Custom Conveyor Oven for an Electrical Power Distribution Manufacturer
LEWCO recently delivered a custom conveyor oven to a manufacturer of electrical power distribution equipment. The customer required a solution to dry Capacitive Voltage Transformer (CVT) bases before the oil-filling stage of production. The main challenge was designing a conveyor system that maximizes production while fitting within a limited facility footprint. As the only U.S. manufacturer offering both standard conveyor and industrial oven product lines, LEWCO was uniquely positioned to provide a complete, single-source solution.
LEWCO engineered a custom conveyor oven system featuring an infeed with Chain Driven Live Roller (CDLR) conveyors, pop-up transfers, and five lanes of drag chain conveyor. Utilizing indexing controls, the system automatically routes CVT bases from the infeed to the transfer conveyors, and into one of the five chain conveyor processing lanes. Each lane contains 12 indexing positions, allowing up to 60 units to be processed within the oven at one time. The conveyance equipment operates at speeds up to 30 feet per minute.
The oven was designed to meet the strict requirements of NFPA 86 Class A. It utilizes a vertical down airflow design that directs heat into the CVT bases to ensure heat uniformity. Designed to operate at temperatures up to 350°F, the oven features a 360 kW heater bank and two high-capacity circulation fans delivering a combined airflow of 40,000 CFM. This design ensures consistent heat distribution throughout the workspace, promoting temperature uniformity and product quality.
To simplify operation and enhance safety, LEWCO supplied a custom controls package that includes a Siemens PLC with Touchscreen HMI, which was pre-programmed for accumulation and indexing functionalities. There is also a Eurotherm Nanodac which has continuous datalogging of process temperature. The panel was designed by LEWCO electrical engineers and made in LEWCO’s UL 508A certified panel shop.
LEWCO’s estimating accuracy played an important role in the project’s development. During the quotation stage, LEWCO’s application engineer created a preliminary layout that matched the final engineered system dimensions within one inch. This accuracy allowed the customer to proceed with confidence, knowing the system would fit within the available space.
Beyond the equipment itself, LEWCO’s commitment to customer service, project management, and technical support helped ensure a successful outcome. By supplying the ovens, conveyors, and controls as a fully integrated solution, LEWCO simplified project execution and reduced coordination challenges for the customer.
According to the customer:
“This project significantly improved our process efficiency and reduced manual operations through automation. LEWCO’s technical expertise, customer-focused approach, and strong project management truly set them apart.”
This project highlights LEWCO’s ability to deliver custom solutions that integrate ovens, conveyors, and controls into a seamless turnkey solution. When manufacturers face complex process challenges, demanding specifications, and space constraints, LEWCO provides the engineering expertise and proven experience needed to deliver results.
Contact LEWCO to get your custom industrial oven quote today!
