Boosting Automotive Production: Conveyor Oven for High-Throughput Annealing
LEWCO recently designed and manufactured a custom annealing oven for a Tier 1 automotive supplier. The vertical conveyor oven operates at a maximum temperature of 250°F. Unlike ovens designed for curing or melting, annealing ovens operate at relatively low temperatures to alter a material’s properties without changing its chemical composition. The controlled heating and cooling process relieves internal stresses and reduces part hardness before the next manufacturing process.
The vertical chain conveyor makes three horizontal passes through the oven and operates with varying preheat, soak, and cooling cycles before parts are unloaded by a robot. The system utilizes 35 trays, each measuring 10 feet long by just over 1.5 feet wide. Once production begins, trays continuously enter and exit the system, enabling uninterrupted operation for high throughput and maximum efficiency.
The electric oven is equipped with 108 kW of heating capacity and 8,000 CFM of airflow (two 4,000 CFM circulation fans). The cooling zone features a 3,500 CFM fan. During the cooling period, air is pulled through vents in the cooling zone wall, passes across the parts, and is discharged back into the plant. The system is designed to NFPA 86 Class B standards for applications that do not involve flammable volatiles or combustible materials.
LEWCO supplied a custom controls package that includes an Allen-Bradley PLC, a touchscreen HMI housed in a NEMA 12 enclosure, and 24 VDC relay outputs to communicate with the loading and unloading robots. The control panel was manufactured in LEWCO’s UL 508A Certified Panel Shop.
The conveyor oven includes access doors on both sides, allowing access through the air plenums. Insulated walls separate the heated chamber from the robotic load and unload stations, eliminating the need for doors in these areas. Light curtains protect each opening while maintaining safe operation.
With decades of experience in the automotive industry, LEWCO understands the demanding production schedules and strict quality standards required. Our custom-engineered industrial oven solutions deliver reliable operation, precise temperature control, and long service life to help manufacturers maintain consistent, efficient production.
