Gérard Duneau embarked on this adventure in 1997, with rudimentary cardboard prototypes intended for drying automobile paints. In collaboration with Ensci of Limoges, Itech System has developed ceramic radiant panels improving the energy efficiency of radiant devices. This innovation marked the beginning of a series of successes for the company.
A collaboration with the CNRS
A few years later, a partnership with the CNRS laboratory in Orléans made it possible to take a new step forward. Together, they perfected the infrared transmitter resulting in a France Europe patent, now in the public domain. Gérard Duneau underlines: “Without the very strong involvement of Philippe Odier, Patrick Echegut, Michel Chabin and Domingo De Sousa Meneses of the CNRS, the transmitter would not exist.” Shortly after, the company encountered significant difficulties in marketing this innovation to a restricted sector of infrared energy users, and suffered the consequences of a poor strategic choice decided by the shareholders. However, it managed to be reborn in 2006.
Infrared energy is used in numerous industrial applications such as drying paint, cement products, thermoforming plastics, heat treatment of food products (burning crème brûlées, browning prepared dishes). By adjusting the temperature of the emitter according to the composition of the product, Itech has improved the efficiency of treatments while reducing energy costs. The transmitter is also used by a large metal producer which, using infrared waves, carries out quality control on the sheets it manufactures.
Creating a transmitter is complex. In addition to a delicate design to implement insofar as the temperature must be adapted to the product which will react according to its composition, each stage of manufacturing must be carefully carried out. Indeed, the slightest defect, such as, for example, an incorrect tension of a few grams of the wire making up the transmitter, will result in a malfunction during testing of the finished product. The machines are adjusted and adapted in a very traditional way, surprising for a novice.
At 72 years old, Gérard Duneau, constantly in search of innovation, works tirelessly to adapt his transmitters. “ My goal is to have a range of products tailored to my customers. At first, they were the ones who adapted. Now, I try to have a standard range adapted to the tool and the customers’ production process, particularly in extreme use cases. »
Site internet : www.itechsystem.fr/
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