On the blow molding floor, the heating tunnel is where your schedule and your margins get set in stone. Underheated preforms? You end up with weak stretch, a sloppy bottle finish, and line stoppages. Overheat them, and you’re dealing with crystallization, color shift, and scrap. You need heat that follows the recipe, not fights it. We build custom color PET preform infrared lamps to deliver repeatable, controlled energy exactly where it matters—straight into the preform wall. We match the emitter spectrum to how PET absorbs energy, using short-wave infrared with a tuned quartz envelope. The payoff is fast response, tight temperature control, and even heating across the preform. The specs are straight off the shop floor: standard voltages (230V/460V), R7s connectors for a quick swap, and geometry that fits OEM heating tunnels on Sidel, Krones, SIPA, Husky, SACMI, and Nissei ASB blow molders. It’s a 1:1 fit with the original mounting and alignment, so you’re not chasing hot spots or reworking reflector layouts. You get more uptime and better quality. Faster warm-up cuts changeover time. Stable output keeps stretch ratios consistent, so bottle weight and wall distribution stay within tolerance. Energy use drops because the energy goes into the preform, not the frame around it. We’ve seen units run 5,000+ hours with less than 5% output drop, which means fewer lamp replacements and the same heating profile from job to job. Installation is straightforward, but the environment matters. Keep reflectors clean and aligned, and verify voltage right at the lamp terminals. High humidity and dusty air cut transmission and can shorten lamp life, so seal the lamp ends and keep the tunnel airflow in check. If your line runs frequent color changes, spec the custom color coating. It keeps spectral control consistent across formulations, prevents drift, and keeps the heating curve repeatable.