The Top 5 Tips When Sourcing a New Powder Coating Oven

Choosing the right oven for powder coating can make a big difference in your productivity and finish quality. Gas catalytic infrared ovens offer significant advantages over convection ovens. They offer efficient energy use and quick curing times. Here are the top 5 tips to keep in mind when selecting the best oven for your powder coating needs:

1. Prioritize Energy Efficiency
   Gas Catalytic Infrared Ovens are highly energy-efficient, as they heat the object directly instead of the air. This leads to faster curing times (up to 66% quicker) and lower energy consumption, helping you save up to 50% energy cost over Convection Ovens.
2. Ensure Even Heat Distribution
   Consistent, even heat is crucial for a smooth, professional powder-coated finish. Gas Catalytic Infrared ovens provide excellent heat coverage, ensuring uniform curing across your workpieces and minimizing defects.
3. Look for Quick Heat-Up Time
   Time is critical in powder coating. Gas Catalytic Infrared Ovens heat up rapidly (15 minutes from cold), allowing you to start coating quickly and increase throughput. Faster heat-up times mean less waiting and more productivity.
4. Choose Adjustable & Programmable Temperature Control
   Different coatings and materials require varying temperatures for optimal curing. Select an oven with precise, adjustable temperature controls to handle a wide range of coatings and ensure the best results every time. The ability to create and store many programs for many parts should be possible, with rapid changeover of program.
5. Consider Long-Term Cost Savings
   While Gas Catalytic Infrared Ovens may have a higher initial cost, they are cost-effective over time. The energy savings, reduced curing times, and lower maintenance costs make them a solid investment in the long run. Don’t forget that improved quality, means less re-work, which means more production.

Bonus Tip!

Gas Catalytic Infrared Ovens can be used as a Pre-Gel Oven in front of a convection oven!

By focusing on these tips, you can make a smart decision when selecting a Gas Catalytic Infrared oven, over a convection oven. Boosting efficiency, quality and reducing the running cost of your powder coating operations.

Compass Powder Coating in Middletown, Connecticut has recently installed a WolfRayet Gas Catalytic Infra Red powder coating oven. It has revolutionized their business. They can now powder coat MDF as well as metal substrates. It has turned out to be a real game-changer for the company.

The system is featured in the December 2023 edition of Finishing and Coating magazine. You can read the full article here.

The article is entitled "Compass Headed In The Right Direction" and is written by Tim Pennington, Editor In Chief, Finishing and Coating.

Mike Chapman, Chief Technical and Strategy Officer for WolfRayet, formerly of Vulcan Catalytic Systems, was the key designer of the powder coating system used by Troy Greenberg, owner of Greenberg Casework. Woodworking Networking Magazine has published an extensive article, explaining the processes used in powder coating MDF. This system has proved to be a 'game changer' for Troy. Read the full article here.

Watch on YouTube

Mike Chapman from WolfRayet spoke with FinishingAndCoating.com’s Editor-in-Chief Tim Pennington, about the new company’s product lines for the heat-sensitive substrate market.

WolfRayet launched in 2022 to design and manufacture gas catalytic IR ovens and pre-gel ovens for the metal powder coating industry, as well as entire powder coating systems for MDF and heat-sensitive substrates.

“Over the years, the powder suppliers have become very creative in developing some of these really super-low bake powders,” Chapman says. “We’re down in the 240 to 265 degrees range now, so that means we have to have a part in the oven for approximately six minutes to get the full cure.”

WolfRayet set up demonstration lines at their Texas facility to showcase the various levels of systems, including the Galaxy 6, 8, and 10 systems designed for medium to large-scale operations. Each system can be customized at the initial design stage. The Galaxy Lyte is an easy-to-use small-scale system. Suited for low-volume coaters to achieve a high-quality coating finish.

“The only way that we can really show how it works is we decided we had to put production lines in a building here in Gainesville, Texas,” he says. “The Galaxy Ultra Light, which is really an entry-level for less than $100,000, where a coater can get into the business of kitchen cabinets and such.

Chapman says the gas catalytic IR technology, together with PLC systems, gives total process control.

“Altogether, it is an exciting new high-tech, low-operating cost solution,” he says. “Our complete systems deliver a perfect cost-effective cure for all powder coaters.”

Visit https://wolfrayet.com

Read the full article at the Finishing and Coating website

Gainesville, TX

WolfRayet, a new company that designs and manufactures Gas Catalytic IR powder coating ovens and offers entire powder coating systems for MDF and heat sensitive substrates, has launched.

WolfRayet offers Gas Catalytic Infrared ovens for powder coating, MDF and other heat sensitive substrates. The WolfRayet Galaxy product range includes: 

• The Galaxy 6, 8 and 10 systems which are designed for medium to large scale operations. Each system can be customized at the initial design stage. 
• The Galaxy Lyte which is an easy-to-use small-scale system. Suited for low-volume coaters to achieve a high-quality coating finish. The Galaxy Lyte is designed for cabinet shops and existing custom metal powder coaters, allowing for powder coating of both wood and MDF as well as metal parts.
• The Galaxy Ultra Lyte which is the smallest system available for those looking to powder coat one Kitchen Set of MDF doors and draw fronts on a daily basis. 
• Pre-Gel or Booster ovens prior to Convection ovens.
• The complete Galaxy range comes with innovative space saving overhead conveyor systems.

Mike Chapman, WolfRayet Chief Technical and Strategy Officer explains:

“At WolfRayet our mission is to apply the latest design and technology to manufacturing. Working with application partners we can deliver complete systems. Every system can be used to powder coat MDF and other heat sensitive substrates.

Explaining the oven technology, Chapman continues:

“We believe that our Gas Catalytic IR technology, together with PLC systems, gives total process control. Altogether it is an exciting new high tech, low operating cost solution. Our complete systems deliver a perfect cost-effective cure, for all powder coaters.”

Many will know Mike Chapman as the founder of Vulcan Catalytic Systems which is now owned by Heraeus. WolfRayet is pleased to have Mike leading the development and implementation of this exciting industry sector.  He has been the industry leader in the powder coating of MDF that utilized his gas catalytic IR development over the past 35 years.

Wolfrayet will showcase all three of the Galaxy lines in November at their Gainesville facility .  Customers will be able to coat their wood based products on the line that best suits their production requirements.

WolfRayet is headquartered in Gainesville Texas.

For more information contact: Fiona Levin-Smith

Tel: 520.345.7513

flevin@wolfrayet.com

WolfRayet will be at IWF 2022 Booth BC 1013 to showcase the innovative new Galaxy Series gas catalytic IR ovens designed specifically for powder coating wood and MDF.

As well as oven technology, complete powder coating application systems designed to maximize while minimizing operational footprint will be also showcased. Demonstrations broadcast from the WolfRayet application lab will be available at 2 p.m. daily.

Mike Chapman, WolfRayet CEO explains, “We are incredibly excited to showcase the WolfRayet product at IWF. Gas Catalytic IR technology is a high tech, low operating cost solution and delivers a perfect cure for wood and MDF. We’ve worked hard to deliver the perfect heat profile for wood and MDF parts, and by working with application partners we can also offer powder application, curing and overhead conveyors. Coaters and OEMS alike are amazed at the small operational footprint, low operating cost and ease with which this system delivers entry into a new market. It’s really exciting stuff.”

The WolfRayet product range includes the Galaxy Series with the Galaxy 6, 8 and 10 products designed for medium to large scale operations (they are completely customizable at the initial design stage) as well as Galaxy Lyte, an easy to use, entry level oven which allows low volume coaters to achieve a high quality coating finish. IWF attendees will be able to see a variety of system options and discuss suitability with the knowledgeable WolfRayet team.

Visit Booth BC 1013 to learn more about WolfRayet oven and applications systems for heat
sensitive substrates.