Wisconsin Oven ships multi-zone ovens for carbon fiber cure

 

 

Wisconsin Oven (East Troy, Wis., U.S.) has announced the shipment of two of its electrically heated multi-zone curing ovens to a customer in the composites industry for the cure of carbon fiber.

One of the curing ovens has six zones, is rated for 250°C (482°F) and has work chamber dimensions of 19 feet wide by 16 feet 4 inches long by 2 feet high. The second oven has two zones and is rated for 260°C (500°F) with work chamber dimensions of 19 feet wide by 41 feet 4 inches long by 2 feet high. According to Wisconsin Oven, guaranteed temperature uniformity of ±5°C at their respective maximum temperature ratings was documented with a profile test for both ovens.

The curing ovens each feature a wire mesh rolling filter system in each zone. The filter system is plug mounted for ease of removal and maintenance and utilizes exterior crank handles at each zone that are used to advance the material as needed. Both units were also designed with Wisconsin Oven’s energy-efficient E-Pack upgrade that includes thicker wall panels.

“The heating systems are wired so if a heater fails, the oven will operate at near full heat input until downtime can be scheduled. At Wisconsin Oven, we understand the importance of minimizing downtime for maintenance and this design is intended to keep the equipment operational until it can be serviced,” says Tom Trueman, senior applications engineer.

Additional features of the curing ovens include:

• top-down air flow for optimal distribution along the product;
• personnel access doors for ease of cleaning, maintenance and service;
• wire mesh rolling filter system in each zone;
• E-Pack upgrade to improve energy efficiency; and
• OSHA-compliant ladder and railings to provide access to roof mounted blowers.

According to Wisconsin Oven, these ovens were fully factory tested and adjusted prior to shipment from the facility. All safety interlocks were checked for proper operation and the equipment was operated at the normal and maximum operating temperatures. An extensive quality assurance check list was completed to ensure the equipment met all Wisconsin Oven quality standards. This equipment is backed by Wisconsin Oven’s exclusive three-year WOW warranty (parts only).