A cleanroom oven will be used for final cure of hard-coated optical lenses. Designed and shipped by Grieve Corp., Round Lake, Ill., the 350°F (177°C) electric oven has 60 kW installed in Incoloy-sheathed tubular heating elements. A 6,000-cfm, 5-hp recirculating blower provides horizontal airflow to the workload.

The oven was designed to tightly control temperature and humidity during thermal processing. It includes a dewpoint sensor and steam humidifier. Controls include a digital programming temperature controller to control temperature and humidity. A manual-reset, excess-temperature interlock with separate contactors and an SCR power controller also are installed.

In addition, all safety equipment for handling flammable solvents, including explosion-venting door hardware and a powered forced exhauster, are incorporated. It was built with NFPA 79 electrical construction.