Multi-Cavity Oven Built by Precision Quincy Enhances Epoxy Product Curing for High-Volume Production

Precision Quincy designed a custom Class A industrial oven to support the high-performance epoxy production process for a client in the lab-grade sinks and countertops industry.

Featuring a multi-cavity structure and advanced airflow system, this oven ensures precise, uniform curing of epoxy resin in aluminum molds while handling volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

The manual conveyor system, paired with a robust temperature control system, optimizes throughput and maintains product quality.

Meeting stringent NFPA 86 safety standards, this oven is a critical addition to the client’s manufacturing process, enhancing efficiency and product integrity.

OVERVIEW

Built to facilitate a critical step in the customer's manufacturing process

Precision Quincy (PQ) designed, engineered, and manufactured a custom Class A industrial oven for a customer specializing in high-performance epoxy products such as sinks and countertops for laboratories.

This oven was specifically built to facilitate the partial curing of sand and epoxy resin in aluminum molds, a critical step in the customer’s manufacturing process.

Requirements

The customer required an oven capable of handling a high-volume curing process for epoxy sinks, where precision and uniformity were crucial to ensuring product integrity.

The oven needed to meet stringent safety standards, particularly for handling VOCs (volatile organic compounds) emitted during the curing process, as well as maintaining consistent temperatures for optimal product quality.

Key Specifications

Oven Type: Class A oven designed for VOCs.
Process: Partial curing of sand and epoxy resin in aluminum molds.
Temperature:
- Operating Temperature: 265°F (129°C)
- Maximum Temperature: 350°F (177°C)
- Uniformity: ±10°F (±5.6°C) across the work area.
Interior Dimensions:
- Each cavity: 36″ W x 60″ L x 36″ H
- Number of cavities: 8 (arranged in two heat zones, each with four cavities).
Exterior Dimensions:
- 442″ W x 168″ L x 165″ H.
Weight: 28,500 lbs.
Oven Capacity: Approximately 45 cubic feet of curing space, distributed across eight cavities.
VOC Loading: 1 gallon per batch.

Design Features

Multi-Cavity Structure

The oven was designed with two heat zones, each containing four cavities. This configuration allowed the customer to process multiple batches simultaneously, optimizing throughput without compromising on uniformity.

Each cavity had a dedicated vertical lift door, ensuring that the heat in each zone could be managed independently for greater control over the curing process.

Airflow and Heating System

The oven’s heating system was powered by two excess air gas burners, each capable of producing 2,000,000 BTUs. This high-capacity system enabled rapid heating and maintained precise control over the oven’s temperature.
A combination of horizontal and vertical airflow ensured uniform distribution of heat across all cavities. This setup was crucial for ensuring that each batch of epoxy products was cured evenly, reducing the risk of defects.
Supply and return ducts were constructed from aluminized steel and equipped with adjustable nozzles to balance airflow within the work area. This provided consistent temperature uniformity, which was verified during testing.

Control System

The oven was controlled by an Allen-Bradley Micro850 PLC with a 10″ HMI for ease of use. The control system also featured a ¼ DIN SSI 804 solid state digital controller, providing precise temperature control with adjustable settings in single-degree increments.
Safety features included multiple airflow switches and a manual reset flame safety system, ensuring that the oven operated safely even under challenging conditions. In addition, the control panel was built to UL 508a standards, offering reliable performance and safety compliance.

Manual Conveyor System

Each cavity was equipped with a manual conveyor system, designed with a v-groove track surface. The conveyor tracks extended 78″ outside the oven, allowing for efficient loading and unloading of molds. While carts were not included, the conveyor system was engineered to be compatible with the customer’s existing equipment.

Insulation and Construction

The oven walls were constructed with 4-inch thick mineral wool insulation, rated at 6 pounds per cubic foot. This provided excellent thermal resistance and minimized heat transfer to the outer skin, increasing the energy efficiency of the oven.
The oven also featured a 3-inch insulated floor, further reducing heat loss and ensuring that the curing environment remained consistent.

Safety & Compliance

NFPA 86 Class A Standards

The oven was designed to meet NFPA 86 Class A standards, ensuring it could safely handle VOCs emitted during the epoxy curing process.

The exhaust system featured a gravity exhaust port with an adjustable damper to effectively remove fumes and prevent buildup inside the oven.

Additionally, all electrical components were designed to comply with OSHA and IEC safety standards.

Pre-Manufacturing Testing

Prior to shipment, Precision Quincy conducted extensive testing to verify the performance of the oven:

Temperature Uniformity Testing: PQ conducted a multi-point uniformity test to ensure that air was evenly distributed throughout the oven, adjusting the supply air discharge louvers as needed.
Quality Assurance: The oven underwent a comprehensive inspection, including checks on interior and exterior finishes, paint quality, and component fit. This process also included pre-wiring and pre-testing the oven at its maximum operating temperature to ensure reliability.

Delivery and Installation

The oven was shipped partially assembled to the customer’s facility.

Precision Quincy provided detailed assembly prints, wiring schematics, and gas schematics to facilitate the installation process.

The oven was designed for easy reassembly on-site, with all major components pre-tested to reduce installation time.

The customer was responsible for utility connections, exhaust stack installation, and ensuring that the facility met the oven’s safety requirements, including non-combustible flooring and adequate ventilation.

Conclusion

Precision Quincy’s custom oven provided the customer with a highly efficient, reliable, and safe solution for curing epoxy products.

The multi-cavity design, advanced control system, and adherence to stringent safety standards ensured that the oven met the customer’s high production demands while maintaining the quality and consistency required for its epoxy sinks.

This project showcases Precision Quincy’s ability to design tailored solutions that integrate seamlessly into complex manufacturing environments.

The oven’s robust construction, precision airflow system, and advanced temperature control features make it an integral part of the customer’s production process, helping them maintain their reputation for high-quality laboratory-grade products.