In 2013, a manufacturer of custom industrial sealing equipment was in need of a supplier of rugged heaters.  The machines made by this customer see continuous use in an industrial setting.  Each machine has multiple heads requiring heating and the heating elements are considered a consumable item.  The manufacturer needed a heater that was custom designed, rugged, and priced at a reasonable cost.  Volume is low, perhaps a few hundred parts per year but they must be available on fairly short notice as they are used not only in new machines but as replacement parts on machines in the field.  TFT worked with the customer to design the part to fit their needs and to supply them within the required lead time.