Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ's

• My paint specifications say that I must have 30 minutes in a convection oven.  How much time is needed in an infrared (IR) oven?

• Typically the coating/powder cures in 1/3 to 1/4 of the time.  Therefore, your cycle time and length can be cut by that amount.

• Does the color of the paint make a difference in curing times?

• Color does not make a major difference.

• Does the part need to see infrared for example is line of sight important?

• Medium wave infrared has a convection component that helps the part cure out the coating.  As the part heats, depending on the material composition which has a conduction aspect to it, the part will fully cure.  If the parts are moving on a conveyor, line of site is  not a major concern.

• Do I need to run my oven at 100%?

• Typically, your oven is set at 70%.  If it runs at a higher rate, your oven probably needs the reflectors cleaned, elements may be burned out or you electrical panel needs to be inspected.

• Can I zone my oven to run different sizes of parts?

• Oven can be zoned to run only part of the oven to accommodate different size parts.

• How long does it take for my oven to warm up and cool down?

• Depending on the size of the oven, it should heat up and cool down is 5-15 minutes.

• How do you determine which heater to use?

• Medium wave infrared is very flexible.  We test your parts in our facility to determine if you need a ceramic generator, Coil-O-Rod type heater, ceramic panel heater or a high volume air process.

• How much does it cost to run a 4' high by 8' long 1000 W, 480 V two sided vertical oven if my electric rate is $.10/kwh?

• For a worst case scenario with the oven running at 100%, the cost is $6.40 per hour; per 8 hour day is $51.20; per 40 hour week is $256.00.
• The oven should be running at 70%, then the cost is $4.48 per hour; per 8 hour day is $35.84; per 40 hour week is $179.20.

• Can I use my oven for curing liquid coating and powder coating?

• Yes - by having the oven sized correctly to accommodate both liquid and powder and determining procedures for both coatings.