Infrared Process Ovens—Instant Heat, Compact Footprint, Lower Energy Use

When your finishing line demands rapid ramp rates or targeted heat zones, GAT’s infrared (IR) process ovens deliver. From electric short‑wave boosters to full gas catalytic cure tunnels, our modular IR systems integrate seamlessly with existing conveyors or stand alone for cell‑based production.

Why Choose a GAT Infrared Oven?

Advantage	Engineering Detail	Production Payoff
Near‑Instant Heat‑Up	Elements reach setpoint in < 60 sec	Slash idle energy & increase line availability
Compact Length	50–70 % shorter than convection ovens	Fits tight floors, boosts takt without expansion
Zoned Control	Individually PID‑controlled emitter banks	Fine‑tune heat to part mass & coating thickness
Energy Efficiency	95 % radiant efficiency on catalytic models	Up to 40 % gas savings vs. convection
Clean, Silent Operation	No fans or recirc blowers on catalytic IR	Lower noise & zero cross‑contamination
Tool‑Free Access	Lift‑off panels for element change in minutes	Minimized downtime & maintenance cost

IR Oven Series & Typical Applications

Series	Heat Source	Peak Wavelength	Max Part Temp	Module Length	Ideal Uses
IR‑E‑SW	Electric quartz short‑wave	0.8–1.2 µm	650 °F	4 ft	Powder pre‑gel, metallic basecoats
IR‑E‑MW	Electric medium‑wave ceramic	2–4 µm	550 °F	6 ft	Wet‑paint flash‑off, plastic substrates
IR‑GC	Gas catalytic emitter	3–6 µm	500 °F	8 ft	Full cure of bulky steel, energy‑sensitive lines
IR‑HYB	IR boost + convection finisher	Dual	600 °F / 500 °F	12 ft	Thick‑section castings, mixed loads

PLC, Smart Controls & Safety

Auto start and shutdown

Calendar and time basis with operator acknowledgement required.

Auto pump on/off with conveyor operation

Sync conveyor movement with pump operation as well as sequential pump start to lower power in rush.

Sequenced startup and shutdown capability

Pre-program your equipment to auto-start and shut down after certain tasks have been completed.

Remote monitoring & troubleshooting

Reduce downtimes and expensive repairs with our remote monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities. This includes email fault and alarm capability.

Productivity Analysis

Productivity analysis charts show the percentage of time your conveyor has been running each day, and who was controlling the starts and stops.

Fault Log

Active fault logging and password protection to improve security and improve preventative maintenance.

Proven Performance Metrics

< 2‑minute powder flow at 375 °F on 11‑ga plate with IR‑E‑SW series.
30–40 % fuel reduction recorded after replacing 40‑ft convection cure with 16‑ft IR‑GC tunnel.
±5 °F uniformity across 60‑in. belt verified on 9‑point SAT.

Integrate With Your Finishing Line

Infrared ovens bolt directly to GAT polypropylene washers, powder coating rooms, and enclosed‑track conveyors—or retrofit into third‑party systems for efficiency upgrades.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can IR ovens replace my entire convection cure?

Often yes—gas catalytic IR achieves full crosslink on most polyesters and urethanes. Hybrid combos available for heavy steel.

Are electric IR elements expensive to run?

Because elements duty‑cycle only when parts are present, total kWh is typically lower than a continually fired convection oven.

How often do elements need replacement?

Quartz SW elements average 12,000 hrs; catalytic pads 20,000+ hrs. Both swap in < 15 min.