Patent ID: 8852492

Claim:
Heating device for a blow molding machine, comprising: a heating element for radiating heat radiation for heating of preforms; a bottom reflector being movable relative to a counter reflector arranged opposite to the heating element and being for reflection of heat radiation radiated by the heating element in the direction of the preforms; a setting device for setting a position of the bottom reflector relative to the counter reflector; and a determining device for determining a predetermined position of the bottom reflector dependent on the length of a preform to be heated by the heating device; wherein the setting device is configured for setting the position of the bottom reflector dependent on the determination of the determining device; wherein the determining device comprises at least one of a storing device in which is stored a predetermined position of the bottom reflector dependent on the length of a preform to be heated by the heating device, and/or a bottom reflector detecting device for detecting the position of the bottom reflector and/or a preform length detecting device for detecting the length of the preforms present in the heating device; and wherein at least one of the bottom reflector detecting device and/or the preform length detecting device is/are arranged at the intake of the heating device as is seen in the transport direction of the preforms, or ahead of the heating device.