Technical polymerization: custom design of a high-temperature baking oven

In the production of professional tools for heavy-duty applications, industrial coating assumes a strategic role in ensuring high performance, resilience and durability. In this context, the process is based on polymer coatings, the effectiveness of which is achieved only through curing in high-temperature ovens, around 250 °C. It is at this stage that the coating particles are transformed into a continuous, compact, high-performance film.

Eurotherm has developed a customized oven designed to optimize the curing stage and improve the overall energy yield of the production line.

Polymeric liquid coatings involve a two-stage curing cycle that is complementary: polymerization or cross-linking, which provides chemical, mechanical and thermal resistance; and sintering or coalescence, to promote adhesion and continuity of the coating.

In the installation curated by Eurotherm, the continuous curing oven includes a high-temperature (250°) heating zone followed by a forced cooling zone at room temperature to allow for safe unloading of parts.

The system recovers and reuses residual thermal energy from the industrial process to reduce primary energy consumption and increase plant profitability. Finally, a filtered air inlet unit and an extractor manage air exchange in the parts cooling area.

These technical solutions are derived from Eurotherm’s experience in designing drying and curing ovens, developed to ensure thermal uniformity, energy efficiency and durability.

Inserted into an existing coating line and designed for continuous 3-shift operation, the custom baking oven was designed and installed in record time, taking advantage of the customer company’s 2-week summer production shutdown. Given the tight timeframe, a complete pre-assembly of the machine was carried out at the Eurotherm production facility, so as to expedite on-site installation procedures.