FOR THE INDUSTRIAL FINISHER CONCERNED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE, PRODUCTIVITY, AND QUALITY, INFRARED (IR) TECHNOLOGY OFFERS A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL DRYING AND CURING PROCESSES. MANY MANUFACTURERS HAVE CONSIDERED A CONVERSION TO WATER-BASED PAINTS OR POWDER COATINGS, MATERIALS THAT ARE MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY COMPATIBLE. THESE PRODUCTS REQUIRE A CONSIDERABLY LONGER TIME TO DRY OR CURE, WHICH CAN BE OVERCOME BY USING AN IR OVEN SYSTEM. IR TECHNOLOGY ACTS DIRECTLY ON THE COATING AND CURES IT FROM THE BOTTOM UP. THE OVERALL EFFECTS OF THIS TECHNOLOGY ARE TO GREATLY REDUCE CURING/DRYING TIME REQUIREMENTS, PERMITTING FASTER LINE SPEEDS, AND TO ALLOW THE MANUFACTURER A HIGH DEGREE OF PROCESS CONTROL. FURTHERMORE, THE RAPID, CONTROLLED CURE AFFORDED BY THE IR PROCESS OFTEN LEADS TO HIGHER QUALITY FINISHES.