Published 2/26/2021

Tech Table: Curing Ovens

A table of composite curing ovens composed of data provided by suppliers.

Senior Managing Editor, CompositesWorld

While autoclave cure is the established standard for effective consolidation and cure of composite parts and structures, especially for aerospace manufacturers, out-of-autoclave (OOA) processes have been steadily evolving and becoming more prevalent as fabricators seek ways to reduce composites manufacturing cycle time. In fact, it is possible now to achieve autoclave properties — e.g., <1% porosity — out of the autoclave. And as fabrication migrates out of the autoclave, several benefits follow: Elimination of autoclave capex investment, elimination of freezers for prepreg storage, reduced energy consumption and shorter cycle times. Ultimately, the OOA process validates the use of composites for an expanded spectrum of applications.

Within this sphere, composites curing ovens have followed OOA’s evolutionary path, with more flexible systems and more accurate, higher-end controls to further improve part quality. Composites curing ovens now possess a range of footprint dimensions, temperature ranges, heat sources, specialization, and, depending on the supplier, are completely customizable in an attempt to fit the needs of specific process requirements. This is the fourth in a series of Tech Tables that CW has published, each designed to provide as comprehensive a list as possible of suppliers, their products and selected product specifications.

This table of composites curing ovens has been built with data provided by suppliers, and is intended to provide a representation of the products they offer. While CW was unable to receive data from all composite curing oven suppliers, prominent companies unlisted — but which should be distinguished in this area — include Taricco Corp., JPW Industrial Ovens & Furnaces and ASC Process Systems.

Tech Table: Composite Curing Ovens
Company	Oven model	Oven dimensions (mm)	Heat source (electric, gas)	Maximum temperature °F/°C	Material and process compatibility	Additional features
Benko Products	SW6-350-66	1,800 H x 1,800 W x 1,800 D	E	350/177	Wet layup, prepregs	Digital vacuum port manifold; batch reporting; dual-loop, non-contact IR air temperature.
	SW6-500-66	1,800 H x 1,800 W x 1,800 D	G, E	500/260
	SW6-650-68	1,800 H x 1,800 W x 2,400 D	G, E	700/371
	SW8-500-78	2,400 H x 2,100 W x 2,400 D	G, E	700/371
	SW8-650-79	2,400 H x 2,100 W x 2,700 D	G, E	700/371
Despatch - ITW EAE	RAD1-42	1,170 W x 930 D x 950 H	G, E	104-649/ 40-343	Vacuum bag	119-liter chamber; aluminized steel interior; 5-year heater warranty; protocol 3 controller with data logging
	RAD2-19	1,510 W x 1,120 D x 1,960 H	G, E	104-649/ 40-343		552-liter chamber; adjustable louvers; 5-year heater warranty; protocol 3 controller with data logging; optional vacuum ports, jacks and advanced controls
	RAD2-35	1,780 W x 1,240 D x 2,085 H	G, E	104-649/ 40-343		552-liter chamber; adjustable louvers; 5-year heater warranty; protocol 3 controller with data logging; optional vacuum ports, jacks and advanced controls
	TAD2-52	2,120 W x 1,230 D x 2,410 H	G, E	104-649/ 40-343		1,490-liter chamber; aluminized steel interior; protocol 3 controller with data logging;optional vacuum ports, jacks and advanced control
	TAD3-10	2,550 W x 1,590 D x 2,590 H	E	104-649/ 40-343		1,490-liter chamber; aluminized steel interior; protocol 3 controller with data logging;optional vacuum ports, jacks and advanced control
	TAD3-21	3,210 W x 2,170 D x 2,590 H	E	104-649/ 40-343		1,490-liter chamber; aluminized steel interior; protocol 3 controller with data logging;optional vacuum ports, jacks and advanced control
	TAD3-48	4,340 W x 2,380 D x 3,300 H	E	104-649/ 40-343		13,450-liter chamber; adjustable louvers; unitized construction; F4T controller; optional vacuum ports, jacks and advanced control
	TAD3-96	4,340 W x 4,570 D x 3,300 H	E	104-649/ 40-343		13,450-liter chamber; adjustable louvers; unitized construction; F4T controller; optional vacuum ports, jacks and advanced control
Grieve Corp.	WRC446-500	2,083 L x 2,667 W x 2,210 H	G, E	500/260		Options: AMS 2750 compliance; vacuum ports; thermocouple jack panels; recorders; programmers.
	WRC566-500	2,388 L x 3,277 W x 2,210 H	G, E	500/260
	WRC787-500	3,124 L x 4,115 W x 2,515 H	G, E	500/260
	WRC8108-500	3,531 L x 4,902 W x 2,870 H	G, E	500/260
	TAH-550	1,803 L x 1,956 W x 2,464 H	G, E	500/260
	TBH-550	2,108 L x 2,261 W x 2,464 H	G, E	500/260
	SA-550	2,413 L x 1,168 W x 2,616 H	G, E	500/260
	SB-550	2,565 L x 1,168 W x 2,769 H	G, E	500/260
LEWCO, Inc.	EWT05ED-48-48-60	2,184 W x 1,524 D x 3,556 H	E	200-500/ 93-260	Any composite parts.	AMS 2750 compliant; ±10°F uniformity; multi-recipe ramp/soak programming; cascade loop control with lead-lag; 1-10°F/min ramp rates; eight vacuum ports with high-temperature quick disconnect, manual shut-off valve and pressure gauge; eight type "J" thermocouple jacks inside oven and wired to controller; one vacuum transducer located on main header and wired to controller; redundant data logging.
	EWT05ED-72-72-72	3,048 W x 2,134 D x 4,216 H	E	200-500/ 93-260
	EWT05ED-96-96-96	3,658 W x 2,743 D x 4,877 H	E	200-500/ 93-260
	EWT05ED-96-144-96	5,636 W x 3,962 D x 4,623 H	E	200-500/ 93-260
	EWT05ED-120-192-96	6,502 W x 5,182 D x 5,309 H	E	200-500/ 93-260
Wisconsin Oven Corp.	SBH Series	Min: 610 W x 610 L x 610 H ; Max: 1,219 W x 1,219 L x 1,219 H	E	1,000/538	Any prepreg in molds under vacuum; post-cure of composite materials; mandrel-wound parts.	Vacuum systems, pumps, transducers, other accessories; WOC Premium advanced data acquisition and control system; rotators for mandrel-wound parts.
	EWN Series	Min: 1,219 W x 1,219 L x 1,219 H; Max: 3,048 W x 4,877 L x 2,438 H	G, E	1,000/538
	SWH Series	Min: 1,219 W x 1,829 L x 1,829 H; Max: 3,048 W x 7,620 L x 2,743 H	G, E	1,000/538
	UWH Series	Min: 2,438 W x 7,315 L x 2,438 H; Max: 4,877 W x 13,716 L x 4,877 H	G, E	1,000/538
	Custom Batch Ovens	Unlimited	G, E	1,000/538