Adding an Infrared Boost Zone to a Michigan Powder Line
When a convection oven limits line speed and there is no room to make it longer, an infrared boost zone at the oven entrance can help. IR brings parts up to temperature quickly so the convection oven only has to hold them at cure. Michigan suppliers and Detroit-area manufacturers use IR boost sections to gain speed on existing lines. Double D installs IR boost zones and connects them to existing lines.
Discuss your installationHow a boost zone adds speed
In a convection oven, a lot of the dwell is spent heating the part. An IR zone shortens that heat-up, so the remaining convection length can handle a faster line. How much speed is gained depends on part shape and mass.
Finding room at the oven entrance
The boost zone sits between the booth and the convection oven. There has to be enough conveyor length for the IR section, plus clearance for maintenance.
- Conveyor length between booth and oven
- Clearance for emitter service
- Exhaust to capture fumes
- Power or gas service to the new zone
Controls tied to the conveyor
IR emitters should shut down or turn back when the conveyor stops to avoid scorching parts. Interlocks with conveyor motion and oven controls are part of the install.
Proving cure at the new speed
After installation, profiling parts at the new line speed confirms they reach and hold cure temperature. Light and heavy parts both need checking.
Planning a booth or oven project in Michigan
Crews mobilize from Houston; Michigan is roughly 1,100 miles away, so equipment, panels and tooling are staged and shipped ahead of the install crew.
Manufacturing in Michigan is concentrated around Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Flint. The sectors most likely to be specifying spray booths, blast rooms, powder systems and cure ovens there include automotive assembly and suppliers, office furniture, tool and die, and EV batteries.
Cold winters mean make-up air heaters are sized for sub-freezing intake, and booth or oven placement has to account for frost lines, snow loads on roof penetrations and winter slab work.
Frequently asked questions
How much faster can our line run with an IR boost?
It depends on part mass, shape and the existing oven. Profiling shows what is achievable.
Where does the boost zone go?
Between the booth and the convection oven entrance.
What happens if the conveyor stops?
Interlocks shut down or turn back the IR emitters so parts do not scorch.
Electric or gas IR for a boost zone?
Either can work. Utility availability and operating cost guide the choice.
Do we need to change our convection oven?
Usually not, though setpoints may be adjusted after profiling.