Optimal design of radiation paint cure ovens using a novel objective function

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to model radiation ovens and to propose a method capable of designing this kind of oven for the paint curing application. Providing a uniform cure condition on the body, especially bodies of complicated geometries, needs accurately‐designed ovens. An algorithm with high speed and high convergence capability is the most serious requirement for designing ovens of this kind.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the state of the art in dynamic optimisation of radiation paint cure ovens is reviewed and a novel objective function, based on paint cure window, is proposed to be applied for designing radiation ovens. It has been shown that the proper definition of the objective function in such problems makes the mathematical model more robust and hence facilitates the convergence of the design iterations.

Findings

The computational results provide some information regarding the design space topology and show that the proposed objective function speeds up the convergence of the design procedure by an order of magnitude as compared to the currently used industrial‐standard objective function.

Practical implications

Determination of curing condition is an important requirement for designing a new oven or changing the working condition of an existing oven. In this research, a practical method is proposed for improving design procedure of cure ovens to make the method both time and cost efficient. The method is specifically implemented on paint cure ovens.

Originality/value

The quality of cured paint is usually a prominent issue that directly takes influence from the curing condition of ovens. For the complex geometries of curing body in commonly designed ovens, some areas are not properly cured or may be burnt. This issue is a significant defect in coating industry. Designing ovens with the proposed method in this paper guaranties the provided curing condition by the oven and therefore the curing quality.

Citation

Mehdipour, R., Aghanajafi, C. and Ashrafizadeh, A. (2012), "Optimal design of radiation paint cure ovens using a novel objective function", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 41 No. 4, pp. 240-250. https://doi.org/10.1108/03699421211242473