Epcon Industrial Systems is a global leader in industrial oven design and manufacturing, providing custom-engineered thermal processing solutions for a wide range of industries and applications. With over 48 years of expertise and more than 4,300 systems installed worldwide, Epcon specializes in batch and automated conveyorized ovens, delivering high-efficiency heating solutions tailored to the most demanding process requirements.
Batch vs. Conveyorized
Batch Ovens vs. Conveyorized Ovens: Which Configuration Fits Your Production?
The most important configuration decision for any industrial oven application is whether your production runs best in a batch (stop-and-go) process or a conveyorized (continuous) process. The answer depends on your production volume, part size, process time, and available floor space.
| Batch Ovens | Conveyorized Ovens | |
|---|---|---|
| How It Works | Parts are loaded, the oven cycles to temperature, holds for the required time, then cools before unloading | Parts move continuously through the oven on a conveyor at a controlled speed that determines time at temperature |
| Best For | Low-to-medium production volumes; large or complex parts; processes requiring precise soak time control; R&D and prototype runs | High-volume continuous production; uniform parts on a line; applications where throughput is the primary constraint |
| Typical Cycle Time | 30 minutes – 8 hours per load | Determined by conveyor speed and oven length; typically 5–60 minutes transit time |
| Floor Footprint | Smaller system footprint; larger total footprint when staging areas included | Longer overall footprint; smaller transverse footprint than batch for equivalent throughput |
| Temperature Uniformity | ±5°F standard; ±2°F achievable with recirculation systems | ±10°F standard in transit zones; tighter uniformity possible with zone control |
| Common Applications | Aerospace composite curing; large structural parts; heat treating; tooling | Automotive coatings; coil processing; electronics; high-volume powder coating |
| Epcon Configurations | Walk-in batch, truck-in, elevator, car-bottom | Belt conveyor, chain-on-edge, monorail, overhead conveyor |
Not sure which configuration fits your production?
Describe your application to our engineering team and we will recommend the optimal configuration.
Temperature & Specification Summary
Industrial Oven Specifications at a Glance
| Parameter | Standard Range | Custom Capability |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Temperature | 250°F – 1,200°F (120°C – 650°C) | Below 250°F for specialised drying; consult engineering |
| Temperature Uniformity | ±5°F across work zone (standard) | ±2°F achievable with precision recirculation |
| Chamber Dimensions | From 48" W × 48" H × 48" D to full-truck-in configurations | Unlimited — all chambers custom-fabricated to your part size |
| Heating Methods | Convection (forced air), radiation, direct-fired, indirect-fired | Combination heating available for complex applications |
| Fuel Options | Natural gas, LNG, electric, oil, steam, indirect-fired (burnerless) | Dual-fuel and fuel-conversion configurations available |
| Atmosphere | Ambient air standard | Inert atmosphere (nitrogen purge) available for solvent-bearing loads |
| Control Systems | PLC-based, with digital data logging and recipe management | SCADA integration, remote monitoring, Class I Div. 2 hazardous area |
| Compliance | NFPA 86, OSHA, NEC | UL, CE, ATEX available for export applications |
NFPA 86 Compliance: What It Means for Your Industrial Oven
NFPA 86 is the National Fire Protection Association standard that governs the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of industrial ovens and furnaces. Compliance with NFPA 86 is mandatory in most US jurisdictions and is a requirement for insurance underwriting in most industrial facilities.
Every Epcon industrial oven is designed to NFPA 86 from the ground up. This means:
- Combustion safety controls: Automated flame supervision, purge cycles, and gas valve interlocks in accordance with NFPA 86 requirements.
- Ventilation and explosion relief: Ductwork sizing, explosion relief panels, and fresh air ventilation calculated to NFPA 86 dilution requirements for the specific solvent load in your application.
- Electrical classification: Electrical and control systems comply with NEC Article 500 for hazardous locations where applicable.
- Documentation: Each Epcon oven is delivered with NFPA 86 compliance documentation, P&ID drawings, electrical schematics, and an operations and maintenance manual.
Planning a facility inspection or insurance review
Contact our engineering team for a compliance checklist specific to your application.
How to Order a Custom Industrial Oven from Epcon
Submit your process requirements
Tell us your application (curing, drying, heat treating, etc.), temperature set point, load size and weight, production volume, and fuel preference. A brief description or even a sketch is enough to start. Submit a requirements enquiry →
Engineering review and proposal
Within five business days, an Epcon applications engineer will contact you to clarify your requirements and prepare a technical proposal, including system schematic, recommended configuration, performance specifications, and project schedule.
Design and fabrication.
Upon purchase order, Epcon's engineering team produces a full set of fabrication drawings for your approval before manufacturing begins. Typical build time is 16–26 weeks depending on system complexity.
Factory acceptance testing (FAT).
Every system is fully assembled, heated to operating temperature, and tested against your specification at Epcon's Conroe, Texas facility before shipment. You are welcome to witness the FAT in person.
Installation, commissioning, and training
Epcon's field team installs the system at your facility, commissions to your process parameters, and provides operator training. Commissioning sign-off is your confirmation that the system performs to specification.
Link to Pages
Explore Industrial Oven Types
OUR PROCESS
You can contact us via phone, email, chat or by filling out a detailed quote online to begin the process. From there we will assign a sales and applications engineer to review your request and work with you to evaluate your process and operating demands, to develop the optimal custom technology solution.
Everything we design and manufacture is custom, so delivery times will vary based on the scale and complexity of the systems required. During the initial evaluation, our sales & applications engineers will be able to estimate the project timeline from initial concept to start-up.
Our Commissioning team will be onsite to not only oversee the installation and startup process, but also train your operators. We offer a range of after sales services, from preventative maintenance and spare parts programs, to global 24/7 in field service technical support to make sure your systems never experience costly downtime.
OUR COMMITMENT
After 48+ Years in business, and 4000+ systems operating across industries worldwide, Epcon's reputation is built on our commitment to quality work and dedication to our customers. Our success is grounded in repeat business. When you choose Epcon, you choose a supplier you can trust.
What We Can Do
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Dedicated Project Managers & Service Teams
Epcon offers turn-key systems, with an experienced applications engineers working with you every step of the way, to ensure our installed system exceed your expectations. Wherever you are in the world, our on-call service team is available 24/7 to ensure your equipment always performs at 100% .
