There are three types of Radio Frequency Systems:

1. Perpendicular Heating ~ "Mass Heating", where the load most often consists of layers of wood veneer with intervening glue lines. ( Examples: Flat and curved plywood.)

2. Parallel Heating ~ where the load consists of side-by-side strips of wood and the wet glue lines are in contact with the electrodes. (Example: Edge gluing.)

3. Stray Field Heating ~ where the electrodes are on the same side of the glue line. (Examples: Panel-on-frame construction. RF hand gun applications.)

In Parallel Heating the load becomes a series of alternating insulators (wood) and conductors (glue). The glue lines conduct the current directly from the positive to the negative electrode. In the process, the glue lines become selectively heated while the wood remains at or near its starting temperature. Thus, this system requires less overall energy than perpendicular heating. Use the calculator below to test it for yourself. Enter the same numbers for both parallel and perpendicular heating to see an accurate comparison.

Step 1: Determine the Square Inches of Glue Line
a) Enter the number of glue lines
b) Enter the thickness (stock) of material in decimal format
c) Enter the length of the panel in inches

Step 2:
d) Enter your generators output in kilowatts:

Click the "Calculate Curing Time" button
EQUALS Curing Time in seconds 

In Perpendicular Heating the entire mass of the load is heated, and thus this system requires more power and longer cure cycles than parallel heating cure cycles.

Step 1: Enter the weight of the load

Step 2: Enter the Specific Heat of Load

Step 3: Enter the temperature increase

Step 4: Click the "Calculate BTU's button EQUALS BTU's required

Step 5: Enter your generators output in kilowatts:

Click the "Calculate Curing Time" button
EQUALS Curing Time in seconds