Pros and Cons of Drying Ovens

The vast majority of people remain unaware of the processes that go into creating their everyday products, yet almost each item you use will go through a range of intense testing and developing period to ensure you’re getting the highest quality, safest and most durable, product they can create. One of these manufacturing tools is the industrial drying oven, which is used to test, sterilise and heat – among other things. Whilst these are a relatively unknow method for the everyday person, if you want to learn more about how your favourite items are created, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we discuss the benefits and drawbacks of lab ovens, what industries they are used in and why.

What are drying ovens?

To develop and produce a range of everyday (and less common) items, extreme heat is often needed to test, cure, harden or mold the products – this is where lab ovens come in. With a huge range of applications and sizes available, they are a must for almost every industry. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t come with their own downfalls.

PROS

• Incredibly versatile

With heat technology, industries can undertake a wide range of tasks and tests to create a durable product. This can include sterilisation, powder coating, drying components, hardening fibre-reinforced items, heating resin – different oven styles can heat between 60 and 600 degrees Celsius!

• Many Options Available

Drying oven can benefit a wide range of industries, so it only makes sense that there is a huge variety of specialised ovens available. This includes explosion proof ovens (common in the aerospace industries), continuous systems which move the product on a conveyor belt, vacuum drying options which remove the humidity from the air (drying at up to six times the speed of a standard lab oven, and a number of other systems as well!

• Range of Sizes

With a huge range of process comes a wide variety of sizes – each option will be slightly bigger or smaller than the last. Depending on the size of the facility, the drying oven can range from a walk-in chamber to a benchtop model. The needs and outcomes desired will determine the size.

CONS

• Ongoing Maintenance

To ensure their ongoing function and safety for the users, it must be repaired and inspected by professionals on a regular basis – we recommend at least once a year. Not only that, reside can quickly build up within the processing chamber and air ducts, and should be cleaned at least once a week. Otherwise, issues within the heat supply may arise.

• Inadequate heat

Unfortunately, if your drying oven isn’t producing enough heat, then you won’t be able to achieve the results you’re hoping for. This can be caused by a number of issues, and may require a repair in the ductwork or mechanical systems. We suggest seeking professional advice before you implement any DIY fixes, no matter how confident you are. They can direct you toward the best solution, or they may visit your workplace to rectify the situation themselves.

As you can see, these machines are an incredibly useful piece of technology, and are critical to the production of a vast number of items, products and parts. Offering versatility in both size and operation, they are a key tool for a wide range of industries – though ongoing maintenance is necessary to ensure their optimal performance. If you want to learn more about drying ovens and their features and benefits, then we recommend speaking with a nationally recognised supplier – especially if you’re considering investing in one for your business.

A leading supplier of environmental simulation and measurement equipment for more than 16 years, Simultech is the number one choice for industry and research sectors across Australia and New Zealand. They are proud to be suppliers of Weiss Technik, VotschTechnik, EKO and Maastricht Instruments, all of which have rock solid reputations within the industry. Their product range covers test chambers, heat technology/industrial ovens, bench top oven, sport and nutritional science, solar instruments and defence – the team are committed to helping their clients make the most appropriate choices for their intended application.