Assessment of Thermal Uniformity of Heating Plates Using a Thermal Imaging Camera

This study presents an assessment of the thermal uniformity of heating plates in vulcanizing presses used for splicing conveyor belts. A malfunctioning press can result in defective splices, potentially causing interruptions in material transport and leading to significant production losses. The research involved an analysis of temperature distribution on the surface of the heating plates—two in a lab and two in industrial settings using a thermal imaging camera. The results revealed considerable non-uniformity in both the heating rate and the steady-state temperature – with temperature differences reaching up to 40 °C within a single heating plate. Such deviations may lead to uneven vulcanization and reduced quality of the resulting belt joints, highlighting the importance of regular diagnostics of the presses.