Most infrared heating, drying and cure oven systems and combination infrared/convection oven systems provide increased productivity by facilitating the ability to run faster conveyor line speeds, as well as greater part density on a production line. Shown here is an overhead conveyor infrared oven system.
There are many factors that differentiate the design and manufacture of a quality industrial hot air convection oven from a poor quality or low end system including: proper airflow, use of properly temperature rated components, proper sizing of air recirculation (to get a reasonable air velocity and number of air changes per minute) and burner components, a powered exhaust system, use of oven material and construction for energy efficiency and longevity, oven workmanship and complete solution, and detailed operation and maintenance manual documentation with preventative maintenance recommendations to name a few.
The top 10 reasons for process improvement or new processes that require some type of heating, drying or curing include: increase in productivity through increase in system line speed, significant reduction in energy costs, decrease in maintenance costs, decrease in downtime, improve product quality thereby reduce rejects and rework, reduction of labor costs, reduction in floor space requirements, new product introduction, change in business owner or management, and/or to keep up with competition.
Infrared heat processing is still more of an art today than an exact science. Experience is the key ingredient to successfully conceive and manufacture industrial heating systems to solve a specific set of customer requirements. That said, many urban myths remain concerning the use of infrared heating, drying and curing for industrial processes.
