.
• Intervention capacity for critical failures: 3-level protocol and buffer stock to limit supply delays; local support and escalation of expertise as needed.
• Retrofit possible: SOPARA works on existing lines and new projects; replacing ageing thermal installations often improves performance and reduces footprint.
• Technologies: broad thermal expertise (short/mid/long infrared, hot air, conduction); recommendations favor the best solution for the process, not a single manufactured technology.
• Monitoring: continuous collection of parameters (temperatures, powers, speeds) and dashboards to drive in‑line control and detect drifts.

Characteristics / technical specifications

• Method: SOPARA THERM-IQ™ (audit, testing, system design, production ramp-up, training, follow-up).
• Included services: in‑depth audit, comparative lab tests, multi‑zone thermal architecture design, ISO 9001 fabrication and tests, on‑site commissioning, Qualiopi training, predictive maintenance and monitoring.
• Mastered technologies: infrared (short, mid, long), industrial ovens & tunnels, RadiantLine™ emitters, ThermalCore™ cabinets, multi‑zone regulation, integrated automation.
• Certifications / standards: assembly and testing to ISO 9001; training organization certified Qualiopi.
• Experience: 80 years cumulative expertise, nearly 10,000 tests on real industrial materials and processes.
• Deliverables: documented test reports, reproducible heating profiles, calibrated pyrometry, standardized setup sheets for cross‑site transfer.
• Maintenance & continuity: 3-level protocol (certified local technician, remote support, SOPARA intervention); buffer stock of critical components; annual performance audits.
• Monitoring & data: SOPARA Central™ for continuous process parameter collection, dashboards and drift detection for predictive maintenance.